If you’ve ever fallen in love with the bold black-and-white checks of MacKenzie-Childs — and then immediately winced at the price tag — you’re not alone. The Courtly Check pattern is iconic for a reason. It’s playful but polished, whimsical yet classic, and it has a way of making even the simplest object feel collected and intentional.

A single pillar candle runs $80. A decorative tray will set you back $200. But here’s the thing: you can recreate that same designer look for a fraction of the cost using napkin decoupage.

The secret is high-quality paper napkins in the Courtly Check pattern, applied to white or clear surfaces. When it’s done right, the result is genuinely stunning. In this tutorial, I’m walking you through seven projects that together recreate over $600 worth of MacKenzie-Childs pieces for under $150.

ProjectOriginalDIY Cost
Pillar Candles (set of 3)$229~$12
Wooden Christmas Trees$80~$15
Picture Frames$90~$18
Cork-Back Placemats$100~$25
Glass Cutting Boards$70~$20
Decorative Lacquer Tray$200~$30
Ceramic Tissue Box Cover$100~$20

What You’ll Need for All Projects

Gather these supplies before you start. Many of them carry across every project, so it’s worth having everything on hand.

One Rule to Tattoo on Your Brain: Your base item must be white, clear, or very light in color. Dark surfaces swallow the pattern. If in doubt, paint it white first — two coats of acrylic, fully dry, and you’re good to go.

The Double-Layer Technique (Foundation for Every Project)

Every project in this tutorial builds on the same core method. Get comfortable with this sequence and the rest becomes easy.

  1. Clean your surface thoroughly with rubbing alcohol. Any oil or dust will cause bubbles later.
  2. Apply a thin, even coat of Mod Podge to your surface. Let it dry fully — 20 to 30 minutes. This creates a tacky base that stops the napkin from sliding.
  3. Separate your napkin layers. Most MacKenzie-Childs napkins have two or three plies. You only want the top printed layer.
  4. Brush another thin layer of Mod Podge where the napkin will go. Lay the napkin onto the wet surface and smooth from the center outward with a brayer or brush.
  5. Once dry (about 30 minutes), apply two to three thin topcoats of Mod Podge, letting each one dry completely before adding the next.

A note on thin coats: it’s almost always the right answer. Thick coats stay milky, cause bubbles, and take forever to dry. Thin and patient wins every time.

Project 1

MacKenzie-Childs Candle Dupe

Original: $79.95 eachDIY cost: ~$12–15 | Easy

You have two options here depending on whether you’re using real wax candles or flameless LEDs. Both look incredible — pick based on how you plan to use them.

Method A: Real Wax Pillar Candles (Heat Transfer)

Why no Mod Podge here?Skip the Mod Podge entirely for real candles. The napkin embeds directly into the wax with heat, which is both safer and more authentic-looking.

What you’ll need:

  • Wax pillar candles
  • Courtly Check napkins
  • Heat gun, mini heat press, or hair dryer
  • Parchment paper
  • Scissors

Instructions:

  1. Measure the candle height and circumference. Add about ¼ inch to the circumference for overlap, then cut your napkin (top layer only) to size.
  2. Wipe the candle with a soft, dry cloth. Don’t use water or alcohol — wax repels both.
  3. Wrap the napkin around the candle to check the fit, then remove it and set it aside.
  4. Hold the napkin against the candle and wrap parchment paper around it. Using a heat gun on low (or a hair dryer on high), heat from the outside and press gently as you go, working in two-to-three-inch sections.
  5. At the overlap point, heat thoroughly and press firmly to embed both layers. The seam should almost disappear.
  6. Once the full napkin is applied, pass the heat gun over the entire surface again using circular motions. Let it cool for 30 minutes.
  7. Buff gently with wax paper. This smooths any rough edges and gives the surface a slight sheen.
Tips for wax candlesKeep the heat gun moving — holding it in one spot will melt the wax.If you see dripping, you’re too close or too hot. Back off.Stay at least an inch away from the wick.Allow 24 hours before lighting. These are safe to burn.
mackenzie child dupe

Method B: Flameless LED Candles (Mod Podge)

LED candles never have an open flame, so Mod Podge is completely safe here. This method gives you the most permanent, professional finish — and the candles last forever.

