Cloth napkins are one of life's little luxuries, like a pretty placemat or a tablecloth on a bare table. I want Miss Abigail to have at least a few cloth napkins in her hope chest. Many people don't take the trouble to dress the table for everyday. Holidays, birthdays and recognizing special milestones are usually an occasion for setting a special table, but everyday meals are overlooked most of the time. But I would like to argue that even the most humble of dinners can be made a little more special by using a pretty cloth napkin.
Cloth napkins were used regularly until the middle of the last century when paper napkins, which require no washing or ironing, became more popular. It was and is an affordable convenience and, like so many other things, it saved time. Most people now don't own cloth napkins, though some are using cloth napkins as a more ecological choice. But many people don't use any napkins at all. Many eat on the go or at the kitchen counter, and it's just too easy to reach for the paper towels if a napkin is necessary.
It's actually pretty easy to collect and use cloth napkins, especially if you liberate yourself from the traditional fussiness of using them. The notion that they belong at a fancy dinner party or that your grandmother would be shocked at the stains or wrinkles honestly need not apply in our day and time. Bright patterns or dark colors can hide the stains and ironing just reinforces the fussiness belief. Choose an soft, aged fabric and leave them rumpled. This has a casual appeal that is just right for an everyday meal. Have enough that you can just add them to your regular laundry. You can sew them yourself or buy them secondhand at antique stores or thrift stores.
I would like to assert that when we come together for a meal, a cloth napkin can elevate that time and make it more special. It doesn't have to seem fancy or be uncomfortable. It's just a little thing that can create a bigger moment and make life a little more beautiful.
