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Recycled Fabric Napkin Rings from Saran Wrap Tubes

How to make fabric napkin rings from recycled plastic wrap cardboard tubes

I made this fabric napkin rings recycled craft from an empty Saran Wrap tube. 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!

Recycled Fabric Napkin Rings from Sarah Wrap Tubes for Earth Day Green Crafts

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 making my fabric napkin rings recycled craft (for 8 rings) (with links from affiliates):

 

How to make fabric-covered napkin rings from a recycled cardboard Saran Wrap tube

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.

How to make recycled napkin rings – First cut napkin rings from Saran Wrap cardboard tube.

Recycled Fabric Napkin Rings from Sarah Wrap Tubes for Earth Day Green Crafts

Using your measuring tape, measure 1-3/8″ and mark with a pencil around the circumference of the cardboard tube.

Recycled Fabric Napkin Rings from Sarah Wrap Tubes for Earth Day Green Crafts

Carefully cut your pencil lines using an Xacto knife. Repeat for up to 8 rings.

Recycled Fabric Napkin Rings from Sarah Wrap Tubes for Earth Day Green Crafts

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.

Recycled Fabric Napkin Rings from Sarah Wrap Tubes for Earth Day Green Crafts

Cut 8 strips of no-sew interfacing 1-3/8″ wide x 5-3/4″ tall.

Recycled Fabric Napkin Rings from Sarah Wrap Tubes for Earth Day Green Crafts

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.

Recycled Fabric Napkin Rings from Sarah Wrap Tubes for Earth Day Green Crafts

Wrap napkin ring with fabric.

Recycled Fabric Napkin Rings from Sarah Wrap Tubes for Earth Day Green Crafts

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).

Recycled Fabric Napkin Rings from Sarah Wrap Tubes for Earth Day Green Crafts

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.

Recycled Fabric Napkin Rings from Sarah Wrap Tubes for Earth Day Green Crafts

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).

Recycled Fabric Napkin Rings from Sarah Wrap Tubes for Earth Day Green Crafts

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.

Recycled Fabric Napkin Rings from Sarah Wrap Tubes for Earth Day Green Crafts

Using your pinking shears, cut one 4-1/2″ piece of ribbon for each napkin ring.

Recycled Fabric Napkin Rings from Sarah Wrap Tubes for Earth Day Green Crafts

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.

Recycled Fabric Napkin Rings from Sarah Wrap Tubes for Earth Day Green Crafts

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.

Recycled Fabric Napkin Rings from Sarah Wrap Tubes for Earth Day Green Crafts

Wrap plastic utensils in a premium paper napkin (folded into quarters) and slip on the ring to secure. Fire up the grill!

Recycled Fabric Napkin Rings from Sarah Wrap Tubes for Earth Day Green Crafts

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Copyright stuff: You’re more than welcome to use this free project and tutorial for personal use. Contact me for commercial use and etsy sales.

 

distro cref

Monday 19th of January 2015

Nice info this very awesome......

Nancy M.

Friday 16th of January 2015

Thank you for this. My students will make these out of donated fabric. My goal for 2015 is upcycled crafts only!

Johnd493

Saturday 10th of May 2014

Thanks for the article, is there any way I can receive an email whenever you publish a new update? dcdceeegcgfd

Juliana

Wednesday 22nd of January 2014

These are just awesome and I can create many because I do have some scrap clothes and tissue for creating beautiful pieces.

Barbara @ DIY Home Staging Tips

Monday 12th of November 2012

Kathy -- I loved these napkin rings and the tutorial so much that I posted a photo and link to your site on my blog today. I did a roundup of diy napkin rings suitable for home staging.

http://diyhomestagingtips.blogspot.com/2012/11/staging-dining-room-table-diy-napkin.html

I hope some of my readers will become new followers for you. Your blog is lovely!

Thanks and best wishes.