DIY Stenciled Tea Towels: Cozy Craft for the Kitchen -

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Learn how to make DIY stenciled tea towels with acrylic paint. This cozy kitchen craft is simple, affordable, and beginner friendly.

An easy way to add custom charm to your kitchen is with a stenciled dish towel. — *As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains other affiliate links too for your convenience. You can read my privacy policy for more details.

You might remember the kitchen towels I shared a couple of years ago that I customized with rubber stamps.

They were simple, charming, and one of those projects that made everyday kitchen linens feel a little more special.

Well…

When I stumbled upon a stencil kit while shopping online recently, it immediately brought me back to that same creative spark.

Only this time, instead of stamping, I started imagining what plain white kitchen towels would look like with a stenciled design.

And let me tell you,

Stenciling is easier, more beautiful, and extremely nostalgic.

If you were a child of the ’80s or early ’90s, chances are something was stenciled in your childhood home.

Maybe it was ivy trailing across the top of the living room walls (this was my house).

Or maybe it was a border in the bathroom.

There’s something about that look that feels cozy and familiar.

But now, instead of covering an entire wall with geese and grapevines, we’re keeping it simple.

It’s a craft you can complete in 15 minutes or less.

No full weekend project.

No big mess.

Just a quick, creative DIY that turns a white kitchen towel into something that feels thoughtful and handmade.

What You’ll Love About This DIY

Inexpensive using plain white kitchen towels.
Beginner-friendly, no artistic skills required.
Customizable to any season or color scheme.
Adds vintage inspired charm to your kitchen.

Supplies You’ll Need to Make Stenciled Kitchen Towels

The best part about making custom kitchen towels with stencils is that you don’t need anything fancy, just a few basic supplies and a little creativity.

The supplies you'll need to make DIY stenciled tea towels include acrylic paint, stencils, white kitchen towels, and paint brushes.

Plain White Flour Sack Towels: Cotton or linen towels work best.
Stencil: Choose a design that fits your kitchen like botanicals or seasonal motifs.
Acrylic Craft Paint: Craft paint is cheap, easy to find, and works great for this DIY.
Stencil Brush: These help you apply paint with a dabbing motion for clean, even coverage.
Painter’s Tape: The stencils I used have a sticky back, but if the ones you’re using don’t, masking tape can keep your stencil securely in place so it doesn’t shift while you’re painting.
Ruler or Tape Measure (optional): If you want to measure the precise placement of the stencil. I did not use one.
Paper Plate: For removing excess paint so you don’t overload your brush.
Cardstock: Slide inside the towel to prevent paint from bleeding through to the back.
Iron: Used after the paint dries to heat set the design for longer lasting results.

materials you’ll need

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I’m Heidi, the heart and hands behind Eleanor Rose Home.

Heidi and her dachshund rescue Eleanor Roosevelt.

I’ll show you that your home can become a place of warmth, comfort, and style with practical tips, creative ideas, and my own journey to help you create a space that feels like you…welcoming, personal, and full of charm.

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What is the difference between stenciling and painting?

Painting is done freehand so you create the design yourself with a brush. Stenciling uses a pre-cut template and a light dabbing motion to apply paint over the openings, creating clean, consistent shapes. It’s perfect for beginners because it gives you a polished look while still feeling handmade.

How to Make Custom Dish Towels Using Stencils and Paint

Creating one-of-a-kind tea towels using stencils and paint is an easy way to add a personal, charming touch to your kitchen.

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Here’s how to do it…

01

Prep Your Tea Towel

Figure out which end of your towel is the top and which is the bottom. Most tea towels have a small fabric hanger loop, that’s your guide. The loop should be at the top once the towel is hanging in your kitchen. Lay the towel flat on a smooth surface with the hanger loop positioned at the top. Next, slide a piece of paper inside the towel. This helps prevent the craft paint from bleeding through to the back side while you stencil. Choose your stencil.

COZY TIP: Don’t worry about wrinkles on the towel. A few creases add to the character of the towel and give it that relaxed, vintage look.

Stencil designs for DIY tea towel for custom kitchen decor.

02

Position Your Stencil

Lay your stencil where you want the design. Centered? Bottom corner? Repeating pattern? This is where you can get creative. If you’re stencil doesn’t have a sticky backing like mine, secure it with painter’s tape so it doesn’t shift while you’re working.

03

Load Your Paintbrush Lightly With Paint

Dip your stencil brush into the craft paint, then remove most of it by dabbing onto a paper plate. This is key. You want your brush nearly dry. Too much paint can cause bleeding under the stencil.

Botanical stencil on white flour sack towel with a plate of paint for stenciling.

Dab the paintbrush in the acrylic paint to paint the stencil onto the towel.

04

Stencil With a Dabbing Motion

Instead of brushing side to side, gently dab the paint straight up and down over the stencil openings. Build the color slowly in light layers rather than applying one heavy coat.

05

Remove the Stencil

While the paint is still slightly wet, carefully lift the stencil straight up to avoid smudging. Let the towel dry completely.

06

Set With Heat

Once fully dry, iron on medium heat for a few minutes to help set the paint.

Custom kitchen decorations include this stenciled tea towel.

Helpful Tips

Use less paint than you think you need. Too much paint is the number one cause of bleeding under the stencil.
Test your design first. Practice on scrap fabric or even paper to get a feel for pressure and paint coverage.
Secure the stencil. Use painter’s tape to keep everything firmly in place so it doesn’t shift while you’re painting.
Lift the stencil straight up. Avoid dragging it across the towel to prevent smudging.
Don’t stress about tiny imperfections. Slight variations make your towel feel handmade instead of factory produced.
Let the paint dry completely before heat setting. Even slightly damp paint can smudge when ironed.

DIY Stenciled Tea Towel Design Ideas

One of my favorite things about this DIY project is how customizable it is.

You can tailor the towel design to your kitchen style or season.

Set of two white dish towels hanging on a metal bar in the pantry with botanical prints stenciled on them.

If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few ideas:

Botanicals: Olive branches, eucalyptus stems, wildflowers, or greenery give your towels a timeless look.
Seasonal Prints: Pumpkins for fall, evergreens for winter, strawberries for summer, or delicate florals for spring.
Minimal Corner Design: Instead of centering the stencil, place it in the lower corner for a different look.
Repeating Border Pattern: A pattern along the bottom hem gives a nod to those ’80s and ’90s stencil borders.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of paint works best for stenciling on tea towels?
I like acrylic craft paint but you could also use fabric paint.

Will the paint wash off of the towels?
If heat set properly, the design will hold up. The paint may fade slightly over time. Wash in cold water and air dry for best longevity.

Can I use towels that aren’t made from cotton or linen?
You can use other types of towels, but cotton and linen will always give you the best results. Natural fibers absorb craft paint more evenly and help prevent bleeding. Synthetic fabrics like polyester can repel paint, which can cause smudging or cracking over time.

Can I use this technique on other kitchen linens?
Yes! This same stenciling technique is a great way to customize other linens like cloth napkins, table runners, aprons, and fabric placemats.