The Prettiest Craft You Can Make This Easter

By Jane Dunnewold


Easter and crafts go hand-in-hand, so why not spotlight some seasonal creativity on the dining table. Follow these simple instructions to turn plain napkins and doilies into one-of-a-kind place settings. Photo by Emily Kate Roemer/Studio D; Prop styling by Gerri Williams.


Fabric Dye

Create bright colors first. Then, dye away!

TOTAL 5 min COST $11.95 (enough for a set of 12 napkins and doilies)

Materials
• Measuring cups
• Hot (not boiling) water
• Small bucket or plastic mixing bowl
• Rubber gloves
• Dust mask
• PRO Chemical and Dye Inc. Easter Decor Dye Kit (includes salt, activator, dyes and Synthrapol detergent, $11.95; ProChemicalAndDye.com)*
• Measuring spoons
• 8-oz jar with tight-fitting lid
• 16-oz jar with tight-fitting lid

Directions
1. Measure 8 cups hot water into the small bucket or mixing bowl.
2. Wearing the rubber gloves and dust mask (chemicals and dye are not dangerous, but still shouldn't be inhaled), add ½ cup salt and ½ cup dye activator to the water.
3. Stir until the chemicals are dissolved, about 30 seconds.
4. For pink dye: Combine ½ cup chemical water with ½ tsp ProRed 305 dye in the 8-oz jar. Tighten the lid and shake until the powder is dissolved.
5. For green dye: Combine 1 cup chemical water with 1 tsp Sun Yellow dye, 1 tsp Turquoise dye and 1 tsp Basic Blue dye in the 16-oz jar. Tighten the lid and shake until the powder is dissolved.

*NOTE: You can also try Rit Liquid Dye ($3.99; JoAnn.com). Follow package instructions and test first, since colors may vary from those pictured here. Dye may not be as colorfast as the solution suggested above.


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Ombré Napkins: Step 1

ACTIVE 12 min TOTAL 3½ hr
COST $10 plus dye cost

Materials
• White all-cotton napkins ($9.99 for set of 12; BedBathandBeyond.com)
• Wax paper
• 2"-wide paintbrush
• Pink dye solution (created earlier)
• Sponge
• Chemical water (created earlier)

In a bowl or at the sink, dampen one end (about ¼) of a napkin with tap water. Keep one end dry to stop the dye from spreading and create an ombré effect with white at one end.


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Ombré Napkins: Step 2

Cut a piece of wax paper larger than the napkin and lay it on a work surface. Place the napkin on top with the wet end at the bottom. Using the paintbrush, apply pink dye along the wet edge of the napkin.


Ombré Napkins: Step 3

Dip a sponge in the clear chemical water. With short strokes, use it to wick the dye across the napkin. Let the dyed napkin rest on the wax paper for 3 hours. Rinse in cold water, then hot water, until excess dye is removed.


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Easter Grass Doilies

ACTIVE 5 min TOTAL 4½ hr COST $30 plus dye cost

Materials
• Green dye, chemical water (created earlier) and Synthrapol detergent (if using kit)
• Large plastic bowl or bucket
• Plain white all-cotton doilies ($29.99 for set of 12; FactoryDirectCraft.com)
• Plastic spoon

Directions
1. Pour green dye into the large bucket and add 2 cups chemical water.
2. Add the doilies to the dye solution and use the plastic spoon to ensure they are covered with dye. Let soak for at least 3 hours to set dye.
3. Rinse the doilies in cold running water, wring out and transfer to a washing machine. Add 1 tsp Synthrapol detergent. Wash and rinse in cold water using the shortest cycle on the machine.
4. Lay flat to dry at least 1 hour. While damp, reshape doilies to original size.
5. Gather in a small cup or basket and add a hardboiled dyed egg to complete the look.


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