We’re coming up on Plastic-Free July, folks! In the spirit of reducing our reliance on single-use items more generally, I thought I’d introduce a new kind of blog post: the Something Different Upcycled product profile. These posts will provide more in-depth information about a particular product (or products, in this case) than is found in the product descriptions in the shop. I’ll include some backstory about why I made them and where the fabric comes from. Look for product profile posts here on the blog about once a month or so, beginning with this week’s products, our reusable napkins and multipurpose cloths.
In the past, certainly in the tradition I grew up with, I think that there was this idea that cloth napkins were only for special occasions or fancy restaurants. If you used cloth at home, it needed to be at least ironed, possibly with some starch, to keep them looking ‘appropriate.’ Things have changed, thank goodness. We can choose to do things a bit differently, beginning with choosing reusables over single-use for everyday use, at home and on the go. I made these napkins and multipurpose cloths for exactly this reason.
(Side note: see the Important Note at the bottom of this post for a comment on cultural and generational context.)
What else should you know about Something Different Upcycled’s napkins and reusable cloths?
Well, the first thing is that I may have more of the fabric that you like! It’s worth asking if you want more pieces than are currently showing as available in the shop. Or maybe you’d prefer a different size or shape. This is especially true of the multipurpose cloths.
You should also know…
This is probably the most important thing: the napkins and the multipurpose cloths are made to be durable and easy to care for. There’s no need to be precious about them since they’re not detailed or made of a difficult-to-care-for fibre. They are made to be used in place of ‘disposable,’ single-use items but, you know, reusable. Stain-treat if you like but stains aren’t really a big deal. Just USE them! The prototypes are still going strong with minimal staining after nearly 4 years (napkins) and 18 months (multipurpose cloths).
Check out the Product Care page if you’d like more information. That page also includes suggestions about what to do once they’ve reached the end of their life as napkins or multipurpose cloths. And have a look at this post for ideas about how to work reusable napkins into your everyday routine. Keep in mind that the multipurpose cloths can be treated in the same way!
How are the napkins and multipurpose cloths the same?
Size: approx. 23x23cm or 9x9in
Type of fibre used: cotton
Finishing: overlocked edges
Source of fabric: all thrifted, deadstock, and/or upcycled, like every item made for Something Different Upcycled
Both the napkins and the multipurpose cloths can be used for a range of purposes: as zero-waste napkins on the go or at home, reusable wipes, cleaning cloths, handkerchiefs (multipurpose cloths are particularly good for children because they are so soft), gift wrap for small items.
How do you use your cloth napkins and multipurpose cloths? Share in the comments below!
How are they different?
Absorbency: multipurpose cloths handle spills better
Fabrics: multipurpose cloths are flannel, which makes them softer to the touch
Previous life of fabric: napkins are mostly cut from other items, such as dinner napkins, table cloths, vintage sheets, and the like. The multipurpose cloths are mostly made from thrifted but previously unused lengths of cloth
The napkins are available in several weights of fabric. That means that some may be suitable for pocket squares or for use as more traditional handkerchiefs, while others are best suited for use as reusable napkins.
If you’re interested in using the napkins as handkerchiefs or pocket squares but aren’t sure which are best for this, message me here or on Etsy. I’m happy to send along any information or photos to help you decide.
The backstory
The idea for Something Different Upcycled as a business was hatched at around the same time that my child started school a few years ago. Because our family has used cloth napkins at home for many years, I wanted to include reusable napkins in his daily lunch kit. What we had available were all just TOO BIG for a 5 year old’s hands. The obvious solution was smaller napkins.
Then I spent some time thinking about how we all actually use napkins (yes, I also spent some time watching people eat in food courts). It occurred to me that full-sized dinner napkins, like we use at home, are a bit big for adult zero-waste lunch kits too. We’re not often using napkins at lunch to cover our laps, as is the intended use of large dinner napkins. Instead, we’re often just wiping our mouths and hands on a napkin that sits on the table beside our meal. For my family, this is true for most meals at home as well as on the go.
The idea for the multipurpose cloths began as an experiment in making upcycled reusable cleaning cloths. I started with a piece of flannel that I found in a thrift store. They’re great for cleaning up spills and wiping things clean! AND they’re just SO SOFT that I couldn’t help but imagine them as reusable wipes for kids’ noses and hands. Really, they’re soft for everyone’s noses because there are few things more unpleasant when you’ve got a runny nose than rough paper against it. They’re the same size as the napkins because I imagined that they could sometimes be used fairly interchangeably.
Important note:
Napkin use is a tremendously culturally- and probably also generationally- dependent practice. I’m writing here only about my observations, which are based largely on the practices I grew up with. Perhaps you grew up using napkins or cloths in a different way at meals than I’ve described here. If you’re comfortable sharing, please let me know in the comments or send me a message about what your experience has been!
Or tell me about how things have changed for you with respect to the use of napkins at meals. For example, although I grew up putting a napkin in my lap, even if it was almost always paper, that is not a practice that we have at my home now. Maybe you grew up without using napkins at all and now you do – tell me! I think this sort of thing is fascinating. I feel like there’s a textile/domestic practice/everyday history conversation that could pop up here…bring it on! Let’s start a conversation in the comments!
So that’s that on Something Different Upcycled’s napkins and multipurpose cloths! Did I miss anything? Have a question? Let me know in the comments below or send me a message.