Valley Yarns #185 False Damask Napkins

Valley Yarns False Damask Napkins

Project Overview

The Valley Yarns False Damask Napkins are a set of five woven homeware napkins designed by Barbara Elkins. This downloadable weaving pattern offers a practical alternative to disposable paper napkins by creating beautiful, reusable table linens. Each finished napkin measures 18 1/2" square, making them ideal for everyday dining use. The design draws inspiration from historical weaving traditions, adapted from Mary Atwater's Shuttlecraft Guild Book of American Handweaving, and features a false damask weave structure that creates visual interest without requiring overly complex threading.

Weave Structure and Techniques

This project uses a false damask weave structure, which creates the appearance of traditional damask patterning through strategic yarn placement rather than complex interlacing. The design employs stripe techniques to add visual variety and interest to the napkins. Weavers can choose to create all five napkins in a single color for a cohesive set, or use different colored wefts for each napkin to showcase color variation across the collection.

Loom Equipment and Setup

This pattern requires an 8-shaft loom with a minimum weaving width of 24 inches. The loom setup includes one shuttle and one bobbin for weaving. A temple is listed as useful but optional equipment. The reed is set at 10-dent, with 2/dent sleying, creating a sett of 20 ends per inch (epi). The warp width in the reed measures 20.3 inches, and the total warp length needed is 5 1/2 yards of 406 ends, which includes two floating selvages.

Threading and Heddle Configuration

The threading pattern follows a specific draft configuration across the eight shafts. Shafts 1 through 4 each receive 43 heddles, while shafts 5 through 8 each receive 58 heddles. Floating selvages in the weft yarn color are incorporated at the edges of the warp to create finished edges. Weavers should carefully thread according to the provided draft, paying special attention to the floating selvage placement.

Yarns and Materials

Warp Yarn: Valley Yarns 8/2 Cotton in White (#8001) is used for the warp. This yarn is 100% unmercerized cotton with a yardage of 3360 yards per pound. The pattern requires 2222 yards of white warp yarn, plus an additional 11 yards of weft color for the floating selvages.

Weft Yarn: Valley Yarns 8/2 Cotton in the weaver's choice of color serves as the weft. Available color options include Natural (#8176), Pale Yellow (#1171), Heather (#2574), Silver Birch (#8418), and Sagebrush (#5680). Each color is also 100% unmercerized cotton with 3360 yards per pound. Approximately 246 yards of weft yarn is needed per napkin when weaving multiple colors, or 1230 yards total for a complete set of five one-color napkins.

Additional Materials: Cotton sewing thread matching the chosen weft yarn color is required for finishing the napkins after weaving is complete.

Weaving Process

After dressing the loom with the prepared warp, weavers begin by tying on and weaving a header with scrap yarn to establish consistent beat and tension. The false damask pattern is then woven according to the draft, with the option to change weft colors between each napkin or maintain a single color throughout the set. The pattern is designed to be relatively simple for threading and weaving, making it accessible to weavers seeking an everyday-use project with professional results.

Finished Product

Each completed napkin measures 18 1/2" square, providing a practical size for table use. The false damask weave creates sophisticated patterning that resembles traditional damask designs, while the stripe technique variations add visual appeal. These handwoven napkins offer a sustainable, reusable alternative to paper napkins and can be used for everyday dining or special occasions.