DIY Embroidered Cocktail Napkins – A Handmade Summer

This week for A Handmade Summer, I created the cutest embroidered cocktail napkins inspired by my favorite iconic cocktail glasses featuring bows, hearts, and golf motifs.

But instead of purchasing expensive hemstitched napkins, I decided to make my own. Not only was this project surprisingly easy, but the finished cocktail napkins look beautifully custom and perfectly coordinate with my glasses for summer entertaining. If you love embroidery, handmade details, and creative entertaining projects, this might become your new favorite DIY.

Two clear glasses and two white coasters with embroidered golf-themed designs are on a light wood table next to a bunch of pink artificial flowers.
Four images: a decorative glass ornament, a kitchen with flowers on the counter, a living room with white furniture, and a bowl of soup with scattered toppings.
Text reads "MY 100 YEAR OLD HOME | A HANDMADE SUMMER" in uppercase letters on a white background.

DIY Embroidered Cocktail Napkins

Two white handkerchiefs with pink embroidery are displayed on a light wood surface next to artificial pink roses and green leaves.

There is something about summer entertaining that always inspires me to make the little details feel extra special. Whether it is setting a pretty table, creating handmade decorations, or adding thoughtful touches for guests, I love finding ways to make gatherings feel personal and memorable.

This week for A Handmade Summer, I made the most adorable embroidered cocktail napkins to match my favorite iconic cocktail glasses, and honestly, I cannot stop smiling every time I see them.

Two clear glasses with heart designs are placed on a white surface in front of a window. Each glass sits on a small, scalloped-edge cloth coaster with pink embroidery.

I have three sets of glasses with fun, embroidery-inspired icons, including bows, hearts, and golf motifs. Every time I used them, I kept thinking how cute it would be to have matching cocktail napkins.

At first, I considered ordering custom embroidered hemstitched napkins online, but they are surprisingly expensive, especially when making multiple sets.

So I decided to make my own.

And guess what?

They were so much easier to make than I expected.

Two white, scallop-edged cloth napkins on a light wood surface; one has a golf flag and green, the other a golf cart. Artificial flowers are arranged in the upper right corner.

Not only did they turn out beautifully, but making your own embroidered cocktail napkins costs so much less than purchasing pre-made hemstitched napkins. Once I realized how simple the process was, I knew I would be making more for every season, holiday, and entertaining theme imaginable.

These cocktail napkins feel custom, elevated, and incredibly charming, yet they are actually very beginner-friendly if you have an embroidery machine.

Why I Love Handmade Embroidered Cocktail Napkins

Two white handkerchiefs with scalloped edges; one plain and one embroidered with a pink ribbon lattice pattern, placed beside pink artificial flowers on a light wooden surface.

One of my favorite things about handmade projects is creating something that feels unique and thoughtful.

Cocktail napkins are one of those little details guests always notice.

They instantly make drinks feel more festive and intentional, whether you are hosting a book club, a summer dinner party, a happy hour on the patio, or a casual gathering with friends.

And because these napkins coordinate perfectly with my glasses, they almost feel like something from a boutique gift shop or specialty entertaining store.

But they are handmade.

Which makes them even better.

A glass of water on a square white coaster with a small pink heart, next to artificial pink and red flowers on a light wood surface.

I especially love that these can be customized endlessly:

  • monograms
  • holiday themes
  • flowers
  • seasonal icons
  • beach motifs
  • sports themes
  • wedding gifts
  • hostess gifts

Honestly, once you start making embroidered cocktail napkins, it becomes hard to stop.

