Bring the Tie-Dye Runway Look to Your Table
By Alexis Jonnson for TheNest.com
Newsflash! Crisp white napkins at the dinner table are oh so predictable. Go boho the next time you play hostess and fix up your table with a fashion-forward flair (tie dye has overtaken the runways in 2015 resort collections). Here’s how.
What You’ll Need:
2 pots with lids
Measuring cup
14 cups water
1/2 cup salt
3 cups blueberries
4 Cotton or linen napkins
20 Rubber bands
Strainer
Stainless steel bowl
Spoon or ladle
Drying rack
Latex gloves (optional)
Scissors
Step 1: Since you’re using a natural dye from berries, you’ll need to help it stick to your fabric. How? Combine ½ cup of salt into a large pot with 8 cups water. Bring to a boil and submerge napkins into the pot, continuing to boil for one hour. After one hour, rinse napkins in running water until the water runs clear.
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Step 2: In another pot, combine 1 part chopped berries with 2 parts water. (I used 3 cups of blueberries with 6 cups of water.) Bring to a boil, and continue to cook at a low boil for one hour.
Step 3: After one hour, strain the mixture into a stainless steel or glass bowl to remove any skin or seeds. Tip: I used the back of a spoon to push all the extra juice out.
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Step 4: While the napkins are still damp, tie on rubber bands. (I only used five, but you can use more or less, depending on the design you want to make.) Submerge the tied up napkins into the still-warm dye. Leave in the dye for one hour.
Step 5: Remove from dye, and allow to dry on a rack (a cookie rack works great!) while still tied. Tip: I allowed them to dry overnight before removing the rubber bands with scissors.
Step 6: Remove the rubber bands from the napkins, and iron or steam them to remove any wrinkles. Care tip: Hand wash them!
Photos by Alexis Jonnson
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