diy gift idea: personalized table linens by lotta jansdotter

Exciting! Today we have the second in our series of original handmade gift and holiday projects by Lotta Jansdotter. (Check out her first project for us, how to make scrap fabric potholders.) We’re really excited to share her second project: How to personalize table linens with iron-on paper. Here’s Lotta:

This is the time when the holiday parties are starting to kick into high gear. I like to have an annual glogg (Swedish mulled drink) party for my friends and family, plus we have a Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve.

Instead of using paper napkins at these parties, I use simple and inexpensive cotton napkins, but I make them a bit more personal by adding my designs.

Trust me, this isn’t difficult. Using iron-on paper is a very simple way to add patterns and designs to any cotton or linen fabric. It will take you almost no time at all, and you don’t need any experience. You can decorate a set of napkins for your dinner using one of your drawings or another design that you enjoy. Here’s how.

LOTTA

What you need:

• Iron-on paper, which you can buy at an office supply store or order online.
• A good iron. (I like my Rowenta iron because it is nice and heavy, and the precision tip helps me iron down the fine detailed edges of my iron-on designs.)
• Cotton and linen napkins, cocktail napkins or a table cloth. I recommend checking out West Elm and Ikea for inexpensive table linens.
• A sharp pair of scissors
• An ink -jet printer
• A computer
• A scanner (optional)

What you do:

1. Start by creating your designs. Either scan it onto your computer or create it on illustrating software. Be sure the dimensions fit the fabric you have, and remember to mirror your image if you’re using letters or numbers. Print your designs on iron-on paper.
2. Trim your designs: Cut away excess material, keeping a narrow margin around the edges.
3. Place the transfer paper with printed image down on your napkin or tablecloth. Set your iron on the high setting for cotton and linen. Use both hands and firmly move the iron over your image for 45 seconds to 1 minute.
4. Let the transfer cool completely before you slowly peel off the backing. If the image begins lifting off your fabric, it’s not done and needs to be ironed a bit more.
5. And that’s it!

Have fun and happy making!

Lotta Jansdotter is Rowenta’s Craft Ambassador and Textile Designer, so be sure to check out more of her craft ideas, videos and projects at Rowenta’s CraftLab. And, of course, stay tuned next week for another lovely Lotta project!