Stack of six light green embroidered cocktail napkins with scalloped edges, each featuring a martini glass stitched with a green olive and finished with a charming black bow.
Dunzoom 12 Pcs Martini Cocktail Napkins
Embroidered Cocktail Napkins featuring golf-themed designs like a cart, clubs, green, and bags are displayed on a dark surface beside a drink and pinecone, adding elegance to any gathering.
Golf Themed Cocktail Napkins
These Embroidered Cocktail Napkins feature four white napkins, each adorned with a cocktail glass and bow, outlined in pink, orange, yellow, and green.
Two’s Company Cheers Embroidered Cocktail Napkins
Two clear glass tumblers featuring small, raised dog designs with yellow spots on their sides—perfect for pairing with embroidered cocktail napkins at your next gathering.
 2 Pack Puppy Icon Juice Glasses
Two clear glasses decorated with bee illustrations, each containing a glass straw with a bee motif at the top, are placed on a table with small bee decorations and elegant embroidered cocktail napkins nearby.
2 Set Bee Icon Juice Glass Cups
Four white speckled glass tumblers, each decorated with colorful fruit designs including cherries, lemons, strawberries, and limes—perfect for pairing with your favorite embroidered cocktail napkins.
4 PCS 14 Ounce Icon Juice Glasses

Why I Decided to Make My Own Napkins

Two clear glasses with green golf-themed designs and two white cloth coasters, one with a golf green and flag, the other with a golf cart, on a white surface by a window.

Traditionally, embroidered cocktail napkins are made from hemstitched linen napkins purchased ready-made.

While they are beautiful, they can also be very expensive, especially if you need several sets.

So this time, I decided to try something completely different.

An embroidery machine stitching a white cloth with a pink bow and lattice pattern and a scalloped border.

Instead of purchasing finished cocktail napkins, I made the napkins entirely from scratch using:

  • white cotton fabric
  • tear-away stabilizer
  • spray adhesive
  • embroidery thread

And honestly, I may never buy pre-made cocktail napkins again.

Making them yourself is:

  • easier
  • faster
  • much less expensive
  • fully customizable

And the finished result looks incredibly professional.

A woman sits at a sewing machine in a well-organized craft room with shelves of fabric, thread, and supplies in the background.

Of course, I used my amazing Brother Dream Machine. I love that every time I take on a new project, I learn so many new things! This machine can do everything. Hehe.

I bought a pre-owned Brother Dream Machine from a local dealer and saved a lot of money. If you want a similar new machine, the Brother Stellaire 2 Innov-is XE2 Disney Embroidery Machine – 14″ x 9.5″ Field Size is the most similar. The Brother PE900 is the most similar to my PE770.

The Embroidery Design That Makes This So Easy

Close-up of a digital embroidery machine screen displaying a scalloped square design. The screen shows stitch settings, design options, and the Disney logo.

The real magic of this project is the embroidery design itself.

I downloaded an Appliqué Scallop Edge Border Embroidery Design for a Cocktail Napkin, and it completely simplified the entire process.

The embroidery file includes three stitch steps:

  1. A placement stitch
  2. A tack-down stitch to hold the fabric
  3. A satin stitch border around the edge

That is it.

The embroidery machine essentially creates the napkin for you.

I love projects where the embroidery design does the hard work because it makes even more advanced-looking projects feel approachable.

Supplies You Need

Sewing supplies on a table, including spray adhesive, fabric, scissors, embroidery frame, and spools of thread in various colors.

Here is everything I used to make my cocktail napkins:

I may use affiliate links on this blog, which means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link.

Stacks of folded embroidered cocktail napkins in a variety of solid colors, arranged in two columns with shades ranging from light pastels to bold and dark hues.
50pcs 100% Cotton Fabric Bundle
A roll of white sticky tearaway material, partially unrolled, with text indicating size: 12 inches by 10 yards.

New brothread Sticky Self-Adhesive Tear Away Embroidery Stabilizer

Forty spools of sewing thread in various colors are arranged in five rows on a wooden rack.

Embroidery Machine Thread, 40 Colors

A computerized Brother embroidery machine with an attached embroidery hoop, accessories, software, instruction guides, and sewing tools arranged around it.

Brother NQ1700E Embroidery Machine, 6″ x 10″ 

Brother SE2000 embroidery and sewing machine with digital screen, displaying a teapot design being embroidered on white fabric in the machine's hoop.

