Depending on your budget and your time available, sure, you can even make this project for your actual wedding day, too! We aim to be realistic with the DIYs though, and linen napkins aren't the least expensive natural fabric out there to purchase in a large quantity, so if you do want to make your own napkins for the big day and have a small budget, you might want to consider a simple blank cotton napkin as an alternative. Again, no household fabric is safe once you've discovered fabric paint! Whatever fabric you choose, your celebration place settings will get the upgraded look when you can say "I made those!" to your guests.
How to Use Fabric Paint on Linen Napkins for Your Wedding Shower Event
Difficulty Level: Easy
PROJECT MATERIALS
• Linen napkins
• Fabric paint
• Foam or wood block scraps
• Cotton string
• Paper straws
• Paintbrush
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Pre-wash your napkins using your normal laundry detergent. Do not use any added softeners as this can affect the fabric paint application. Allow to dry and then iron. Linen materials are naturally wrinkly so embrace the lovely texture, but make sure that the deep creases are smoothed out for even stamping.
2. Take your paper straws and cut to make as many stamps as you want or need. If creating a foam or wood block stamp with string, tightly wrap the string around your block and tie it on the back side. Adjust your yarn lines to your preference in pattern. The great thing about making your own stamps is that there is no one way to do it! Have fun and make a variety if you’d like!
3. Use cardboard or another material to do some tests on how you want your pattern to look. A more organic vibe is always great looking on linen! Place additional cardboard or newspaper to protect your surface as some paint may press through due to the looser weave of linen.
4. Add fabric paint to your stamp with a paintbrush or just dip your straw into a thin layer of the paint. Starting at the corner of your napkin, firmly press your stamp to create your first impression. Repaint your stamp and create your next impression. Repeat until you stamp your entire napkin!
After you have stamped your napkin, look over and see where it would be beneficial to fill in some of your stamped lines or dots to look more full. Using your paintbrush, brush lightly over any faint or empty patches you want to enhance to achieve that organic stamp mark.
5. Repeat the above steps to make all of the linen napkins you need. Change up your patterns or keep them all of the same for your intended wedding look.
6. Allow to dry for 48-72 hours and then wash your napkins on your washing machine's gentle cycle. Hang to dry or dry on low heat. That's it! After the wedding-related event, upcycle your napkins into gifts or keep at home!
TUTORIAL CREDITS
Photography and DIY Tutorial: Chelsea Barton (originally designed for Jen of Something Turquoise) | Linen Napkins: Linen and Rock via Etsy (shop no longer available, link is for similar) | Fabric Paint: DecoArt
Looking for Wedding Style Ideas? Shop These Inspiring Looks!
Editor's Note: Specially curated by us, the above product links are partner-connected and purchasing through these links means we get a small commission from those brands that helps support this website. You can find our full affiliate disclosure policy here on Tidewater and Tulle.
