DIY Modern Tie Dye Reusable Napkins

Inspired by eco-friendly weddings and handmade details with heart, we’re diving into the modern world of tie dye to give plain white cloth napkins a colorful upgrade for your big day! Whether you're going full-on DIY or simply adding personal touches, this project is so easy—even your flower girl or ring bearer can help. (P.S. We totally recommend turning it into a fun group activity with the whole fam!) Using a non-toxic, water-based dye, this method skips the mess and fuss of traditional tie dye. Just dip, dry, and iron (or tumble dry)—that’s it! So let’s add a splash of color to your wedding reception or rehearsal dinner.

Pretty watercolor wedding napkins
How to make super easy DIY dyed napkins for your wedding

How to Tie Dye Your Wedding Napkins


Difficulty Level: Easy
Color Inspiration: Butter yellow and coral


MATERIALS
Tumble Dye Fabric Spray, Neon Colors
Cotton napkins, White
• Wide glass jars for dipping
Iron
Ironing board
• Garbage bag or drop cloth to protect your surface

EDITOR'S STORY:
Since the beginning of this year, I have been really intentional about changing some of my lifestyle habits when it comes to being more eco-conscious about what I do and what I buy. I've switched from dryer sheets to dryer wool balls, a single user coffee maker to a traditional 12-cup coffee maker, and even single-use cotton rounds to reusable organic bamboo facial rounds. My next step is becoming more paper-free in the kitchen. It's a work in progress, but it's also the heart behind this particular project!

After we published a real wedding where the bride made gorgeous dip-dyed napkins for her wedding, it inspired me how perfect of a detail it is! Not only great for the wedding day as a personalized touch, you can also reuse your napkins at home after the big day! Hope you love this inspiration as much I as do!
- Chelsea


Materials for DIY modern tie dyed wedding napkins

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Choose your colors, shake the mini bottles, and then pour your tie dye liquids into individual separate jars. Feel free to get creative and mix up your hues! Add water to lighten your colors and other dyes to darken your colors. Before you decide on your official palette, test your colors on a paper towel.

Mixing tie dye colors for custom wedding napkins
Using Tumble Dye for pretty chic reusable wedding napkins

COLOR MIXING TIP: Tie dye is concentrated color, so use the included color guide and add a tiny bit at a time when mixing colors.

2. Fold your first napkin "long ways" in an accordion style as if you were making a paper fan in elementary school. Then fold the napkin again in an accordion style so you create a smaller rectangle. It should be about the size of a deck of playing cards.

How to make beautiful eco-friendly reusable napkins for your wedding
Tie dye napkins using Tumble Dye

3. Dip one edge of your napkin in the first color. Then dip the opposite edge in your second color. And repeat for each edge with however many colors you have.

Fun and easy DIY napkins for handmade weddings
How to make your napkins unique for your wedding

4. Unfold your napkin and place on top of a plastic garbage bag to dry.

How to make reusable cloth napkins for your wedding using easy tie dye

5. Once completely dried, all you have to do is heat set your tie dye with an iron or dryer! No other chemicals or special steps. This is a unique feature to this kind of dye which makes it super user-friendly!

6. Before arranging at your wedding or home, wash your napkins in cold water, air dry or tumble dry on low, and then iron them for a soft fresh look. Enjoy!

Modern wedding place setting with tie dyed napkins


Other Tie Dye Variations


Tie dyeing is such a fun experiment, especially when you have an easy dye to work with! As seen below, you can see what using 3 and 4 colors looks like. Give your folded napkin's edges a different color, dip your napkin deeper into the dye, change up the angle. Try out a few different techniques for a completely unique look!

Different ways to tie dye cloth napkins

TUTORIAL CREDITS
Photography, Tutorial, and Styling: Chelsea Barton | Silk Flowers: Afloral


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