How to Make an Easter Napkin Holder

This clever Easter napkin holder is sure to be a hit with youngsters and oldsters alike. It adds the finishing touch on your dining table.

Supplies and Equipment to Make the Easter Napkin Holder

• ¼" piece of wood or MDF
• Pattern
• Napkin for collaging
• Mod Podge from Plaid Enterprises
• Proxxon Micro Bandsaw MBS/E
• Proxxon Scroll Saw DS 460
• Proxxon Delta Sander OZI/E
• Proxxon Profession Rotary Tool and Drill Stand MB 200

Instructions for Making the Easter Napkin Holder

1. Select a pattern for your napkin holder. There are four different Easter-themed patterns included. I've selected the rabbit for this project.
   
2. Using the band saw, cut your wood or MDF to size according to the pattern you select. 
3. Adhere your pattern to the substrate using painter's tape and adhesive spray. Cover the substrate with painter's tape. Lightly spray the reverse side of the pattern with adhesive, and mount onto the covered substrate. The adhesive spray holds the pattern in place, and the painter's tape makes removal easy.
   
4. Using the professional rotary tool and drill stand, drill a pilot hole for interior cuts. Make sure that the pilot hole is large enough to accommodate the scroll saw blade.
   
5. Cut out the piece using the scroll saw.
   
6. Sand any rough edges with the Delta sander.
   
7. Gently insert a strong floral pin into the napkin holder to facilitate painting and drying.
   
8. Coat the napkin holder with a layer of white gesso. 
   
9. Hang to dry.
   
10. When the gesso is thoroughly dry, decorate your napkin holder. I chose to napkin collage mine using matte Mod Podge. Alternatively, you could paint the napkin holder adding embellishments of your choice—be creative!!
    
11. Enjoy your Easter napkin holder.
    

Carole

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