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How to: DIY Geometric Patterned Napkins…with Bleach!

by on Jul 7, 2015

Summer is the perfect time to host a backyard get together or party, and the warm weather pairs perfectly with bright colorful patterns to bring on the fun.  I love cloth napkins.  When you set the table for guests and add a fun napkin,  the meal instantly feels like a special occasion.

I’ve been itching to play with bleach pens for a while now. I love dip dying and tie dying looks, so this seemed like a project that was right up my alley. These very easy to make napkins cost under $10 to make a set of 4.  They have a fun handmade look to them without the mess of dying.                 

Geometric shapes are painted on pink, blue, teal, and yellow napkins.
photo: Jeran McConnel
"Green and Yellow napkins with Fork,Spoon and Knife Set"
photo: Jeran McConnel

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • a bleach pen or 2 (depending on how intricate your designs are)
  • 100% cotton napkins (I found these are Target)

Start by laying the napkins flat on a hard surface, that won’t be damaged by bleach. Decide on your patterns.  I chose to keep mine very simple and just repeat the same shape all over the surface of the napkin.  I didn’t worry about being perfect with my shapes.  Imperfections are what make these look handmade!

A blue napkin and a bleach pen
A yellow frilly piece of cloth with rows of white rings on it.
A piece of blue fabric has bleach liquid from a bleach pen.

Allow the bleach to sit on the fabric for at least 20 mins.  I found that the lighter colors bleached out faster then the darker colors.  If you turn over the napkin, you can get an idea of how much the fabric has bleached.  

A wet piece of red fabric sits in a bowl on a table.

When the napkin patterns are as light as you want, rinse them well in cool water.  Work quickly to remove the excess bleach, so that it doesn’t bleach other areas on the napkin.  Then run the napkins through a normal washing and drying cycle. 

A gold fork and knife sitting top of a red and pink folded napkin which sits on top of a blue and ping folded napkin which is sitting on three white plates behind a yellow piece of cloth with white circles on it.
photo: Jeran McConnel
Golden silverware on top of yellow and turquoise place mats.
Colorful fabrics are next to a blue mug and gold silverware.

This would be a great way DIY to have kids help with.  I’m ready to get my hands on some more cotton napkins and add to this fun, colorful set. 

Garden silverware are on three colorful towels.
photo: Jeran McConnel

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1 Comments

  1. Wonderful! Thank you <3
    Can you tell me where to find the flatware? Love it and it´s hard to find in Germany :/