What you’ll need:

  • Flameless LED pillar candles
  • Courtly Check napkins
  • Mod Podge Matte
  • Foam brush
  • Scissors
  • Brayer or credit card

Instructions:

  1. Measure and cut your napkin as in Method A.
  2. Wipe the LED candle with rubbing alcohol and let it dry. Most LED candles have a plastic coating that accepts Mod Podge well.
  3. Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge over the entire candle surface. Let it dry 20 to 30 minutes.
  4. Brush a fresh layer of Mod Podge onto the candle, then starting at the back, wrap the napkin around, overlapping the ends by ¼ inch.
  5. Use a brayer or credit card immediately to roll out all bubbles, working top to bottom. Bubbles are permanent once dry — don’t skip this step.
  6. Let dry 30 minutes, then apply two to three thin topcoats of Mod Podge, drying fully between each.
  7. Seal the top and bottom edges with extra Mod Podge and let cure for 24 hours before handling.

Project 2

Wooden Christmas Trees

Original: $79.95DIY cost: ~$15 | Easy

What you’ll need:

  • Unfinished wooden Christmas trees
  • White acrylic paint
  • Courtly Check napkins
  • Mod Podge Matte
  • Antique Gold Rub n Buff
  • Antique Wax

Instructions:

  1. Base coat the trees with two coats of white acrylic, letting each coat dry fully between applications.
  2. Seal the painted surface with one coat of Mod Podge. Let it dry completely.
  3. Lay your napkin over the tree to plan placement. The check pattern looks best when it’s centered.
  4. Cut napkin pieces slightly larger than each tree surface — you’ll trim excess later.
  5. Brush Mod Podge onto one surface, lay the napkin, and smooth from the center outward. Work one side at a time.
  6. Once dry, trim excess napkin flush with the edges using a craft knife.
  7. Apply three to four topcoats of Mod Podge, drying 20 to 30 minutes between each.
  8. Highlight the edges with Antique Gold Rub n Buff, and finish the base with Antique Wax for a rich wood look.
  9. Optional: sand the edges lightly after the final coat for a natural, aged finish.
mackenzie childs inspired tree

Project 3

Picture Frames

Original: $89.50DIY cost: ~$18 | Easy–Medium

What you’ll need:

  • White or cream picture frames
  • Courtly Check napkins
  • Mod Podge Gloss
  • Silver Rub n Buff

Instructions:

  1. Remove glass and backing from the frame before you start.
  2. If using a clear acrylic frame, paint the back white — this makes the pattern pop.
  3. Apply one base coat of Mod Podge to the frame front and let it dry.
  4. Measure each section carefully. Cut napkin pieces with extra length for corner overlap.
  5. For professional corners, cut the napkin at 45-degree angles where pieces meet — like mitering a picture frame.
  6. Work one side at a time: Mod Podge, napkin, smooth. Overlap the mitered corners slightly and press flat.
  7. Seal with three to four coats of Mod Podge Gloss. For extra durability, follow with a clear acrylic spray.
  8. Finish with Silver Rub n Buff along the inner and outer edges for that authentic MacKenzie-Childs detail.
Corner tipPractice mitering on cardboard scraps first. This is the one step that makes the difference between good and great.Use less Mod Podge at corners to avoid buildup. Let each coat dry longer than you think you need to.
mackenzie child dupes

Project 4

Cork-Back Placemats

Original: $99.95DIY cost: ~$25 | Medium

What you’ll need:

  • Cork sheets or cork placemats
  • White craft foam sheets or white contact paper
  • Courtly Check napkins
  • Mod Podge Matte
  • Clear acrylic sealer spray

Instructions:

  1. Cover the top of the cork with white craft foam or contact paper. The pattern won’t show without a white base.
  2. Coat the white surface with Mod Podge and let it dry completely.
  3. Decide whether you want the pattern centered or offset, and mock it up before committing.
  4. Cut napkins to cover the full placemat surface with about one inch of overhang on each side.
  5. Apply a fresh layer of Mod Podge, lay the napkin, and smooth outward from the center. Large surfaces dry faster than you expect — work quickly.
  6. Fold any excess napkin over the edges and secure with Mod Podge. Trim where needed.
  7. Seal with four to five coats of Mod Podge, letting each dry fully.
  8. Once cured for 24 hours, spray with two to three coats of clear acrylic sealer for heat and water resistance.

