Another engaging idea I learned from the lunch making DVD is to offer fun napkins to use. You can make the napkin match the theme, if you are doing a lunch theme that day, or just have charming patterns and pictures that your child enjoys. Nugget happens to like fire engines, Spiderman, and other boyish things, so I found some cute ones at Jo-Ann Fabric. The one pictured (left) I am particularly fond of because it includes so many realistic items. And how can you not love the old school engine?Jo-Ann Fabric had bins of scraps that you can pick through, but I had the best luck with the quilting squares. The quilting squares are bundles of 4 to 6 swatches that I can cut into two napkins using pinking shears. I used a sewing machine to tuck the edges under on one napkin. In reality, I never sew and have no idea what I'm doing. After spending way too long on one measly napkin, I concluded there must be an easier way. The easier way is to have grandma do it. But until I can get them in the mail to grandma (thank you! thank you!) along with her next batch of grandchild artwork, I trim the edges with the pinking shears and most of the frays are kept at bay.
The napkins are also a nice alternative for folks wanting to reduce the waste generated from paper napkins (and on a side note, there is always room in the washing machine for another napkin, so using more wash water is a non-issue).
My only initial concern was that Nugget would lose the napkins, but it hasn't happened yet. I cannot say that he necessarily uses the napkins (he's been wearing long sleeves, after all), but I figure it's a fun visual addition and more importantly, it's there if he needs it.
3 comments:
I am loving your blog and this is giving me high hopes that I will one day be able to pack a decent lunch for my kid (first he needs all his teeth).
I wanted to give you another shortcut for doing the edges of your napkins...hemming tape. This is iron-in hemming tape you can also get at Jo-Ann's (or Michael's or wherever). I use it to do my pants but it could be used for this as well.
That is an excellent shortcut, and I'm so glad you shared. Thanks for the tip, I had no idea a hemming tape (iron-on, no less) even existed!
Hemming tape is great stuff (you could also use bias strips or ribbon, which has the built-in edge) but it doesn't hold up all that well over time on a high use item--and with this print, Nugget will be inspired to use frequently!
If you're going to pink the edges (if you have a nice pair of pinking shears a clean edge can last a long while on 100% cotton), you might also consider using Fray Check to your cut edge. It's fairly toxic smelling, which makes me doubt you would use it, but I'm prtty sure this is one of the many paints, chemicals, etc which are only icky when volatile, and rendered harmless once they cure.
If you can sew a straight seam, you can definitely pick up speed and crank these things out yourself in no time..but if Grandma's willing, why not?
Post a Comment