Using fabric paint to make your own DIY stenciled napkins is an easy way to add a personal touch to your entertaining. You can make these as gifts or favors for guests or easily personalize your own table linens for daily or special occasion use.

Supplies:

  • Linen Napkins (I used Cottonique Fabric Napkins)
  • Premade Stencil or Silhouette Machine and Vinyl to make your own
  • Craft Acrylic Paint
  • Fabric Medium
  • Foam Sponge Brush
  • Iron

Instructions for Stenciled Napkins:

Begin by preparing your stencil. To create my individual monograms I used a Silhouette Cameo cutting machine and the included software. I mocked up the desired letters and cut them out of adhesive vinyl. If you would like to skip this step you can easily find vinyl stencils at your local craft store or online.

Once the vinyl was cut I carefully positioned it on the napkins and pushed down firmly to adhere it to the fabric. Protect your work with newsprint or scrap paper underneath your napkins. Prepare your paint by mixing two parts acrylic craft paint to one part fabric medium or as instructed on the fabric medium bottle.

Mix the paint and fabric medium thoroughly with a foam brush and apply to stenciled area. Be sure to blot off excess paint from foam brush before applying to minimize dripping or bleeding.

Allow the paint to dry approximately 15 minutes and carefully remove vinyl stencil. Allow the paint to continue to dry for a full 24 hours before moving on to the next step.

Heat an iron to medium high heat and protect iron board with scrap fabric. Place napkins painted side down on protected ironing board and iron on the backside of the fabric to set the paint.

That’s it! You can now use your DIY stenciled napkins as you would any other!

What would you stencil on your napkins? A monogram like I did or other design? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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