Batik Easter Egg Placemat & Napkin

tutorial

March 23, 2012

Batik Easter Egg Placemat & Napkin

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Our friend, Laura Bray, made this festive Easter egg–shaped placemat using a batik-dyeing technique. A washable resist medium was applied to the fabric by drawing stripes and patterns. Then the dye was painted full strength onto the fabric, just like coloring an Easter egg! To heat set the dyes, each placemat was finished off in the microwave along with a dyed-to-match napkin trimmed with eyelet lace. This is sure to bring Easter joy to your dining table.

Laura Bray is a designer, writer and lifestyle expert. She inspires creative women to live a life of balance and simplicity by sharing her modern twist on traditional home arts. Visit her blog, katydiddys for more great tips and tutorials.

And here's the how-to:

SUPPLIES:

Rit Liquid Dye: Aquamarine, Apple Green, Purple, Tangerine & Fuchsia
Crafter’s Pick Batik-EZ Resist Medium
1 yd. White 100% Cotton Fabric, 45” wide (for 6 placemats)
1 yd. Cotton Batting, 45” wide (for 6 placemats)
1 yd. Cotton Print Fabric with Easter motif, 45” wide (for 6 placemats)
2 Pieces Jumbo Rick Rack, 14” lengths, Light Blue & Cream (for each placemat)
White 100% Cotton Napkins, 18” x 18”, purchased or make your own
2 yds. White 100% Cotton or Poly/Cotton Eyelet Lace for each napkin
Dyeing Supplies: Measuring cup, measuring spoons, 5 plastic cups, spoon for stirring dye, rubber gloves, plastic wrap, paper towels, plastic table cover
Foam Brushes
Ruler
Cardboard or Craft Paper
Basic Sewing Supplies: Pins, sewing thread, scissors, sewing machine

PLACEMAT INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cover work surface with plastic table cover.

2. Make an oval egg-shaped pattern, 17” x 14”. Then from the white fabric cut an oval shape for each placemat. Cut same egg-shaped oval piece from cotton batting and from Easter printed fabric (this will be the backing) for each placemat.

3. Place one white cotton placemat on cardboard or craft paper. Apply Batik-EZ resist in a striped pattern on egg shaped placemat. Use a ruler to make straight lines. (Laura made 4 vertical stripes and one V-shaped pattern at one end.) Set aside and let resist dry completely. Repeat for each placemat.

4. Shake dye bottles to mix up dye. Wearing rubber gloves, pour ¼ cup each dye color into a plastic cup. (Laura used Aquamarine, Apple Green, Purple, Tangerine & Fuchsia.)

5. Lay placemat on cardboard or craft paper to help absorb excess dye and prevent dye from bleeding into unwanted areas. Using a foam bush, dye paint liquid dye full strength (no water added) between the stripes on the placemat in desired colors.

6. Remove placemat from paper and place on overlapping layers of plastic wrap. Cover top of placemat with plastic wrap and seal edges. Fold to fit in microwave.

7. Cover bottom of microwave with paper towels to protect against spills. Place plastic-wrapped placemat in microwave and set on HIGH for 2 minutes. Wearing thick rubber gloves, carefully remove from microwave. Let cool, then remove plastic wrap.

8. Rinse placemat in cool water until water runs clear. Wash in warm water with mild detergent. Rinse and dry. Iron to remove wrinkles.

9. Pin egg-shaped piece of batting to back of batik-dyed placemat.

10. Pin two pieces of jumbo rick rack between your color blocks over two white stripes, as shown or as you desire. Machine stitch down the center of each piece of rick rack through batting. Then stitch down center of remaining white stripes through batting.

11. To finish placemat, lay Easter printed fabric FACE DOWN onto the right side of placemat. Pin in place.

12. Using a ¼” seam allowance, stitch around outer edge of placemat. Leave a 2” opening along one side to turn out fabric.

13. Turn fabric right sides out. Fold in seam allowances and slip-stitch the opening closed. Topstitch around the outside edge of placemat. Repeat above steps for each placemat.

NAPKIN INSTRUCTIONS:

1. If napkins are new, prewash them to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.

2. To dye napkins: Set out 2 large plastic cups. Wearing rubber gloves, measure 2 Tablespoons Apple Green dye into one cup and add 1 cup very hot water; stir well. In second cup, measure 2 Tablespoons Purple dye and add 1 cup very hot water; stir well.

3. Wet one napkin and push it into the Purple dye solution. Note: This low water immersion technique will produce a mottled effect with light and dark areas.

4. Wet 2 yards of cotton eyelet lace and push it into the Apple Green dye solution.

5. Line bottom of microwave with paper towels. Cover cups with plastic wrap. Place cups in microwave and set on High for 2 minutes.

6. Wearing thick rubber gloves, carefully remove cups from microwave. Let cool, then remove plastic wrap.

7. Rinse napkin and lace in cool water until water runs clear. Wash in warm water with mild detergent. Rinse and dry. Iron to remove wrinkles.