Makeover

DIY: Block-Printed Tea Towels, Inspired by Moses Eaton

July 21, 2023

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Block prints are far from new, but they’re certainly having a moment.

For an old-meets-modern take, take a page out of the summer section of our new(ish) book, Remodelista in Maine. Inspired by classic New England folk artists like Moses Eaton, whose whimsical motifs decorated the walls of many a Northeast farmhouse, our own Justine Hand created a modernized, tone-on-tone block-print tea towel. The designs work on kitchen linens, napkins, lampshades, shams… and make a charming host gift, too.

Here’s Justine’s DIY:

Supplies

Cotton or linen tea towel, washed and ironed
Masking or painter’s tape
Stencil adhesive
Moses Eaton stencil (available from mbhistoricdecor.com)
Textile paint
Shallow dish for paint
Large flat-tipped paintbrush or sponge
Paper towel
Iron

Step 1

Above: Lay a towel flat over a protected surface and secure the corners with tape. Make sure the fabric is taut. In a well-ventilated work space, spray the reverse side of your stencil with a light coat of adhesive, which will keep the stencil in place while you work and stop paint from running under it. Make sure you cover the whole surface, but do not oversaturate it, as the adhesive may stain the towel. Carefully lay the adhesive side of the stencil onto your towel, pressing around each edge.

Step 2

Above: Pour a small amount of paint into the shallow dish. Dip only the tip of the brush into the pigment and blot it onto a paper towel until the brush is almost dry Holding the brush straight up and down, vigorously tap the fabric within the stencil pattern. Repeat, slowly building up thin layers of paint until you achieve a rich color.

Step 3

Above: Gently peel off the stencil. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly. Heat set with an iron according to the paint instructions, and wash the towel before use.