A brayer is essential on large, flat surfaces. Work from the center outward in firm strokes, and don’t stop until there isn’t a single bubble left.

Project 5

Glass Cutting Boards

Original: $69.50DIY cost: ~$20 | Medium

This project uses reverse decoupage — you apply everything to the back of the glass, so the design is completely protected under the cutting surface. It’s a clever technique that makes these boards genuinely functional.

Use only Mod Podge Dishwasher Safe for this projectEvery step — base coats, topcoats, all of it — should use the Dishwasher Safe formula. The regular Matte and Gloss versions won’t hold up to water and heat.

What you’ll need:

  • Clear glass cutting boards
  • Courtly Check napkins
  • Mod Podge Dishwasher Safe (only)
  • White cardstock
  • Clear acrylic sealer

Instructions:

  1. Clean the glass with glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth until it’s spotless. Any smudge will show.
  2. Apply Mod Podge Dishwasher Safe to the back of the glass. Lay the napkin pattern-side down onto the wet surface.
  3. Smooth carefully — because you’re working on the back, bubbles are harder to fix once dry.
  4. Once dry, apply two coats of Mod Podge over the napkin.
  5. Cut white cardstock to fit and adhere it over the sealed napkin. This makes the pattern bright and vibrant when viewed from the front.
  6. Spray the entire back with clear acrylic sealer.
  7. Apply a minimum of four coats of Mod Podge Dishwasher Safe over the entire back, including all edges. Six coats is better. Let each coat dry 30 minutes.

The 28-Day Cure Period

This is the step most people skip — and then wonder why their cutting board peels in the dishwasher. Don’t rush it.

Mod Podge Dishwasher Safe contains polymers that cross-link over 28 days to create a waterproof, heat-resistant seal. Washing it before it’s fully cured will lift or cloud the finish.

Day 7About 50% cured — water-resistant, not waterproof
Day 14About 75% cured — gentle hand washing is okay
Day 28Fully cured — dishwasher-safe

Mark the date you finish on your calendar and leave the board alone until day 28. You can display it and even use it for dry cutting tasks in the meantime — just no water.

Project 6

Decorative Lacquer Tray

Original: $199.95DIY cost: ~$30 | Medium

The tray is a showpiece. Build up enough gloss coats and it genuinely looks lacquered — guests will assume you paid for the real thing.

What you’ll need:

  • Clear serving tray or wooden tray painted white
  • Courtly Check napkins
  • Mod Podge Gloss
  • High-gloss clear polyurethane
  • Antique Gold Rub n Buff (optional)

Instructions:

  1. If painting a wooden tray, apply three coats of white acrylic, sanding lightly between each. A smooth base makes a smooth finish.
  2. Seal with one coat of Mod Podge and let dry.
  3. Measure and plan your napkin placement so the tray bottom is fully covered.
  4. Work in sections if needed, overlapping slightly. Use the brayer aggressively — large surfaces bubble easily.
  5. Wrap the napkin around the edges and secure it. Trim excess with a craft knife.
  6. Apply four to six coats of Mod Podge Gloss, waiting 30 minutes between each.
  7. After 24 hours of curing, apply two to three coats of clear polyurethane. This is what creates that authentic lacquer finish.
  8. Optional: finish the rim with Antique Gold Rub n Buff for extra MacKenzie-Childs detail.

The final result depends on patience more than skill. More gloss coats equal a more authentic look. Sand between your last few polyurethane coats with 400-grit sandpaper and you’ll see a real difference. Let the completed tray cure 72 hours before use.

Project 7

Ceramic Tissue Box Cover

Original: $48–68DIY cost: ~$15–20 | Medium–Advanced

This is the trickiest project in the collection, and also the most rewarding. The challenge is that ceramic is non-porous and slippery — napkins slide before you can smooth them. The fix is surface prep, which I’ll walk you through in detail.

