Patriotic Shibori Dyed Napkins

Hello and happy Summer! It is SMOKIN’ HOT here in Texas. We’re already up to 95 degrees and it’s only May. Is it a blazing inferno where you are too? I can already tell we’re going to be spending A LOT of time in the pool. Backyard barbecues and pool parties are quintessential summertime fun around here! Speaking of BBQs, let’s make these DIY Patriotic Shibori Dyed Napkins – they’re perfectly patriotic for your summer or Fourth of July table setting!

Today, I’m excited to be joining a handful of my blogger friends as we share fun summer DIY crafts! Be sure to click the links at the end of this post to check out everyone’s projects.

Alright. Are you ready to learn how to make these DIY patriotic shibori dyed napkins? Let’s do this.

Supplies for DIY Patriotic Shibori Dyed Napkins

• Indigo Tie Dye Kit
• Cotton napkins
• Various wood pieces for shape resists
• 5 Gallon bucket
• Stir stick

Directions

1. Fill the 5-gallon bucket with about 4 gallons of tap water.
2. Empty the indigo dye, soda ash, and reduction agent packets into the water.
3. Stir until dissolved, stirring the mixture in one direction in a circular motion.
4. Reverse the direction of the stirring as you drag the stir stick along the outer edge of the bucket before slowly removing the stir stick.
5. Cover the bucket with a lid and allow the mixture to settle while you bind your fabric (about 30 minutes to an hour).

Bind and Dye the Fabric

1. Fold, tie, or bind the fabric in various ways, using shape resists, rubber bands, popsicle sticks, clothespins, and other items. Feel free to experiment and get creative!
2. Thoroughly wet the bound fabric with water and squeeze out the excess.
3. Wearing gloves, remove the cover from the bucket. Carefully push the foam on top to the side and slowly submerge the bound fabric into the bucket. Be sure that it is fully immersed for several minutes.
4. Remove the bound fabric from the bucket and set it aside to oxidize for about 20 minutes – the fabric will come out green, but will slowly turn blue as the oxygen hits it.
5. Unbind the fabric and rinse with water.
6. Wash the shibori dyed napkins in the washing machine with mild detergent and warm water.
7. Place the lid back onto the bucket. The dye will keep for several days and you’ll be able to reuse it.

Unwrapping the fabric is my favorite part – you never know for sure what pattern you’re going to get! For the star pattern, I cut out a couple of stars from scrap pieces of wood, then folded my napkins in an accordion-style and placed the star on the top and bottom of the fabric, then bound the whole thing with rubber bands.

Another favorite pattern of mine was the one below – I folded the napkin accordian-style and clipped 3 clothespins, alternating each side. Isn’t this pattern fun?

Hope y’all enjoyed this DIY patriotic shibori dyed napkin tutorial – don’t forget to visit the links below to see my blogger friends’ summer crafts! Happy Summer, everyone!

Love this project? PIN IT for later!See more Summer craft inspiration below!

The Happy Housie / Home Made Lovely / Taryn Whiteaker / Craftberry Bush

The DIY Mommy / Duke Manor Farm / Zevy Joy / Inspiration for Moms / Newly Woodwards

Satori Design for Living / Tidbits / Sincerely, Marie Designs / So Much Better with Age / Town and Country Living

Paint Me Pink / Finding Silver Pennies / Southern State of Mind / The House of Wood / Amber Tysl

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