Every day I fight being a packrat. A few months ago I was getting ready to throw away an empty Saran Wrap box and happened to notice how the cardboard tube inside was oh so strong and sturdy. What useful thing could I make with such a pretty?? It’s round. Not easily crushed. Ah! I could cut it, cover it in fabric, and make napkin rings!
And that is how a cardboard tube ended up in my craft closet for three months. So this rainy-sunny-rainy weekend I sat down, fiddled a bit, and here we go! Cheery fabric napkin rings just in time to brighten up your summertime picnics.
Supplies (for 8 rings):
- 1/4 yard of fabric (you’ll use less but this is the minimum at most places)
- 1/4 yard of n0-sew interfacing (again, you’ll use less)
- 1 yard grosgrain ribbon
- Good fabric scissors
- Zigzag pinking shears
- Invisible tape (optional)
- Fabric glue
(or two-sided adhesive)
- Rotary fabric rotary cutter
, clear fabric ruler
and self-healing mat
One typical cardboard tube of Saran Wrap will make 8 napkin rings that are 1-1/2″ inches wide and 1-3/8″ diameter. Or you can make wider rings if you only need 6. These rings are best for premium square paper napkins and plastic silverware, but you can squeeze fabric napkins inside with no silverware if you roll them very tightly.
Cut napkin rings from Saran Wrap cardboard tube.
Using your measuring tape, measure 1-3/8″ and mark with a pencil around the circumference of the cardboard tube.
Carefully cut your pencil lines using an Xacto knife. Repeat for up to 8 rings.
Hide cardboard tube markings (optional). I did this step because the striped fabric I used was sort of thin and I wanted to be sure to totally cover up the dark spots of adhesive remnants on the tubes.
Cut 8 strips of no-sew interfacing 1-3/8″ wide x 5-3/4″ tall.
Tape one end of the interfacing to the ring (or use your adhesive). Roll the interfacing around the ring and secure with a second piece of tape.
Wrap napkin ring with fabric.
Cut your fabric in 3-1/2″ wide by 5-3/4″ tall strip (my fabric is shown face down in the photo but it doesn’t matter).
Place the napkin ring in the center of the fabric. Secure one end with invisible tape (or glue it if you’d rather), making sure the tape covers only a tiny edge of the fabric or else you’ll see it in your final product.
Roll the fabric tightly around the ring and secure using a dab of fabric glue, being sure to put some on the raw edge to prevent fraying (alternatively, you could turn a bit of the fabric under to hide raw edges or use pinking shears to make a zigzag edge).
Put a bit of glue on one fabric end, fold inside the ring and glue to the inside of the cardboard ring. Repeat on the other side. Raw edges will meet in the middle of the inside.
Hide raw edges using ribbon.
Using your pinking shears, cut one 4-1/2″ piece of ribbon for each napkin ring.
Spread fabric glue on one side of the ribbon. Curl it up a bit, slip it inside the ring and glue the ribbon on top of the raw fabric edges to cover them up.
You can also use the end of your pencil to roll the ribbon flat inside. Let your napkin rings dry for at least 24 hours before using.
Wrap plastic utensils in a premium paper napkin (folded into quarters) and slip on the ring to secure. Fire up the grill!
COPYRIGHT NOTE: You’re more than welcome to use this project and pattern for your own personal use. Please post a comment below or email me if you use this project so I can smile when I see that it’s being used. Craft and pass it on!
Posted by Kathy on June 6, 2009
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November 6th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Так ведь без недостатков достоинства незаметны :)
October 8th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Как говорится – Verum est, quod pro salute fit mendacium
October 8th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Hi, just wanted to let you know I am going to feature this project on my blog. We’re an event planning company in Chicago and we love to showcase ideas that are eco-friendly. Recycled tubes that can be beautiful fun napkin rings are a great idea. THanks for sharing.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:16 am
I like this! I am all for crafty ideas that don’t look “crafty”. This is perfect :)
August 16th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
It’s very, very beautiful, easy, cheap and green. Thank you so very much for this brilliant idea!
