DIY Polka-Dot Embroidered Watercolor Napkins

Carla and I talk over video on Google, and the other day she called me while I was working on this project.  She said “are you SEWING??” Not only was I sewing, but I was drinking tea, wearing my pajamas and watching a British drama series in the middle of the afternoon.  It was the Best. Day. Ever.  And apparently I am an 80 year old British woman.

We don’t have many tutorials that involve sewing on the blog, which is why I think Carla was surprised.  But this project involves easy sewing, and it’s decorative sewing by hand, which is way more fun than sitting at a sewing machine.  There’s no real skill involved, just a little patience.  It’s the perfect project to brighten up a rainy day.  So put the tea kettle on, grab your fuzzy socks and throw on The Forsyte Saga and make a set of these embroidered watercolor napkins to match your decor or to celebrate the seasons.  If you’re really feeling ambitious, you could use the same technique on a tea towel, tablecloth, table runner or picnic blanket. 

DIY Embroidered Watercolor Napkins

What you’ll need:

Neutral-colored cloth napkins

Fabric paint

Paint brush

Embroidery thread that coordinates with the fabric paint

Embroidery needle

Embroidery hoop

Scissors

What to do:

1. Wash and dry the napkins.

2. Mix the fabric paint until you receive the desired level of opacity with some water and paint polka dots on the napkins.  Let them dry.

3. Use the embroidery hoop to isolate a polka dot.  Use a running stitch to outline the polka dot with the coordinating embroidery floss. Repeat with as many of the dots as you wish.