How to Make a Wooden Napkin Rings

Everyday objects can help young ones learn shapes and colors—and that is exactly what these napkin rings do. Plus they add a festive touch to your dining table.

Supplies for Making Napkin Rings

• 8½" x 11"x ½" birch plywood or MDF
• Pattern for napkin rings
• FolkArt ColorShift acrylic paints
• Mod Podge by Plaid Enterprises

Equipment for Making Napkin Rings

• Proxxon Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E
• Proxxon Disc Sander TSG 250/E
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DSH/E
• Proxxon Professional Rotary Tool IBS/E and MICROMOT Drill Stand MB

Instructions for Making Napkin Rings

1. Print the pattern for the napkin rings and adhere to wood. Cover the surface of the wood with painter's tape. Next, spray the back of the pattern with spray adhesive, and adhere pattern to top of the painter's tape. The spray adhesive holds the pattern in place, and the painter's tape makes for easy removal.
   
2. Use the band saw and scroll saw to cut out the napkin ring shapes. I do the straight cuts on the band saw, and the curves on the scroll saw.

Straight cuts using the band saw

Curved cuts using the scroll saw

3. Drill a pilot hole to insert the scroll saw blade, and cut out the center ring on each shape.  Alternatively, these center holes can be cut using a forstner bit. 
4. Sand the outer edges and rough areas using the disc sander or the Delta sander.
   
5. Orient the rotary tool in the drill stand to a horizontal position and with a sanding disc, sand the interior edges of the center ring.
   
6. Paint the napkin rings with FolkArt ColorShift paints. Set aside to dry.
   
7. Finish with a final coat of Mod Podge.
   

Carole