With the holidays fast approaching, I find myself dreaming about pretty table settings, linens, and centerpieces. I love to use cloth napkins on my table, but they are generally expensive and a major pain to keep clean and pressed. When I came across these simple, inexpensive cotton dishcloths at Target, I immediately envisioned them as delicate, pastel napkins...
At just $3.99 for a pack of four, the price was right! In just a few hours this past weekend, I managed to dye a ton of these beauties (it's so simple and very addicting!).
If you want to make some for your own holiday table, here's what you'll need:
-100% Cotton White Dish Cloths (Target's Flour Sack Kitchen Towels by Room Essentials)
-RIT Dye (I used the liquid, but the powder works just as well)
-a large plastic bucket
-table salt (approx. 1 cup per dye lot)
-rubber gloves (very important!)
Directions: Decide how many colors you want and divide up your cloths accordingly. I made at least four cloths in each color. I may have over-done it, but it was so much fun - I just couldn't stop! Fill your bucket with very hot water and stir in about a cup of salt (this will help "set" your dye). Instead of following the package instructions for the dye and water amounts, I just added a few drops of the liquid dye to my water. You can always add more, but to achieve the very pale, pastel tones, just add a little to start. Make sure to thoroughly wet your cloths first and then quickly submerge them in the dye bath and swish them around for a few seconds. The longer you leave them in, the darker they will be.
Now, if you want to make a darker shade of the same color (i.e., light pink and dark pink), just add a few more drops of the dye. Rinse the dyed cloths in cold water until the water runs clear. They can then be tossed in the washer and dryer according to the wash instructions. Tip: If you are dyeing different colors like I did, be sure to thoroughly rinse your bucket out in-between each color.
The best thing about these, is that for about $1 a piece, you can have a custom-colored napkin! And if they get really badly stained with lipstick and red wine, you can always toss them and make some more.
I am thinking of wrapping mine with some vintage millinery flowers...
Very simple and very pretty.
Happy Tuesday!
XOXO
Jessica
Another perfect pastel DIY! I love how pastels work so well in both summer and winter.
Posted by: Sabbie Narwal | November 19, 2014 at 08:41 AM
i love this! i have bunches of ikea dishtowels that would also be fun to dye.
thank you for the inspiration as always!
happy early thanksgiving wishes, jessica!
xo
elyse
Posted by: elyse | November 19, 2014 at 07:31 PM
You are brilliant. Love how these turned out. And so budget friendly!
Posted by: Kelsea Echo | November 20, 2014 at 05:39 AM
Those are so pretty I also have been turned onto Ritz dye
Posted by: Curtains In My Tree | November 20, 2014 at 04:54 PM
Love these ~ They are really cute ~ Kim
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Posted by: Robin | January 17, 2015 at 03:53 PM