Block Printed Tea Towels

Cotton flour sack tea towels are my absolute favorite in the kitchen but they need a bit of pizzazz too.  With the help of some fabric paint and a lino block or stamp, this simple project adds some sunshine to kitchen chores.  For this weekend’s project, grab some materials and make some of your own.  WARNING: printing is addictive.  Soon you will be doing napkins, placemats, table cloths, curtains, clothing….

Materials:

  • Flour sack tea towels (ironed)
  • Fabric Paint
  • Paint roller / brushes
  • Linoleum block or rubber stamp
  • Old towel and large plastic bag (freezer bags are good, plastic shipping envelope used here)
  • Paint tray (top of a salad box used here)
  • Iron

 

Directions:

1.  Mix up your paint colour using fabric paints which are intended to heat set to withstand washing and use.  Roll jus

t a wee bit of paint onto your stamp or block.  A little goes a long, long way but too much paint will make your print gloopy (i.e.: bleed outside of your intended design).

2. Set up your printing area by folding the old towel over a few times and covering it with the plastic bag.  This is so there is a bit of give below the fabric you will be stamping, ensuring a nice even transfer.

3. On a piece of paper or some scrap fabric, do a test print on your bag/towel block to ensure you get the color and the amount of paint needed right.  I didn’t like the double stem on my original design so I adjusted the top before printing the fabric.  Like the results?  Then on to the next step.

 

4. Time to print your fabric!  Stamp it like you did the paper and set aside to dry.

 

 

5. The final step is to heat set your beautiful creations with a dry iron for about 5-10 minutes.  Once that’s done, your tea towel can be used, washed, and dried.

 

Here is the final design from the linoleum block that I carved (which by the way is also addictive!):

 

 

And here is the result from a rubber stamp:

 

 



The sunny yellow color is very much a theme for January.  Despite the weather being grey, there is something about a new year / optimism / yellow that connects for me.  Also Citrus Celebration has been a theme now that we have so many amazing citrus fruits in season.  If that wasn’t enough, here’s another dose of sunshine for you from the shop:

This project may very well get included in the following wonderful parties.  Thanks for visiting!

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January 21 2012 07:55 pm | Projects

14 Responses to “Block Printed Tea Towels”

  1. Kathy, Petticoat Junktion on 21 Jan 2012 at 8:17 pm #

    I love the yellow! Kathy

  2. megan on 22 Jan 2012 at 8:43 am #

    Your set up looks like my set up right… It is addictive! I am running a tutorial this afternoon on printing at a baby shower….

    Beautiful yellows. Did you make the large stamp?

    Cheers,

    Megan

  3. pooch purple reign on 22 Jan 2012 at 5:42 pm #

    im loving that sunflower pillow. cute towels too!
    ~laura

  4. Andi S on 23 Jan 2012 at 9:17 am #

    This is such a great idea to bring in a dash of seasonal color! I love that you can totally customize the look to fit your style. You’re right, it looks like it would be totally addicting!

  5. Kristin on 23 Jan 2012 at 11:49 am #

    Thanks for sharing at Simply Klassic Home!

    I love tea towels too, and have several, although I’ve never printed them on my own. Will have to try that for sure!!

  6. Betsy J on 24 Jan 2012 at 11:04 am #

    It’s soooo perfect! The yellow is the perfect touch of happy.

  7. Annie B. on 25 Jan 2012 at 4:19 pm #

    WOW!!! I love your link up! Super cool! And creative!

  8. Aimee on 26 Jan 2012 at 9:30 am #

    The printed towels are gorgeous! So simple, and so lovely. Another great gift idea!

  9. Tracey on 26 Jan 2012 at 10:59 am #

    Hi Stevie
    I stumbled across your blog today and boy, am I glad I did!! First off, I want to tell you how excited I am to go and make these dishcloths and also how cool it is that you write for Delish. I photograph for Delish !!!!! Very cool. Keep in touch!

  10. Stevie on 26 Jan 2012 at 9:55 pm #

    Hi Tracy, so glad to ‘meet’ you! Your photos are stunning.

  11. Stevie on 26 Jan 2012 at 9:55 pm #

    Thanks, Aimee. Let me know if you try them :)

  12. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. on 27 Jan 2012 at 7:01 pm #

    Oh how cool! I want to try this! Thanks so much for sharing!

  13. Michele @ {Primp} on 31 Jan 2012 at 9:04 am #

    love those flour sack towells–thanks for sharing!

  14. Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage on 01 Feb 2012 at 4:39 pm #

    That IS a great way to add some sunshine indoors. I love shades of yellow in January, too. It helps to banish the cold-weather blues. ;)

    Thanks for linking to Time Travel Thursday. Hope to see you again this week.

    Blessings,
    Liz @ The Brambleberry Cottage

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