DIY Personalized Napkins

DIY Personalized Napkins: Use heat transfer vinyl and a cutting machine to add any phrase, or monogram to napkins for a custom look.

This month for our #12MonthsOfDIY challenge we’re working with vinyl.  I used the heat transfer vinyl from Expressions Vinyl and made some custom napkins.  They were really easy to make and I love how they turned out.

Vinyl is such a versatile material, there are endless things you can do with it.  I thought it would be fun to do something with the iron-on vinyl and add some text to fabric napkins.  I added “life is a party” to mine -I love how fun and festive they are.

This is a really easy, inexpensive way to add a special detail to entertaining.

Materials:

• heat transfer vinyl
• Cricut cutting machine
• napkins
• iron

How To Make DIY Personalized Napkins:

I already had a cutting machine -gathering dust in the basement.  I have an old Cricut -I think the last time I really used it might have been for my Fall Subway Art.  They’ve changed since I got mine about 6 years ago, but I plugged it in and it worked great.  They’re actually really easy to use too.

Creating the Design

I used the cartridge that came with the machine -Plantin SchoolBook.  I cut out my letters in 3/4” size and used this chart from Expressions Vinylt to figure out my cutting speed, pressure and blade depth (med., med., 3 in my case).

Cutting the Vinyl

On my first attempt, I flipped the text, but didn’t realize I also needed to type it backwards.  Second attempt I flip cut and typed the letters backwards and it worked out great. (This is because you’re cutting on the flip side of the vinyl).

I cut out all four together, and weeded them all together (that’s what they call removing all the negative pieces of vinyl in the cut-out).

Next, I used scissors to cut out each phrase individually.

Iron On

Then you just iron it onto your napkins.  I used some pieces of linen look fabric I actually picked up at the dollar store.  Their colour and texture are really nice.  When I washed them the edges frayed and I really like it, so I decided against hemming them.  That made this a super simple project.

I love how they turned out -I made four, but I think I just might need to make this into a set of twelve.

DIY Personalized Napkins

You could customize the napkins with anything…think holidays, weddings, names, manners, conversations starters.  The sky’s the limit.

With DIY Personalized Napkins, life really is a party!

You might also like our Dip Dyed Runner and Napkins here.

Also check out our Ribbon Wall Hanging here.

You might also enjoy our DIY Burlap Table Runner here.

Now it’s time to see the rest of the DIY vinyl project ideas from my Canadian blogging friends!

From the top left, they are:

Number Subway Art from Love Create Celebrate

DIY Upcycled Faux Geometric Mosaic Tile Serving Tray Using Vinyl from Sustain My Craft Habit

Personalized Shoes from Brooklyn Berry Designs

Vinyl Otomi Chargers from PMQ for Two

DIY personalized throw pillow – home is where the heart is from Vin’yet Etc.

DIY Decorated Rain Barrel Using Fun Vibrant Colours from Time With Thea

Child’s Memory Box with Hand-Cut Vinyl Decals from Woman in Real Life

DIY Striped Carafe from Lifeovereasy

Life is a Party Napkins from Life is a Party

Vintage Inspired DIY Office Sign from Heather in Heels

Easy Strawberry Jam with Printable Vinyl Labels from The DIY Mommy

Custom Artwork Using Vinyl from Love Create Celebrate