Light up the table with pops of color with this whimsical Christmas Tree Napkins adorned with ornaments, it’s perfect for hosting for the holidays.

Supplies:

• White Cotton Square Napkin
• Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye: Dark Green, Kelly Green, Fuchsia, Cherry Red, Aquamarine
• Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative
• Elmer's Glue
• Small Containers for Dyeing
• Medium Container for Dyeing
• Small Sponge Dauber, 2
• Measuring Cup and Spoon
• Paper Towels
• Dish Detergent
• Salt
• Plastic Table Cover

Time: 1 hour

Difficulty: Intermediate

Instructions: 

1. Cover your work area and gather supplies.
2. For best results, prewash napkins, rinse and dry. This will help to remove any finishes that may interfere with dye absorption.
3. Apply dots of Elmer’s Glue all over the napkin using a craft sponge dauber and let it dry completely until the glue hardens.
4. Fill two containers with 8 cups of very hot tap water (140F). If the water is not hot enough, heat water on the stove or in a microwave and add to the dyebath.
5. Wearing rubber gloves, add All-Purpose Dye to water; stir well. We used Rit All-Purpose Liquid Dye in Dark Green and Apple Green.
6. Add 2 tsp salt to each dyebath; stir well. Salt helps to intensify the color.
7. Test dye color by dipping a paper towel into the dyebath. If color is too light, add more dye; if it is too dark, add more water.
8. Dip two opposite corners into the Apple Green dyebath then dip the other two opposite corners in the Dark Green Dyebath until desired color is achieved. Move the napkin slowly up and down and back and forth. Continue dipping napkin until you are satisfied with the color. This may take 5 – 10 minutes. Color will look darker when wet and prior to washing.
9. To enhance the color and reduce color bleeding, immerse the dyed parts of the napkins into Rit ColorStay Dye Fixative for 20 minutes, following these directions.
10. Rinse napkins in cool water to remove excess dyes. Then rinse in warm water to remove remaining glue residue.
11. Allow your napkins to dry completely.
12. Fill several small containers with 2 tablespoons of All-Purpose Liquid Dyes in desired colors with 4 cups of hot water.
13. Using a small sponge dauber, apply dyes onto the white circles created from the glue resist to color in the ornaments and let dry.
14. Once dry, set dyed area with an iron. This is important as the heat will help to set the dye.
15. Wash entire napkin in cold water with mild detergent, rinse and hang dry.
16. Once dry, fold and tie to create desired tree shape. Insert dry cinnamon stick to the bottom for the tree trunk.