Brother SE2000 Computerized Sewing and Embroidery Machine

A set of white, folded embroidered cocktail napkins with a simple square hemstitch border design, fanned out in a semi-circle.

White Hemstitch 6″ Cocktail Napkins

Three rectangular embroidery hoops with clear plastic grids, each featuring red alignment lines and adjustment knobs, are displayed on a white background.

MagnaHoop Magnetic Hoop Set for Brother

Two pairs of small scissors, one purple and one teal, each with matching protective covers labeled "PARSON," are shown on a white background.

Small Travel Embroidery Scissors Set

A can of Dritz Spray Adhesive, 6.2 oz, for bonding fabric or paper—ideal for projects like Embroidered Cocktail Napkins; features odorless, acid-free, and repositionable formula; labeled flammable and designed for sewing uses.
Spray Adhesive Clear, 6 ounces

For my icon designs, I stitched:

  • bows
  • hearts
  • golf motifs
A collection of sixteen pink bows in various shapes and patterns displayed in a grid on a white background.

Pink Bow Embroidery Designs

A collection of illustrated golf-related icons, including golf carts, clubs, tees, flags, trophies, and players in various poses and equipment.

Golf Embroidery Designs

Two outlined hearts are joined by a ribbon tied in a bow, drawn in red on a white background.

Heart Locket with Bow Romantic Embroidery Design

to coordinate with my favorite cocktail glasses.

A clear glass of sparkling water with ice, lemon slices, and mint leaves sits atop elegant embroidered cocktail napkins, decorated with small lemon-shaped ornaments on the outside.
Sel Natural 14 Ounce Icon Juice Glasses
Two clear glass tumblers; one features pink bow designs, the other has two small white hearts. Pair them with our embroidered cocktail napkins for an elegant and coordinated touch to your next gathering.
Set of 2 Bow Icon Juice Glass 14oz Coquette Pink Bow Glass Cup
Two clear glass tumblers decorated with light pink bow designs on the sides, perfect for pairing with embroidered cocktail napkins at your next gathering.
2 Pack Bow Icon Juice Glasses

How to Make Embroidered Cocktail Napkins

A white fabric square with a stitched wavy border and a small embroidered green golf putting area with a pink flag in the bottom right corner, held in an embroidery machine.

Step One: Hoop the Stabilizer

A rectangular plastic frame with multiple warning labels is placed on a gridded cutting mat marked with inch measurements. White padding is visible inside the frame.

The first step is to hoop the tear-away stabilizer in your embroidery hoop.

You will not hoop the fabric yet.

The stabilizer provides the structure needed while the machine creates the scalloped napkin edge.

Once the stabilizer is hooped, place the hoop into your embroidery machine and begin stitching the first step.

Close-up of a sewing machine needle and presser foot stitching white fabric, with safety warning labels visible on machine parts.

This creates the placement stitch.

The placement stitch is essentially your guide for where the fabric will go.

Step Two: Add the Fabric

A square piece of white fabric is secured by six white plastic clamps with caution symbols, placed on a white surface with a pink flower in the background.

Next, lightly spray the back of your cotton fabric with temporary spray adhesive.

Carefully place the fabric over the placement stitch area.

The spray adhesive keeps the fabric from shifting while the embroidery machine stitches.

This part is surprisingly easy.

A hand holds a can of spray adhesive over a piece of white fabric placed inside a cardboard box, preparing for application.

Return the hoop to the embroidery machine and stitch the second step, which secures the fabric to the stabilizer.

Step Three: Trim the Fabric

A white fabric swatch with scalloped edges is displayed on a light gray background, partially framed by gray plastic holders on the left side.

Once the placement stitch is complete, remove the hoop from the machine.

Using small embroidery scissors, carefully trim the fabric as close as possible to the stitched outline.

This step creates the clean scalloped edge.