Surface Prep by Material Type

Ceramic (most common): Sand lightly with 220-grit, clean with rubbing alcohol, then apply two to three base coats of Mod Podge — letting each dry fully — before you touch the napkin. This builds a tacky surface the napkin will grab onto immediately.

Wood: Paint white (two to three coats), sand between each coat, then one base coat of Mod Podge.

Acrylic or plastic: Sand thoroughly with 220-grit, clean with rubbing alcohol, then two base coats of Mod Podge.

Pattern Alignment — Plan Before You Cut

The tissue box cover has six surfaces, and misaligned checks are immediately obvious. Before cutting a single piece of napkin, do these things:

  • Measure every surface: four sides, top, and bottom.
  • Identify your check square size — usually ½ to 1 inch.
  • Decide your strategy: wrapping the pattern continuously around all four sides (advanced, looks best) or applying each side individually with a centered pattern (easier, still very professional). For your first tissue box, go with individual sides.
  • Cut cardboard templates for each surface. Trace, cut, and label each one before cutting any napkin.
  • Position the template on the napkin so a complete check square is centered, then cut ¼ inch larger on all sides — you can trim, but you can’t add back.

Application

Work one surface at a time, fully drying between each. Apply a thin Mod Podge coat to one side, wait until it’s just tacky (five to ten minutes), then position the napkin — place the top edge first, let it drape, and don’t press until you’ve checked the alignment. Once it looks right, smooth with a brayer from the center out.

For the top surface and the tissue opening, use this method: apply the napkin over the full top including the opening, let it dry ten minutes, then cut an X from corner to corner of the opening with a sharp craft knife. Fold the flaps inside and smooth with Mod Podge. Apply extra coats around the opening edges — this spot takes the most friction.

Sealing

Apply three to four coats of Mod Podge over the entire box, paying extra attention to corners and the tissue opening. Let it cure 48 hours before use.

Corner strategyOverlapping method: the first side wraps ¼ inch around the corner, the second side overlaps it. Trim to miter if needed.Butting method: both sides meet exactly at the corner with no overlap. More difficult, cleaner look.Either way, seal every corner edge with extra Mod Podge — they take the most handling stress.

Master Tips for Professional Results

Preventing Bubbles

Use a brayer or credit card and work from the center outward on every project. Thin Mod Podge layers reduce bubbles significantly. If you get a bubble after drying, pierce it with a pin, add a tiny drop of Mod Podge, and press flat.

Getting Crisp Edges

Let Mod Podge dry completely before trimming. Use a sharp craft knife and make multiple light passes rather than one heavy cut. Dull blades tear napkins.

Avoiding Wrinkles

Work quickly on large pieces. For very large surfaces, misting the napkin lightly with water gives you a few extra seconds to smooth. If a wrinkle appears, gently lift and re-smooth immediately — don’t wait.

Achieving a Professional Finish

Sand lightly with 400-grit sandpaper between your final topcoats for a glass-smooth result. More thin coats always beat fewer thick ones. Patience is genuinely the skill here.

Quick Troubleshooting

ProblemFix
Napkin tearingUse less Mod Podge and smooth more gently. Small tears are patchable — the check pattern hides a lot.
Cloudy finishCoats are too thick. Apply thinner layers and let each dry completely.
Bubbles after dryingPierce with a pin, add a tiny drop of Mod Podge, and press flat.
Pattern bleedingSpray the napkin with fixative before starting, or try a different brand.
Edges liftingSeal with extra Mod Podge coats. For problem spots, a tiny drop of super glue under the edge works well.

Styling Your Courtly Check Collection

Once you’ve made a few pieces, the fun is in grouping them. A collection of coordinating items always looks more intentional than a single statement piece.

In the kitchen, stack placemats on open shelving, lean cutting boards against the wall, and load the tray with fresh florals. On the mantle, cluster Christmas trees with greenery and tuck frames into a gallery wall with family photos.

And here’s my favorite trick: mix your DIY pieces with one or two genuine MacKenzie-Childs items. Nobody will spot the dupes. The pieces genuinely live together.

Seven projects. Over $600 in retail value. Under $150 to make.

That’s a 75% savings — and results that rival the originals.

Which project are you starting with? Drop it in the comments — I’d love to see your work.

Pin this post for when you’re ready to build your Courtly Check collection.