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This is the way I’m feeling right now. Thank you, math and sneaky fabrics. Thank you for making me feel like a complete moron who made a HUGE mistake.
For realsies, ladies, I use basic sewing math at work every day. I buy fabric ALL the time. I KNOW the drill, and yet I somehow managed to SCREW IT UP.
So, remember all the pretty fabrics I bought to make napkins? If you don’t, here’s a refresher…
The fabrics I purchased came from the quilting section of the store. Most of the bolts of fabric in the quilting section come in 45-inch widths. My plan was to make napkins that were a square of 15 x 15 inches. What does this mean? Well, it means that to make eight napkins I need a piece of fabric that’s 45 inches wide by 45 inches long. Being a person who always likes to buy a little bit extra (just in case the cutting-table lady cuts you short, etc.), I bought one-and-a-half yards (54 inches) of 45-inch fabric. Perfect.
Or so I thought.
I completely forgot that some quilting fabrics do not come in 45-inch bolts. They are sneaky and mean and come in 42-inch or 43-inch bolts instead. I made a rookie mistake and just had the fabric cut under the assumption that it would all be 45 inches wide. GAH! This means I’m short by a mere few inches on some of them! ARGH!
On the bright side, not all of the fabric is wrong. Some of it was fabric I already owned and I know I have plenty. Others are fine because they were 45 inches wide.
So, here’s the dilemma. I can use what I have, do some fancy maths, cut them into rectangles, and as Tim Gunn would say, “make it work.” I could also go to the fabric stores, cross my fingers and search for the fabric I’m short on, and buy the amount I’m missing. Math makes my brain hurt, though, so I’m leaning toward going on the hunt.
What would you do?
I say, in the immortal words of the fabulously, amazing Tim Gunn “make it work.” This is probably influenced by my adoration of Tim Gunn.
Make it work. If you have a bolt 42 inches wide and you cut it in thirds like you would for a 45 inch bolt, you’re only 1 inch short per napkin. I seriously doubt anyone would notice that a napkin is 14×15 rather than 15×15 unless they laid them one on top of the other (and who does that).
Your other option is to just make all of the napkins 14×14.
No one will notice if the napkins are not completely square or slightly different from each other, so I also agree with the wonderful Tim Gunn, make it work. Good luck and don’t let the napkins stress you out too much!
These are the things that make brides crazy. You want perfect 15×15 napkins. But the reality is that nobody will notice your napkins in the way that you want people to notice the napkins. They will not notice all the hours you spent on cutting and edging the napkins. And they certainly won’t notice a couple of inches missing– Make it work!
[...] Grrrrrrr, Math Makes My Brain Hurt | Weddingbee weddingbee.com/2011/01/06/diy-sewing-projects/ – view page – cached This is the way I’m feeling right now. Thank you, math and sneaky fabrics. Thank you for making me feel like a complete moron who made a HUGE [...]
I’m making napkins 15×15 because of the same issue. I’d be dumbfounded if anyone noticed.
I think you should go 14×14 on all the napkins if you’re worried about what people will think.
Alternatives: What about a border of a solid color on those that are short? Are you making them two ply or is the back side going to show the reverse side of the fabric? What about finishing with ribbon tape to be the extra length?
No one will notice the 14×14 but you.
just make some of them smaller. believe me. no one notices… we did the same thing in interest of making it easy!
just make them smaller (but still square, so they fold the same way the other ones will). No need spending more time and money on them.
Nothing makes me feel more stupid than when I mess up a pattern or the measurements on a printed piece (I’m a designer). So I always overbuy on fabric/paper because it’s easy to make those kinds of mistakes. Luckily most things can be fixed or adjusted and not many people will notice the difference.
I’d say if you have to make some smaller ones then just be sure to put them all on the same table - then no one will notice the size difference.
Whatever you chose to do, I’m sure the napkins will come out great! Your illustration is perfect, by the way. I’ve hit that pose a number of times when math is involved. 
I agree not one will notice the difference if you make them a tad smaller, either way i am sure it will be great!!
Make it work!!! You can do it. No one will even notice if their napkin is slightly off. And if they do - they’ll probably think you did it on purpose to give your wedding quirky character!
I agree with everyone else and think the easiest thing would be to make a few or all smaller 14 x 14. But if you don’t like that you can always buy 1in ribbon and sew a border around the squares that just shy of 15 x 15. GOOD LUCK I’m sure they’ll turn out great.
Make it work! No one will notice if some of them aren’t exactly the same size as others!
Thanks for all of your feedback! You guys rock! I am going to “make it work” and do the 14×14, ’cause like you all said…nobody will notice or care. 
we did our napkins 14×14, and they were PLENTY big enough… and we had a wopping 320 to make.
It will be fine!
I agree with all the PP’s, just make them 14×14! ours are 12×12 and they are plenty big enough!
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Mrs. Waffle, Austin Age and Occupation: 31, Costumer/Artist Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Animator Engagement Date: July 27, 2010 Wedding Date: June 2011 Venue: Hummingbird House About Me: My life is pretty much spent in a sea of fabric, paint, sequins and drama. When I’m not working, I play on a trivia team, take Broadway dance classes, read, buy shoes, and occasionally geek out on video games. I am an American girl who loves all things British and Mr. Waffle is a Brit who loves all things American...I guess it was meant to be!
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