Batik Easter Egg Placemat & Napkin

Step 2:

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.)

Step 3:

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.

Step 4:

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.

Step 5:

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.

Step 6:

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

Step 7:

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.

Step 8:

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.

Step 9:

8. Pin eyelet lace around outer edge of napkin and machine stitch in place. Repeat steps above for each napkin.

Step 10:

Happy Easter!