How-to Make Sun-Printed Cyanotype Napkins

a-tablescape-with-cyanotype-floral-print-napkins

Transform your dining table into a canvas of natural beauty with our DIY Sun-Printed Cyanotype Napkins project.

It's MAGIC! This super easy and enjoyable homespun chic craft provides a unique way to decorate your dining tables. Whether it's a garden party, a brunch, or a cozy dinner at home, these napkins will add a touch of personalized art and conversation to your gatherings.

Finished cyanotype dyed napkins with floral designs

What You Need:

  • 100% natural fiber napkins or kitchen towels (we used 100% cotton kitchen towels for bigger napkins) 
  • Cyanotype solution (we used Jacquard brand)
  • Brushes (you can use sponge brushes if you like)
  • Herbs, leaves, flowers, or any flat objects with interesting silhouettes
  • Cardboard or thick paper (larger than your napkin)
  • Transparent plastic sheet or a piece of glass (optional, for windy days)
  • Sunshine
  • Water and a basin for rinsing
  • Clothes pins for hanging
  • Kitchen Tools:
  • Mixing container for Cyanotype solution
  • Disposable gloves
  • Apron or old clothes (the Cyanotype solution stains)
cyanotype-dye-with-fabric-and-gloves

What to do:

  1. Mix Your Magic: Follow the instructions on your Cyanotype solution to prepare the mix. Typically, it involves combining two separate solutions in equal parts. Do this in a dim area, as the solution is light-sensitive.
  2. Apply Your Blue Touch: Lay your napkin flat on the cardboard and smooth out any wrinkles. Gently apply the Cyanotype solution evenly across the fabric with your brush. Ensure you cover all areas for a consistent blue hue after development. Allow it to dry in a very dark, cool place (this is SUPER important). 
  3. Design with Nature: Once dry, lay your napkins out in the sun and arrange your chosen leaves and flowers on the napkin. You can experiment with different compositions until you find the perfect design. If it's windy, cover your arrangement with a transparent plastic sheet or glass to keep everything in place.
plants-resting-on-napkins-before-being-dyed with syanotype
  1. Sun Bathing: Allow your napkins to expose in the sun. NOTE: Exposure time can vary from 10 minutes to several hours, depending on the intensity of the sun and your desired blue depth.
  2. Rinse and Reveal: After exposure, remove your botanical arrangements and rinse your napkin under cold running water until the water runs clear. This step stops the developing process and reveals the beautiful cyan blue print. Use your clothes pins to hang the napkins and allow to dry completely.
finished-cyanotype-dyed-napkin

Tablescape Ideas

  • Embrace the Visual Chaos: We chose to line our table with a floral "tablecloth" using Thibaut wallpaper and hang yellow wildflowers overhead. The cyanotype napkins lay atop hand thrown white plates. Simple blue glasses along with pewter utensils were at each place setting. The result was a vibe of lunch in the garden...even though you may be in the dining room or kitchen.
    cyanotype-table-napkins-tablescape
  • Flowers Folded into Napkins: Use the same flowers used in your Cyanotype Napkins, and fold them into your napkins with their silverware. The perfect springtime touch.
  • Floral Arrangements: Again, echo the botanical themes of your napkins with fresh flowers in simple vases scattered across your table. You want it to feel as though your table is in bloom. 

Serving Suggestion

  • Honey Tasting Station: Create a small honey tasting station along with a rustic, spring cheese board with various Savannah Bee Company honeys. It's a sweet activity that guests can enjoy, enhancing the natural and artisanal theme of your gathering.
  • Pair your sun-printed cyanotype napkins with a simple, nature-inspired menu. Use ingredients that mirror the elegance and simplicity of your table setting, such as salads adorned with edible flowers, honey-glazed vegetables, or a selection of artisanal cheeses drizzled with honey.
    savannah-bee-company-cheese-board-raw-honeycomb

Washing

  • Avoid washing in soaps or detergents containing phosphates, bleach, or sodium.
  • Test wash a small fabric piece before washing the entire item.
  • Ironing is generally safe for cyanotype fabrics.
  • Any washing can shorten the lifespan of a cyanotype.

Bonus Tips!

  • Experiment with different objects and exposure times to create a variety of napkin designs.
  • Consider making a full set of napkins for a cohesive look, or mix and match for a more eclectic style.
  • These napkins make wonderful gifts, especially when paired with a jar of Savannah Bee Company Honey.

This project blends the artistry of nature with the craft of table setting, creating an unforgettable dining experience that celebrates the beauty of the natural world. Enjoy crafting your Sun-Printed Cyanotype Napkins and the many delightful meals they'll complement!

#savethebees

Published

Back to blog