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DIY Christmas Napkins with a Vintage Look

Use Mod Podge photo transfer medium to create these awesome Mod Podge photo transfer Christmas napkins – complete with a vintage holiday graphic!

Use Mod Podge photo transfer medium to create these awesome Mod Podge photo transfer Christmas napkins - complete with a vintage holiday graphic!

Ciao! My name is Morena and I am the crafty mind behind the tutorials at Morena’s Corner, here to show you how to make these Mod Podge photo transfer Christmas napkins.

I love to share ideas for projects that are fast, frugal, and fabulous: easy on time and money, and great to look at! I am a stay at home mom to four young children, and crafting is what helps me maintain my sanity.

If you’ve seen my work then you know that I have a “thing” for retro and vintage images. There’s just something about the color and whimsy in them that makes me smile.

So I combined vintage images and Mod Podge, two items that I love to craft with, to make fun Christmas napkins! These will fit in perfectly with my family’s “A Christmas Story” marathon watching tradition.

Vintage Christmas graphic transferred to a napkin

Homemade Christmas Napkins

Supplies needed:

Step 1: Choose the image you wish to use for your Christmas napkins. I cut mine from a book that was falling apart.

Step 2: Apply a generous amount of Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium to the image. It should be thick enough that you can barely see the image underneath.

Christmas napkins using a photo transfer

Step 3: Place your cloth napkin on wax paper. Place your image face down onto the fabric and press down firmly. Remove any excess that seeps out. Let it dry for 24 hours.

Step 4: Use a wet washcloth to get the paper damp. Rub gently to remove the paper and expose the image underneath. Work in small sections.

Use Mod Podge photo transfer medium to create these awesome Mod Podge photo transfer Christmas napkins - complete with a vintage holiday graphic!

You’re done with your Christmas craft! Allow your Christmas napkins to dry for 72 hours before washing. I threw mine in the washing machine and it still looked great when it came out!

I even ironed right on top of the image with no problem. The picture is there for good. Amazing, I tell ya! One down, seven napkins to go. . .


If you enjoyed these DIY Christmas napkins, you might also enjoy these other projects:

Samantha

Tuesday 25th of June 2013

I noticed you didn't answer Sabrina's question and am also curious as to the answer: "Does this work with any type of photo (such as, a regular photo) or does it have to be a print that is on thin paper like a book?"

Amy

Tuesday 25th of June 2013

Hi Samantha! No, it works with inkjet photos (printed out) only as far as I know. I haven't tried laserjet.

Jillian

Wednesday 27th of February 2013

Hi,

There's probably a very obvious answer to this question but where it says "place your napkin on wax paper" I don't really understand what you mean. Why do I need to do that as it appears to have no bearing on the process? I'm probably just being dumb but please can you expand? Thank you xx

Amy

Wednesday 27th of February 2013

Hi Jillian! It's so that when you place the photo medium down on the napkin, it doesn't soak through to your surface. With Mod Podge you can use wax paper to protect any surface and the item will still peel off without damage :D

Sabrina

Monday 17th of December 2012

Does this work with any type of photo (such as, a regular photo) or does it have to be a print that is on thin paper like a book?

Emily M

Sunday 18th of November 2012

What does it feel like? Can you still feel the cloth or does it feel like paper glued to it?

Morena

Sunday 18th of November 2012

Ditto what Amy said. It's very smooth and soft, and the feel reminds me of T-shirts that have images pressed on them. It doesn't feel like paper but it's not like paint...you don't feel the fabric. I was really impressed with how vivid the colors are and how well it held up to washing. I can't wait to do a bigger project next!

Amy

Sunday 18th of November 2012

It doesn't feel like fabric - it feels like a very thin layer of smooth Mod Podge (but dry). I don't mind it, personally :D

alvina castro

Thursday 15th of November 2012

these sound so easy to make! I think the napkins cute too

Morena

Sunday 18th of November 2012

Thanks, Alvina! :)