These no-sew felt napkin rings really brightened up Shane’s Fourth of July Birthday BBQ.

And yep, I realize I’m a bit on napkin rings kick …first the felt leaf napkin rings for Thanksgiving, then recycled napkin rings made from Saran Wrap cardboard tubes, and now these. But they just make such a statement on the table that I say, the more rings the better!

This time I made a variety of star shapes using star cookie cutters and various loose buttons. Here they are all piled up before setting the table…

You’re more than welcome to use this free project and pattern for your own personal use. Please post a comment below if you use the template so I can smile when I see that it’s being used.

Supplies:

• Metal star cookie cutters (or freehand your own star shape)
• Blue felt and Red felt
• Red embroidery floss
  
• Disappearing ink fabric marking pen
• Rotary fabric cutter (a DIY staple!)
• Clear fabric ruler
• Self-healing mat
• Good fabric scissors

Table

• White buffet plates
• Buffet silverware

Cut blue rings

Cut blue strips 6″ wide x 1.5″ tall using a rotary cutter, clear fabric ruler and rotary mat.

QUICK NOTE: In this case, I planned to use high-quality paper napkins and plastic silverware so I made the rings 6″ wide. However, if you’re making them for cloth napkins you should make them 7″ — or just roll up a test napkin (with or without silverware), measure around it, and add 1 inch. The good thing about making them 6 inches is that you can just cut strips and cut them in half (see below).

Fold each strip in half and cut with a pair of scissors to make two blue rings.

Cut ring slits

Measure 1/2″ from the left side and cut a slit halfway through (so your slit will be half of the 1.5″ tall). Repeat on the right side, but make sure the slit is opposite like in the photo above.

Cut stars

Trace your star cookie cutter or freehand your own star shape onto the red felt and cut out. Use disappearing ink pen if you can; I am lazy and used a Sharpie so I just cut inside the lines to make up for it.

Cut one star for each ring.

Attach stars to ring with button

Place your star in the middle of the blue ring. Place a small button on top. I like making the buttons and stars off-center because it gives it more energy.

Using a needle and red embroidery thread, sew through the button, star and ring to secure. Tie a knot in the back.

Place on napkins

Roll your silverware in a napkin and secure the tabs to close the ring. As mentioned earlier, I used high-quality paper napkins and plastic silverware for the BBQ, so if you’re using fabric or silverware then you may need to make larger rings.

This is what the back will look like. Bring on the burgers!

COPYRIGHT NOTE: You’re more than welcome to use this free project and pattern for your own personal use. Please post a comment below or email me if you use the template so I can smile when I see that it’s being used.

Comments (7)  | Permalink  | By Kathy on 7/9/2009  |