Thanksgiving Table Setting

Step 1:

Dye-Painted Pumpkin Instructions:
Note: The invitation, place cards and flower pot decoration are all made using the same dye-painted pumpkin design. Only the size varies.

1- Draw round pumpkin shape, veins, stem and leaf on white watercolor paper with Batik EZ Resist Medium. Let air dry or use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process.

2- Prepare Rit Dye for Painting: Note: Dyes can be used full strength out of the bottle or diluted with water.
Powder Dyes: Measure and mix 2 teaspoons dye with ½ - 1 cup very hot water.
Liquid Dyes: Measure and mix 1 teaspoon dye with ½ - 1 cup very hot water.

3- Begin by dye-painting Golden Yellow dye over entire pumpkin, including leaf and stem.

4- Then dye-paint Scarlet dye over Golden Yellow dye on body of pumpkin. The Scarlet and Golden Yellow dye will blend to make an orange pumpkin color.

5- For leaf and stem, dye-paint Kelly Green highlights over Golden Yellow dye. Then dye-paint Cocoa Brown and Purple highlights on leaf and stem.

6- Then dye-paint Purple highlights on fullest part of pumpkin and around outer edge of pumpkin body.

7- Line bottom of microwave with paper towels. Place the wet watercolor paper in the microwave and set on High for one minute.

8- Then place watercolor paper under running water, and use a sea sponge to remove the resist medium and excess dyes. If deeper colors are desired, reapply dyes and place wet paper in microwave another minute.


Invitation Instructions:

1- Fold brown cardstock in half, creating a 4 1/2” x 6” card.

2- Cut out pumpkin motif from dyed watercolor paper to fit on front of card. Glue to front side of brown cardstock. Then cut out pumpkin shape through both layers of paper to create a 3-dimentional effect.

3- To make “You’re Invited” message: Cut a 2” x 1 ½” piece of watercolor paper. Tear paper around the edges. Dye-paint Lemon Yellow, Scarlet and Purple dyes on paper. Dye-paint Cocoa Brown around the torn edges. Dry in the microwave as described in step

4- Write “You’re Invited” on paper.


Place Card Instructions:

1-Dye-paint pumpkin to fit on 3 ½” x 2/12” brown card stock, following instructions above. When paper is dry, cut out pumpkin shape.

2- Cut 3 1/2” x 5” piece of brown card stock. Fold in half to 3 ½” x 2 ½”.

3- Glue pumpkin shape to one side of folded card.


Flower Pot Decoration Instructions:

1- Measure the circumference of flower pot, and add 1” for an overlap. This will determine the overall size of paper needed. Pumpkins may have to be pieced, if using a large pot.

2- Dye-paint series of pumpkins to fit around pot, connecting pumpkins as desired, following instructions above. When paper is dry, cut out pumpkin shapes.

3- Glue paper pumpkins to flower pot.