We enjoy hosting dinner parties. Be it in the backyard, at the kitchen table or around the formal dining room table. Good food. Good company. And a delightful atmosphere are all the ingredients for fabulous entertaining. A memorable table setting can also completely set the mood. So … we have a simple silverware pocket tutorial for you!
Something as simple as a silverware pocket can add a touch of elegance or a bit of shabby chic! With a yard of fabric, minimal experience and a little bit of time, these pockets are easy to make. And if you have any question, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Supplies for 12 silverware pockets:
- 1 yard fabric (pre-washed before measurement and at least 44 inches wide)
- Thread that matches the fabric
- Straight Pins
- Pencil or Fabric Marking Pen
- Ruler
- Sewing Scissors
- Sewing machine (straight stitch only)
With your fabric folded (like it comes off the bolt), using a ruler, measure and mark twelve 4 1/2 inch strips. (The fold is on the bottom of the photo with the selvedge out of the photo at the top) After evening up the ends of your fabric yard, you should have 6 – 8 strips marked.
Carefully cut along marking making sure to keep the strips even and straight. Because your fabric is folded/doubled, you are cutting two strips at one time. Each with the fabric wrong-side to wrong-side.
Cut each strip at the fold. You should now have 12 – 16 strips each measuring at least 18 inches in length. (depending on the width of your fabric. If it was 44 inches wide (unfolded) then each strip will be 22 inches long.
Trim selvedge end so that each strip measures 18 inches long. Now each strip should measure 18 inches by 4 1/2 inches.
Measure and mark 1 inch from one end of the fabric strip. I use a Cardboard Fabric Cutting Board. I’ve been using one while sewing for over 40 years. I mark on it. Write important measurements on it for future reference. I poke pins in it. I love it!
Using the measured marks, fold fabric over 1 inch wrong side to wrong side. Secure with pins.
Measure and mark 3 inches at the opposite end.
Using the measured marks, fold fabric over 3 inches right side to right side. Secure with pins.
And now you’re ready to sew!
First, using a straight stitch, sew along the raw edge of the 1 inch fold.
Now, using a straight stitch, sew 3/8 – 1/2 in from side raw edges of the 3 inch folded end. You’ll be forming a pocket.
Slightly trim only the top corner end.
Turn the 3 inch pocket end right side out.
Fold side raw edges in 1/2 inch and press with an iron. Press edges of top 3 inch pocket and bottom 1 inch hem.
And now to form the actual silverware pocket! Fold fabric strip 5 to 6 inches overlapping the hemmed edge by at least 1/2 inch. Carefully press fold and edges with a hot iron.
Secure with pins. And as you can see, I’m big on marking everything for precision. Even on my ironing board! That is where the disappearing ink of a Fabric Marking Pen comes in handy.
Carefully, keeping your sewing straight and even, using a straight stitch, sew along the edges of the flap forming the actual silverware pocket.
Voila!
Place your silverware/flatware in the pocket. Place on the silverware pockets on or next to the plates.
Tie with ribbon, jute or leave them simple and elegant. The possibilities are endless depending on your fabric choice and embellishments!
Enjoy!!
Jean says
This looks like a lovely and relatively easy project. I’m always looking for ways to make holidays special for my daughters. I can see making these in different holiday and seasonal fabrics. My girls would probably even help fill them with flatware!
Rosie says
These are adorable! I’m thinking of doing something likes this for Thanksgiving with a holiday theme! They really add pizazz!
Sunnymay says
Love the fabric you chose and think this would make a great hostess gift, wedding gift or any occasion gift depending on the fabric. Following the seasonal themes and using up bits of fabric, this is a green project.