Take your time here because neat trimming makes a huge difference in the finished result.

But do not worry about perfection.

The satin stitch border will cover the raw edge beautifully.

Step Four: Stitch the Satin Border

A sewing machine is stitching a scalloped border onto a piece of white fabric secured in an embroidery hoop.

Return the hoop to the embroidery machine and begin the satin stitch border.

This is the step where the napkin truly comes to life.

The satin stitching creates the polished finished edge around the cocktail napkin and makes it look professionally made.

I honestly love watching this part stitch out because it transforms a simple square of fabric into something so elegant.

Step Five: Embroider the Design

A sewing machine is embroidering a small red heart onto a piece of white fabric with a scalloped edge.

Once the napkin border is complete, stitch the icon design in the center.

This was my favorite part because each design coordinated perfectly with my cocktail glasses.

A hand holds a white, scalloped-edge fabric square with a small pink embroidered heart in one corner; sewing tools and a grid mat are visible underneath.
Close-up of a sewing machine needle stitching pink thread onto white fabric with a scalloped edge.
A sewing machine is embroidering a scalloped-edge white cloth with a small green golf course and a red flag design in the corner.
A sewing machine embroidering a design of a golf cart on a white fabric with a scalloped edge.

I created:

  • bow napkins
  • heart napkins
  • golf napkins

And they all turned out so adorable.

The matching sets feel incredibly custom and fun for entertaining.

Finishing the Napkins

A piece of white fabric with scalloped edges and a small embroidered golf cart is held in an embroidery machine hoop with visible warning labels.

Once the embroidery is complete:

  • remove the napkin from the hoop
  • gently tear away the stabilizer
  • clip any loose threads
  • use the edge of an iron to remove any remaining thread marks (you can also use a lighter but I am too afraid I might burn them!)

The final pressing step makes such a difference.

Suddenly, the napkins look crisp, polished, and ready for entertaining.

And honestly, they look expensive.

Why This Project Is So Worth It

Two empty glass tumblers sit on white embroidered coasters with golf-themed designs, placed on a light wooden surface with artificial flowers nearby.

I absolutely love projects that combine creativity with practicality.

These cocktail napkins are:

  • useful
  • beautiful
  • washable
  • reusable
  • customizable

And because they are handmade, they feel much more personal than anything store-bought.

I also love that this project feels approachable.

Two clear glasses with pink peach designs are placed above two white fabric coasters, one plain with a pink butterfly, and one with a pink bow pattern.

Sometimes embroidery projects can feel intimidating, especially if they involve complicated appliqué or multiple hoopings.

But this project is surprisingly straightforward.

Once you make one napkin, the rest come together very quickly.

Endless Ideas for Future Cocktail Napkins

Five white fabric coasters with scalloped edges; three have minimal embroidery, including a golf cart, golf green, and pink designs.

Now that I have made these, my mind is racing with ideas for future sets.

Can you imagine:

  • Christmas cocktail napkins
  • beach-themed napkins
  • monogrammed sets
  • pumpkin napkins for fall
  • wedding gifts
  • birthday cocktail sets
  • tennis or pickleball motifs
  • patriotic summer sets

The possibilities are endless.

And because they are inexpensive to make, you can create multiple seasonal collections without spending a fortune.

Four white embroidered cocktail napkins with colored wavy borders and simple drink illustrations, each labeled with a different cocktail name.
Jubilee Napkin Set of 4 
A stack of Embroidered Cocktail Napkins featuring green scalloped edges, each adorned with a martini glass, olive, and a black bow for a stylish touch.
12 Pcs Martini Cocktail Napkins
A white handkerchief with a pink ribbon and tag, featuring the letter "A" decorated with flowers printed in the corner, perfect as embroidered cocktail napkins for elegant gatherings.
Decorative Hemstitch Cocktail Napkins
Seven Embroidered Cocktail Napkins with white fabric feature playful designs of cocktails and Mahjong tiles, arranged in two neat rows on a light pink background.
8 Packs Mahjong Theme
A wicker tray holds embroidered cocktail napkins with floral designs and a blue ribbon, decorated with white artificial flowers on a dark surface.
Lauusiusi Embroidered Natural Linen Cocktail Napkins
A white embroidered cocktail napkin with "thank you" and floral designs in black, tied with a brown ribbon and a green tag.
Jolitee Decorative Hemstitch Cocktail Napkins, 6″x6″

Handmade Details Make Entertaining Special

One thing I have learned over the years is that guests remember thoughtful details.

