DIY Linen Dinner Napkin Cost Calculator

Find out if sewing your own linen napkins saves money per set.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much linen fabric do I need per dinner napkin?
A standard 18" × 18" finished dinner napkin requires cutting a 21" × 21" square to allow for a 1.5" double-folded hem on each edge. On a 44"-wide bolt you can cut two napkins across, giving about four napkins per yard. On a 60"-wide bolt you can cut three across, yielding roughly six napkins per yard.
Do I need a serger to make linen napkins?
No. A mitered corner hem using a standard sewing machine looks equally polished and is the traditional method. The mitered fold tucks all raw edges inside and creates crisp, flat corners with no visible serging.
What type of linen is best for dinner napkins?
Medium-weight washed linen (around 145–185 g/m²) is ideal. Pre-washed or stonewashed linen has already gone through the shrinkage and softening process, so it feels comfortable right away. Avoid stiff, unwashed linen for napkins.
Is DIY linen napkins actually cheaper than buying them?
Usually yes. A set of six DIY napkins typically costs $18–$35 in materials vs. $40–$90 for a comparable store-bought set. Even at premium European linen prices of $25+ per yard, DIY tends to come out ahead at six napkins or more.
How do I estimate the amortized machine cost per napkin?
Take the total cost of your sewing machine or serger, estimate how many napkins you'll make over its lifetime, then divide. A $350 serger used for 500 napkins adds only $0.70 per napkin. If you already own a machine and use it regularly, enter $0 or a very small figure like $0.10.

Is Sewing Your Own Linen Napkins Worth It?

Linen napkins have had a serious moment in the home-entertaining world. They feel luxurious, soften beautifully with each wash, and look elegant at any table setting. But a set of six from a boutique home goods store can run $40 to $90, and quality European linen sets push even higher.

The math depends on three things: how much you pay for linen yardage, how many napkins you squeeze out of that fabric, and whether you factor in the cost of a sewing machine or serger. A standard dinner napkin is cut at about 20" × 20" before hemming, so a 44"-wide bolt yields two napkins across and roughly four napkins per yard. At $14 per yard, your fabric cost is about $3.50 per napkin — and a set of six costs about $21 in fabric alone. Add $0.25–$0.50 for thread and your DIY set comes in well under $25, versus $60 at a linen boutique.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Linen Yardage

  • Buy 60"-wide linen when you can — you get three napkins across per cut and fewer wasted scraps.
  • Pre-wash before cutting — linen shrinks 5–8% the first time.
  • Cut 21" × 21" for a finished 18" × 18" napkin after a double-folded hem.
  • Use a mitered corner for a professional finish that requires no serger.