How to Turn a Flat Sheet Into a Full Kitchen Linen Set

Tern and Tangled Vine

Flat sheets are one of the most overlooked fabric sources in the homestead. They’re wide, inexpensive, already pre-washed, and come in more colors and prints than most fabric aisles. One king-sized flat sheet can become an entire coordinated kitchen linen set—placemats, napkins, tea towels, and even a table runner—at a fraction of the cost of buying yardage.

Here’s how to turn a single flat sheet into a polished, durable kitchen set you’ll actually use.

What You’ll Need

• One flat sheet (queen or king gives you the most fabric)
• Sharp fabric scissors or rotary cutter
• Quilting ruler
• Iron and ironing board
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread
• Optional: batting if you want quilted placemats

Step 1: Prep the Sheet

Sheets have heavy hems. Cut those off first so you can work with clean, square fabric. Press the sheet well—wrinkles in cutting = crooked pieces later. If the sheet is older or thrifted, wash it on hot to pre-shrink.

Step 2: Cut Your Pieces

Here are the standard kitchen linen sizes:

Tea Towels (set of 2–3): 16" × 26"
Dinner Napkins (set of 6–8): 18" × 18" or 20" × 20"
Placemats (set of 4–6): 12" × 18"
Table Runner: 14" × desired length
Bonus: Pot Holders (set of 2): 8" × 8" squares with batting

Your sheet will give you plenty of fabric—far more than you expect.

Cut everything using a rotary cutter and square ruler so your edges stay crisp.

Step 3: Tea Towels (Fastest Win)

Press all four edges under ½ inch, then under again for a clean double fold. Mitering the corners makes it look professional and prevents bulk.

Sew around the entire perimeter with a straight stitch. Tea towels are done.

Step 4: Dinner Napkins (The Elegant One)

For napkins, a narrow hem looks refined.

Press edges ¼ inch, then ¼ inch again. Miter corners. Sew slowly along the edge for smooth, invisible stitching. Repeat for all napkins.

If your sheet has a subtle print or stripe, match napkin directions for a coordinated look.

Step 5: Placemats (Optional Quilted Version)

Cut 12" × 18" rectangles. If you want quilted placemats:

1. Cut batting pieces the same size.

2. Layer top fabric, batting, and backing fabric (another cut from the sheet).

3. Quilt straight lines or a simple crosshatch.

4. Bind with self-binding technique or sew right-sides-together and turn.

If you want simple, unquilted placemats, use the napkin method: double-fold hem all sides and sew.

Step 6: Table Runner (The Showpiece)

Measure your table and add 8–10 inches so it drapes nicely.

Hem all edges using the same method as the tea towels or napkins. If the sheet fabric is plain, consider adding a stitched grid or simple decorative topstitching down the length.

Step 7: Optional Scrap Project

You will almost always have leftover pieces

Ideas:
• potholders
• mug rugs
• silverware pockets
• small bread basket liner
• reversible trivets

Nothing wasted.

Step 8: Press Everything

This is the step most people skip, and it’s why their handmade linens look… homemade. Pressing after sewing sharpens corners, flattens seams, and gives everything a professional finish.

Step 9: Enjoy Your Full Set

From one sheet, you can easily make:
• 2–3 tea towels
• 6–8 dinner napkins
• 4–6 placemats
• 1 table runner
• 2 potholders
• misc. small accessories

Coordinated, cohesive, and beautifully simple.