A few weeks ago, I needed a fresh set of tea towels. I usually hit the nearest dollar store for basics, but I remembered a stack of plain white towels I’d stashed at home. It didn’t take long to find them, and the crafter in me immediately thought, “These could use a makeover.”
After weighing a few ideas, the quickest and most fun option was fruit stamping. I’d done this with my grandmother on a slow Sunday with my sister before, and it’s one of those simple family crafts that’s equal parts relaxing and rewarding. Once the paint dries, the results are always surprisingly beautiful — like a crisp citrus print tea towel straight out of a boutique.
What I love about this DIY tea towel project is how few supplies it needs. Depending on the size of your towel and the fruit you use, this can be a quick one-sitting craft or a patient, meditative project. Either way, it’s worth the effort: you’ll end up with a practical, personalized kitchen piece that also makes a lovely handmade gift.
There are lots of ways to approach this project once you get the hang of it. Stamp a single color for a minimalist, modern look, use full fruit wedges for a playful pattern, or mix halves and wedges in different hues to create a colorful citrus pattern. This is a perfect summer craft idea and a great way to refresh your kitchen linens.
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Scroll down for the step-by-step instructions (with photos) and the video tutorial, so you can watch how it’s done and follow along easily. Hope you like this DIY project idea as much as I do!
What You’ll Need for Citrus Print Tea Towels
How to Make DIY Citrus Print Tea Towels
Step 1: Prepare the Citrus for Stamping
Choose a citrus fruit, such as a lemon or orange, and cut it in half. Gently scoop out the inside without damaging the membrane walls, as they will play an important role in your design. Once all the pulp is removed, pat the fruit dry with a paper towel to ensure the paint adheres smoothly and evenly.Step 2: Mix the Paint with Textile Medium
Pour equal parts of your chosen paint and textile medium into a palette, or follow the ratio on the medium’s label. Stir until smooth and evenly blended.Step 3: Paint the Citrus Half
Take the dried citrus and apply paint onto the membrane walls and the border of the exposed skin. Avoid adding too much paint, as this can cause bleeding on the fabric and blur the details of your print.Step 4: Stamp the Tea Towel
Stamp the citrus onto the cloth unevenly, leaving small spaces between each print. Keep a gap in the middle of each row so the next row can be aligned in the center of these spaces, creating a balanced and visually appealing pattern.Step 5: Add Variety with Colors and Shapes
Repeat the stamping process using different colors to make your design more lively. For a new pattern, cut the citrus halves into wedges to create smaller prints and unique shapes.
After finishing the stamping, allow the paint on the tea towel to dry completely
Pro Tip: When cutting the fruit into a wedge, keep the membrane walls intact on one half. For extra stability, you can insert a toothpick along the straight edge to help the wedge hold its shape while stamping
Materials
- Citrus Fruit (Orange or Lemon)
- Knife
- Acrylic Paint
- Textile Medium
- Paint Palette
- Paintbrush
- Plain White Tea Towel
⭐ Pro Tip
Press firmly and evenly when stamping for a seamless finish. To protect your work surface, place newspaper, parchment paper, or any protective layer under the tea towel, as the paint can seep through. If your towel shifts, secure it with masking tape on the underside so you get crisp edges every time.
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DIY Citrus Print Tea Towel
