Zabet Stewart (photo)
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Infestation

There I was, naked and covered in motor oil. The truly unfortunate part was that I was trapped in a windowless room full of motor oil-eating spiders. I knew I had to think fast to escape my grisly fate, but it was hard to focus through the sheer blind panic. If only I had a napkin, that that could be the start of plan, the seed of some hope! But I only had my ancestral instincts and a strong desire to wet my pants. Damn, it was going to be a bad day.

by Raellyn Hatter and Zabet Stewart

Suggested Watching

Eight-legged Freaks (2002, rated PG-13)
Arachnaphobia (1990, rated PG)

Difficulty

Box of Rocks
Click here for definitions of difficulty levels.

Zabet Stewart (photo)
click image to enlarge

Finished Measurements

Depends on what size you start out with and if they are preshrunk or not. Ours are 17" square.

Materials

• 6 white cotton napkins, washed and ironed
• 3 or 4 cans of Simply Spray Soft Fabric Dye in desired colors (we recommend black, purple, red, and more black.)
• Spider-shaped hole punch (ours is Martha Stewart™) and heavy cardstock or die-cut spider stickers
• Plastic doilies (you will probably have to go thrifting to find these, they were popular circa 1960)
• Newspapers or craft paper so you don't dye things you don't mean to.

Step 2
Zabet Stewart (photo)
click image to enlarge

Design Notes

You may want to read the tips here: Staging an Infestation with Spray Dye.

Directions

Step 1:

Set up your work area. You will need adequate ventilation, and we recommend you do this outside. Lay down newspapers to protect surfaces and/or plants. Pre-punch your spiders if you are using a hole punch.

Step 3
Zabet Stewart (photo)
click image to enlarge

Step 2:

Lay a napkin flat onto your work surface and arrange your spiders and/or lace doilies as desired on top of it.

Step 3:

With a steady, even spray, go over your napkin. Get corners twice to make sure they are properly covered. The most basic napkins can be done this way. If you're happy with your napkin, let it dry 72 hours before washing and drying it. If you want more, proceed to Step 4; if not, skip to Step 5.

Step 4:

Let then napkin dry about 15 minutes, arrange more spiders and/or lace doilies on top, and spray again with another color. Let dry 72 hours before washing and drying.

Step 5:

Have dinner, and giggle when your guests are squeamish about touching the napkins.

Zabet Stewart (photo)
click image to enlarge

Zabet Stewart (photo)
click image to enlarge

Zabet Stewart (photo)
click image to enlarge

About

contact Raellyn • contact Zabet • legal info