Not perfection.

Not elaborate meals.

And not expensive decorations.

They remember how your home felt.

A handmade cocktail napkin paired with a matching glass may seem like a small thing, but those little details create warmth and personality.

And honestly, that is what entertaining is all about.

Creating moments that feel welcoming, creative, and joyful.

Final Thoughts

This may be one of my favorite projects from A Handmade Summer so far because it combines entertaining, embroidery, and handmade details in such a fun and practical way.

I love that these cocktail napkins:

  • look boutique-made
  • cost much less than store-bought versions
  • coordinate perfectly with my glasses
  • can be customized endlessly

Most importantly, they were fun to make.

And if a craft project is both beautiful and enjoyable, I consider that a huge success.

Now, excuse me while I go plan an entire summer cocktail party around embroidered napkins.

How to Follow Along With A Handmade Summer

Each week, a new spring craft will be shared here on the blog. I will also be sharing behind-the-scenes moments, progress videos, and finished projects on Instagram so you can see each craft come to life.

You can jump in at any point. There is no need to start at the beginning or complete every project. Choose the ones that speak to you and make them your own.

If you love seasonal crafting, this series is designed to inspire you throughout the summer.

Here are all of the A Handmade Summer craft projects so far.

Two white handkerchiefs with pink embroidery are displayed on a light wood surface next to artificial pink roses and green leaves.
DIY Embroidered Cocktail Napkins – week five
Two ceramic plates with colorful cocktail glass patterns are placed on a light wooden surface, surrounded by three pink tulips.
Decorative Summer Clay Trinket Dishes – week four
Assorted pink and gold wax seals, some with dried flowers embedded, are arranged on a white surface alongside pressed flowers.
Homemade Fun with Wax Seals – week three
Oval mirror with a frame decorated with various seashells, mounted on a light wood wall.
My New Coastal Mirror – week two
Two ceramic paint tube sculptures, one pink with gold patterns, one with a floral design, each holding two paintbrushes on a white surface.
DIY Clay Brush Holder – week one
Four white embroidered cocktail napkins featuring mahjong tile designs are arranged on a round mat. A blue gift card with a ribbon is displayed in the top right corner, making this set a thoughtful and stylish gift idea.

4 Pcs Mahjong Embroidered Napkins
Seven embroidered cocktail napkins featuring cross-stitched Mahjong designs on white cloth are surrounded by Mahjong tiles on a pale surface.
8 Pack Mahjong Embroidered Cocktail Napkins
Four embroidered cocktail napkins in crisp white linen, each adorned with a unique drink design, are artfully arranged on a marble surface—perfect for elevating your next gathering.
Sferra Aperitivo Embroidered Linen Cocktail Napkins
Stack of white embroidered cocktail napkins featuring a subtle stitched border, neatly arranged with corners overlapping on a plain background.
White Cotton Cocktail Napkins – 100% Cotton
A clear glass of sparkling water with ice, a lemon slice, and mint leaves sits beside embroidered cocktail napkins, decorated with small lemon designs on the outside.
Sel Natural 14 Ounce Icon Juice Glasses
Four clear glass tumblers, each decorated with different fruit illustrations—lemons, pineapples, watermelons, and strawberries—with colored rims matching the fruit themes, pair beautifully with embroidered cocktail napkins for a charming table setting.
4 Pack Fruit Icon Juice Glasses Set

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