I love using cloth napkins. I also have spent years collecting them. Some are vintage, others are not, but they all start out as white.
I recently started volunteering for Urban Seeds. They provide several great services including “Book and Cook” for kids, and the Nourish program. You can see what they do here. They recently put out a call for cloth napkins for their Farm to Table fundraising dinner this week. I didn’t see this message until the middle of last week, so wasn’t sure how many they still needed. When I contacted the agency director, she said 45. So I set out to dye 45 for her and a few for us.
For these napkins I need to vat dye them. I’ve never had any luck low immersion dyeing this napkins because I want a solid color. Instead of using a real vat, I am using my Wonder Washer. Here is an old post and a video on how to use this neat portable washer for dyeing. I bought mine through Amazon in 2015.
I found that if I put it on the floor I didn’t have to babysit it. The timer only goes up to 15 minutes so I can go back in the house and do what I wanted, and then come back and reset. Here are the different colors I dyed these napkins. I am using fiber reactive dyes that only dye natural fibers. If you see some of the patterns that aren’t white, that’s because they are some type of polyester. The vintage ones that show the design dyed but a bit darker, is because the threads of the designs are linen or silk, which although natural dye differently than the cotton. So when I am dyeing some of these napkins I have no idea how they are going to turn out.
And here they are all together.
Then I dyed some blue ones for us. If you look at the front two blue napkins you can see the design but it blends with the background showing that it is also cotton.
I was happy to be able to dye those napkins for that important event.
Another thing I did this past week is get my hair cut! Since it was at least 12 inches, I was able to donate my hair to an organization that makes wigs for children. Here is my donation.
My before picture:
And after.
The jury is still out on whether I like it. I have a feeling I’ll be making a trip back to her to cut it a bit shorter!!
Until next time, have a great week.
Loved the blue you dyed your own napkins. I know it is Fiber Reactive, but wondering the name of it. Thanks for sharing and being such a
generous person with you time and talents.
The napkins are luscious and I love your hair style. And both for good causes.
Love all those napkins. So wonderful of you to donate the napkins as well as your time and talent dyeing them to a good cause. I am glad you did a set for yourself as well. I also recently got a lot of hair cut off – I have not had my hair cut since November 2019 so about 18″ was cut off. Since she put it in a pony tail and immediately ran it to the back of the salon, I assume it was donated. Unlike you, I went short, short, short, a pixie cut. It is my preferred style.
KJ, Your hair was a bit longer than mine. Mine was last cut early January 2020. When I called to make an appointment with the salon I asked them if they donated hair. They said they did so they took care of everything. She braided it because they evidently wanted it sent that way. I had to fill out a form for the charity. Yeah, I’m probably going to go shorter next month! Thanks for dropping by.
Sherrie, Thanks.
Mary Jane, The blue was Azure Blue. They could have been darker. I just put more in than the 1/2 lb of fabric so they are light. Thank you for your kind words.
Thanks. I will try that one……too.
Your napkins are scrumptious and I applaud you for donating them. I also only use cloth napkins and a few years ago I shibori dyed 65 vintage, some donated, some found online. I took some of them to my Florida home, gave some as gifts and use them here for everyday and when I have a party. I think your short hair looks very cute!
Those napkins turned out great!
The haircut is lovely, too.
Lynda, I love all of your napkins! I am sure they were greatly appreciated.
I let my hair grow during the “early years” of the pandemic…from December 2019 – December 2021. I then donated it as well. Hope that it makes some child’s life a bit brighter.
Thanks for all of your wonderful info…I always look forward to receiving your emails!
Janice, Thanks!
Norma, Thanks. I bet your napkins were beautiful! Thanks.
Frani, Thank you! It felt so good to do something for those kids. Glad you were able to do it too. You are so welcome. Thanks for reading my blog and commenting.
Your new ‘do’ is absolutely adorable….and what a great cause you helped!