August 15th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
We love to promote eco-friendly ideas – this is so great!
August 11th, 2009 at 6:40 am
Lovely project! I’m posting a link to it over at Curbly.
August 2nd, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Wonderful! I’m going to create an Instructable (http://www.instructables.com) based on this, with some . Of course, I will link you.
July 28th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
Wow, those are super cute! Now I’ll never be able to throw anything away…..
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Hi Alicia! I love that you’re using this for your eco-wedding! I would love to see the pictures when you have them. Thanks for commenting!
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Hello! I’m so excited about this! We’ve opted to go eco-friendly for our wedding and use compostable napkins, plates, and silverware. As much as I love my cloth napkins and china, it’s more cost effective to do it this way. I have been searching for something fun, unique, and different to dress up our plain biodegradable napkins and silverware – plus my misc. fabric pile is large enough to get this task done! (Even more eco-friendly since I already have the supplies to re-use!) Thanks for the post!
July 19th, 2009 at 9:17 pm
what a smart idea! thanks for sharing:)
July 15th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Hi Kathleen H, good question. Yes, the interfacing step is optional. I used the interfacing because there were some brown spots on the tube that showed through my striped fabric. I called it the “Hide cardboard tube markings (optional)” step but you could totally skip it if your fabric is thick enough not to show through, or if your tube has less adhesive remnant on it than mine did. I would steering away from fleece interlining or quilt batting as I like the rings smooth and modern rather than puffy. Thanks so much for stopping by!
July 14th, 2009 at 12:40 am
Really cute idea, great use of the tube, but why on earth would you need interfacing? It doesn’t stiffen anything – the tube does that. Did you mean fleece interlining, like for tailoring jacket collars, or a thin quilt batting? That would make more sense to me, sorry.
July 13th, 2009 at 1:15 pm
What a great idea! So simple, but it looks amazing. Thanks for the thorough how-to… I’ll be linking to this on Twitter :)
July 12th, 2009 at 10:30 am
I love this and think I may be able to do it! I have all my leftover fabric from my wedding invitations (thanks again to your brilliant idea!). This would be a great way to utilize that same fabric for other events! Thank you!
July 11th, 2009 at 6:52 am
c’es superbe! je vais le practiquer ca sans doute
July 4th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Cool idea! It will be fun to try this out for outdoor entertaining.
June 29th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
This is fantastic!! I’m doing it — need to use up my saran wrap first. I’ve been looking for the perfect napkin rings.
June 29th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Wow! Practical, simple, and inexpensive. I’m linking, too. Thanks for sharing.
June 29th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
This is such a cool and frugal idea! Very creative…now all I need is an awesome fabric stash :)
June 18th, 2009 at 9:00 am
I love this idea! Can’t wait for my Saran Wrap to run out so I can make some! :)
June 15th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Hi Perrine, yes, thanks for asking. I’d love for you to translate it into French and put it on your site. Merci! :)
June 15th, 2009 at 3:47 am
Hello!
I really like your how to. I was wondering if I could translate it in French and add it to my list of how to as explained in my french post (http://www.petitcitron.com/index.php/form_howto.html)
Of course, your website would be quoted and there would be a link!
Thank you,
Perrine
June 11th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Nifty idea and fun to do! You can use the tubes from toilet paper and paper towel rolls, too. But, they just won’t be as sturdy.
Liz :)
June 10th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
so so cute! i’m totally doing that!
June 9th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Oh my, those are lovely. I am bookmarking. Fantastic tutorial. Now I know what I can do with my fabric scraps. You’ve made my day !
Kate
June 9th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
I love this idea! The fabric you used is SOOOO pretty with those crisp white napkins. Love that. I’ll be linking.
June 9th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Thanks for showing another reason to be a packrat!!!!!! I love it!
June 8th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Cute and affordable! Thanks!
June 7th, 2009 at 7:18 am
Brilliant!