Linen and Cotton Napkins with Hemstitch, Set of 6, Cloth Napkins for Tables and Festive Occasions

Paper napkins that fall apart on the first wipe and end up in the trash after a meal – when discount cotton napkins lie stiff and flat on the plate, making every set table look the same

The table is set, the plates are in place, and then next to each place setting lies a folded piece of paper that tears on the first touch. For a Sunday roast, a Christmas dinner, or a birthday with eight people, that just doesn't work. While inexpensive cotton napkins are washable, they lie stiff and flat on the plate, don't hold a fold, and look faded after two washes. If you want to set a table that looks stylish even without expensive dinnerware, you need fabric that has texture and drapes well. These linen and cotton napkins with a hemstitch combine an open decorative seam at the edge with a soft, naturally draping fabric – for festive tables as well as for weeknight dinners.

What makes these napkins different

• Hemstitch as an all-around decorative seam – in this process, individual threads are pulled from the fabric and the remaining ones are gathered into an open pattern; this creates the fine open line parallel to the edge, which immediately makes a set table look stylish without the need for additional decoration.
• Linen drapes instead of lying flat – the stronger fiber gives the fabric body, so a folded napkin holds its shape on the plate and doesn't collapse; this is precisely where thin cotton napkins fail, as they immediately lose any fold.
• Absorbent natural material – linen absorbs liquid quickly and releases it just as quickly, which means the napkin won't feel damp in your hand during a long meal.
• Washable and therefore permanently reusable – instead of ending up in the trash after every meal, the napkins go into the wash and return to the table; over a year with regular guests, one set replaces several hundred paper napkins.
• Four sizes for different occasions – 50 × 50 cm (19.7 × 19.7 inches) for large tables, 45 × 45 cm (17.7 × 17.7 inches) as a standard size, 20 × 20 cm (7.9 × 7.9 inches) as a cocktail napkin, and 35 × 50 cm (13.8 × 19.7 inches) as a placemat; each size is supplied as a set of six.
• Subtle natural tones without patterns – the unpatterned surface pairs well with dark stoneware as well as white porcelain and does not need to match the dinnerware, but rather complements it.

Who it's for

For anyone who regularly entertains guests and wants to set a table stylishly without much effort. For Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and New Year's Eve, when the table remains set longer than usual. For birthdays, baptisms, confirmations, and family celebrations at home. For small weddings and engagement dinners. For Sunday dinners with the family, when the table should look different from weekdays. For people who want to use fewer disposable products in their household for environmental reasons. For homes with a Scandinavian, country house, or natural material style, where printed paper napkins would look out of place. For holiday apartments, small guesthouses, and bed and breakfasts that want to enhance the breakfast table. For cafes, wine bars, and small restaurants with set tables. For food photography, styling, and market stalls. As a gift for a housewarming, wedding, or Christmas, especially in combination with dinnerware or a bottle of wine. Important selection note: Each size is sold separately as a set of 6 – so napkins and placemats are individual orders and not combined in one package. Before purchasing, consider the table size: on a table with narrow place settings, the 50 × 50 cm size can quickly appear bulky, while 45 × 45 cm remains understated on large tables. The 20 × 20 cm cocktail napkin is intended for glasses, aperitifs, and finger food, not as a replacement for a main course napkin.

Washing, ironing, proper storage

Wash the napkins separately before first use, as new natural fibers can release color and shrink slightly during the first wash; after that, the dimensions will match the final size. Wash at 30 to 40 °C (86 to 104 °F) on a gentle cycle with similar colors. Do not use fabric softener, as it permanently reduces the absorbency of linen and negates the very property for which the material is chosen. Do not use bleach or detergents with optical brighteners for the natural-colored variant. Do not overfill the drum to prevent the hemstitch edge from distorting. Remove promptly after washing and hang to dry, as linen wrinkles particularly easily when wet. Do not tumble dry; heat makes the fibers brittle and can cause the open seam to unravel over time. Air dry in the shade, not in direct sunlight, as light natural tones can otherwise fade unevenly. To smooth, iron the napkins while slightly damp, on medium to high heat from the back; the hemstitch should lie flat and not be stretched with the tip of the iron. If you like the naturally crinkled linen look, you can skip ironing – the napkins are designed for this. Rinse red wine, oil, and sauce stains with cold water as soon as possible before they dry; hot water permanently sets protein and grease stains in the fabric. Do not stack or place in the laundry basket when damp, as light natural fibers can quickly develop mildew stains. Store ironed and flat in the cupboard, not sharply folded permanently, to prevent the edges from chafing through. If there are loose threads on the hemstitch, do not pull them, but trim them flush to prevent the seam from opening further.

For anyone who wants to set a table where guests linger longer than planned.