Dip-Dyed Napkins & Starfish Napkin Rings

Next in our Indian Summer Beach Wedding table-top setting, Melody Miller Bradley created dip-dyed napkins and dyed wooden napkin rings with a Starfish motif.  Melody stitched up the napkins first, and then dip-dyed them, making it easy to choose different color combinations.  To continue with the lovely beach-color theme, she dip-dyed the wooden napkin rings and starfish buttons in the dye as well.  This will be sure to add pizzazz to your table and dazzle your guests!  

Melony has been designing full-time for the creative industry since 2004.  Her work has been published in national consumer craft and lifestyle magazines, including Women's World, Cloth Paper Scissors, Crafts’n Things, Create & Decorate, Green Craft Magazine, Altered Couture and Somerset Life.  Visit her blog Mel Designs.  

Here's the tutorial:

SUPPLIES:

• Rit Liquid Dye: Scarlet, Taupe, Aquamarine, Kelly Green, Sunshine Orange
• 1 yd. White 100% Cotton Fabric (makes 4 napkins)
• Unfinished Wood Napkin Rings
• Unfinished Wood Circles, 2 ½” diameter  (one per ring)
• Unfinished Wood Starfish Button (one per ring)
• Gem Stones, Adhesive-Backed (one per ring)
• Fabric Glue
• Rotary Cutter, Ruler & Cutting Mat
• Sewing Machine & Thread
• Iron & Pressing Surface
• Inkjet Cotton Sheets
• Computer & Printer
• Dyeing Supplies: Rubber gloves, measuring spoons, measuring cup, two1-gallon plastic containers and four 1-gallon plastic bags, stirring spoon, plastic bowl, plastic wrap, paper towels, plastic table cover  

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prewash fabric to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.  Iron to remove wrinkles.

2. To make napkins: Use a rotary cutter, ruler and cutting mat to cut fabric into 18” squares for each napkin.  Finish edges by making a double fold ¼” hem and machine stitching close to the edge.  Or, if you prefer, use a decorative machine stitch.

3. To prepare for dyeing:  Cover work surface with a plastic table cover.  Shake all dye bottles before measuring dye.  Melony used 2 color combinations: an Orange/Peach #115 with Blue Curacao and an Orange/Peach #464 with Margarita.  Dye recipes are custom colors from the Rit Color Formula Guide.  Several napkins can be dipped into each dyebath.    

4. For first color combination, prepare Dyebath #1 Orange/Peach #115:  Wearing rubber gloves, measure and mix 1 teaspoon Scarlet and 1 teaspoon Taupe with 2 cups very hot water (140 F).  Pour into 1-gallon container; stir well.  Dip half of napkin into dyebath.  Remove and wring out excess dye.

Note:  If the color is too light, add more dye.  If the color is too dark, add more water.

Also the dye/water ratio can be increased to dye more napkins at one time.

5. To dye napkin rings: Before discarding each dyebath, pour dyebath into a 1-gallon plastic bag.  Immerse wood shapes into dyebath; seal bag.  Let shapes soak for 10-15 minutes, moving occasionally to be sure wood is dyed evenly.  Remove wood shapes and place on layered paper towels to dry. 

6.For Dyebath #2 Blue Curacao #565:  Measure and mix 4 Tbs. Aquamarine and 1/2 teaspoon Kelly Green with 2 cups hot water; stir well.  Pour into 1-gallon container; stir well.  Dip other half of napkin into dyebath.  Remove and carefully wring out excess dye.

7. Wrap each napkin in plastic wrap, sealing the edges.  Place in plastic bowl or on paper towels and heat in the microwave for 2 minutes. 

8. Remove from microwave and allow to cool.  Unwrap plastic wrap and rinse in cool water to remove excess dye.  Wash in warm water with mild detergent, rinse and hang to dry.

9. For second color combination, prepare Dyebath #3 Margarita #476:  Measure 1 teaspoon Kelly Green with 2 cups hot water; stir well. Pour into 1-gallon container; stir well.  Dip half of napkin into dyebath.  Remove and carefully wring out excess dye.

10. For Dyebath #4 Orange/Peach #464:  Measure and mix 1/2 teaspoon Scarlet and 1/2 teaspoon Sunshine Orange with 2 cups very hot water.  Pour into 1-gallon container; stir well.   Dip other half of napkin into dyebath. Remove and carefully wring out excess dye.

11. Repeat steps 7 and 8 above.

Making Napkin Rings

1. When wood is dry, layer wood shapes together in desired color combinations and glue. Let glue dry thoroughly before handling.

2. To make tags: Select font of your choice on your computer.  Insert inkjet cotton sheet into printer, following manufacturer’s directions.  Type out guests’ names or sentiment of your choice.  Print and cut out sentiments into long strips.  Trim one end with scissors as shown, leaving at least 1” on opposite end for tucking under the wood circle.

3. Apply self- adhesive gem to center of starfish and glue tag to each ring under wood circle.  Let dry.

Insert napkins into rings and let the party begin!