DIY Flower Napkin Rings from Paper Towel Holders

Updated at: 27/05/2025

Transforming ordinary household items into elegant decorations is a rewarding crafting experience, and today we're tackling a project that's both surprisingly easy and incredibly chic: DIY flower napkin rings made from humble paper towel holders! These charming rings offer a unique and budget-friendly way to elevate your table setting for any occasion, from casual dinners to special celebrations. Forget expensive store-bought embellishments; with just a few simple supplies and a little creativity, you can create stunning napkin rings that will impress your guests and add a personalized touch to your gatherings.

Forget fumbling with complicated instructions; this project is remarkably straightforward. The beauty of this craft lies in its simplicity and adaptability; you can customize the flower designs and colors to perfectly match your décor. Ready to learn how to turn these everyday items into floral masterpieces? Let's dive into the step-by-step process and create some beautiful, blossoming napkin rings!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Paper towel holder
  • Scissors
  • Paint
  • Paintbrush
  • Aleene's clear gel
  • Decorative paper (with flowers and stripes)
  • Micro mini beads
Safety Guidelines
  • Always supervise children when using sharp objects like scissors or craft knives. Keep them away from small parts that could be choking hazards.
  • Use caution when handling hot glue. Allow the glue to cool slightly before touching and work in a well-ventilated area to avoid fumes.
  • Ensure the paper towel holder is clean and free of any residue before beginning the crafting process to prevent staining or transferring odors to your napkins.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare Napkin Ring Bases

    • Measure and cut the paper towel holder into 1-inch increments to create the napkin ring bases.
    • Paint the outside and inside edges of each napkin ring base.
    Paint the outside and inside edges of each napkin ring base.Paint the outside and inside edges of each napkin ring base.
    Prepare Napkin Ring Bases

  2. Cover Bases with Decorative Paper

    • Cut your decorative paper into 1-inch wide strips.
    • Apply Aleene's clear gel to the outside of a napkin ring base. Glue a paper strip around it, wrapping it completely and trimming off the excess.
    • Apply clear gel to the inside of the napkin ring, securing the excess paper strip.
    • Let the glued napkin ring dry completely.
    Let the glued napkin ring dry completely.Let the glued napkin ring dry completely.Let the glued napkin ring dry completely.Let the glued napkin ring dry completely.
    Cover Bases with Decorative Paper

  3. Create Flower Decorations

    • Cut out several flowers and leaves from your decorative paper. For the bottom layer, leave the leaf intact. Cut some lines into the top two layers to add dimension.
    • Glue three layers of flowers together, adding clear gel and micro mini beads to the center and leaf for added detail.
    • Let the flower decoration dry completely. Then, apply more clear gel to the entire flower to seal and strengthen it.
    Let the flower decoration dry completely. Then, apply more clear gel to the entire flower to seal and strengthen it.Let the flower decoration dry completely. Then, apply more clear gel to the entire flower to seal and strengthen it.Let the flower decoration dry completely. Then, apply more clear gel to the entire flower to seal and strengthen it.
    Create Flower Decorations

  4. Assemble Napkin Rings

    • Attach the dried flower decoration to your dried napkin ring.
    Attach the dried flower decoration to your dried napkin ring.
    Assemble Napkin Rings

Read more: Easy Origami Paper Box Tutorial: Step-by-Step Guide

Tips

  • Aleene's clear gel dries strong, making the napkin rings durable.
  • Adding multiple layers to the flower decorations creates dimension and visual interest.
  • Using clear gel to seal the flowers adds strength and protects the design.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Using Cardboard that is Too Thin or Weak

Reason: Thin cardboard will bend and not hold its shape well, resulting in flimsy napkin rings.
Solution: Choose thicker cardboard or reinforce the rings with additional layers of paper or glue.

2. Applying Too Much Glue or Paint

Reason: Excess glue can cause the paper towel holder to become soggy and warp, while excess paint can create a messy and uneven finish.
Solution: Apply glue and paint sparingly, allowing for adequate drying time between coats.

FAQs

What type of paper towel holders work best for this project?
Cardboard paper towel holders are ideal. Avoid plastic or metal ones as they won't be as easy to shape and decorate.
What kind of paint should I use?
Acrylic paints are recommended as they dry quickly and adhere well to cardboard. Spray paint can also work, but ensure you work in a well-ventilated area.