This post, DIY Patterned Cloth Napkins, is sponsored by JOANN, the place of my crafty dreams! Thank you for supporting the brands that keep the lights on and the crafts coming!

I love creating my own fabric patterns to use around my home on everything from pillows to napkins. Sometimes I will paint on fabric, but when I want crisp lines, vibrant colors, and a soft hand feel, I turn to one of my favorite crafting staples. Iron-on vinyl. With iron-on heath transfer vinyl, a Cricut Explore Air 2, and the Cricut EasyPress 2 machine bundle in rose, you easily create your own DIY patterned cloth napkins in mere minutes. The hardest part is deciding which pattern to create! As you can see, I had trouble choosing just one, so instead I used the same colors of vinyl to create 4 unique patterns that all coordinate and look fab together. My summer dining table game is going to be on point!

Materials to make your own DIY Patterned Cloth Napkins:

• White cotton napkins
• Iron-on vinyl in an assortment of colors to match your decor or party
• Cricut EasyPress 2 9”x9” Machine Bundle-Rose
• Cricut Explore Air 2

Instructions

Begin by cutting out your patterns for your napkins using your Cricut Explore Air 2. For the flower pattern, I used this template from The House That Lars Built. For the terrazzo, stripes, and abstract 90’s pattern, I just used scissors to free hand cut the vinyl pieces.

To begin the iron-on process, first lay your napkin over the foam iron on surface that comes in the Cricut EasyPress bundle. Next, it is time to lay out your pattern. For an easy pattern like the terrazzo or stripes, just cut the shapes and lay them out on your napkin shiny plastic side up.

Then place the hot EasyPress machine on the cut vinyl and let sit for 30 seconds. What I love about the EasyPress is that it has a built in temperature control (I like using mine at 275F) and a timer, so that it can count down for you!

Once your timer has counted down to zero, remove the EasyPress and place in back in it’s docking station. Then let the fabric cool and peel off the plastic backing. At this point I like to give the fabric one more press to ensure the vinyl is well adhered. To do this, cover the pattern with a pressing cloth (another napkin works great!) and then place the EasyPress on the pressing cloth covering the patterned napkin and let sit for 30 more seconds.

Finally, repeat the pattern on all portions of the napkin using the same technique as above, then your simple patterned napkins are done!

Complex Patterns

Now, for more complex patterns where there is layering of colors (like the floral pattern), simply cut all the shapes from the vinyl and weed away the negative space. Then cut the pieces up into individual parts. Now, you are going to want to start with the bottom layer and work your way up. For the flowers, that means starting with the stems.

Once your stems are pressed on to the napkin, remove the plastic film from the vinyl and then add your first flower layer. Place a pressing cloth over the pattern and place the EasyPress on the pattern for 30 seconds. Let cool and remove the plastic from the first layer of flowers. Next it is time for your second layer. Repeat this process being sure to cover your pattern with the pressing cloth before pressing.

As you can see, these flower stems took 6 layers of vinyl for the final look. So they were a bit more complicated than the simple lines or terrazzo pattern, but I think it was well worth it! Just look how colorful and summery they are!

Back in the day I used to use just a plain iron to press on my vinyl, but it took forever and my iron always heated unevenly. I absolutely love the Cricut EasyPress 2 because it makes the iron-on process so much quicker and easier. If you love to use iron-on, I definitely recommend investing in the EasyPress!

Now that I have my pretty DIY patterned cloth napkins, I think it’s time to throw a party, don’t you?!

For more napkin ideas, check out these DIY Marbled Napkins or these Watercolor Polka Dot Napkins.