Try making these simple DIY patriotic napkin rings to dress up your table this 4th of July! They are festive while still achieving a classic look. 

I had an idea last week for a 4th of July napkin ring. Not sure why this popped into my head, but regardless it did. When you get an idea, sometimes you just have to go with it, although I knew I had to make these DIY patriotic napkin rings before the 4th of July! So you get to see three posts this week instead of one! I am making more work for myself. LOL 

My original idea actually was based on those little stick flags that you get at parades or outside stores when you donate to the VFW. We have several of those around already so I thought about cutting those up and making them into napkin rings. However after discussing this idea with Mr. Wonderful, we concurred that it was probably not the greatest idea to cut up a flag. Even if it is a replica of a flag and not the real deal.

So I decided to alter my original idea. Luckily I already had some red and white striped fabric leftover after making a garland on this 4th of July mantel. This fabric would make a similar look to my original idea. Of course to show off napkin rings, you also need to decorate the table, right? I ran to Hobby Lobby and told myself if they had what I was looking for my tablescape then I would make the napkin rings. Luckily I found what I needed. 🙂 I will share the whole tablescape with you later this week.

 

Supplies needed to make DIY patriotic napkin rings

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• Assorted wooden stars (I found mine at Hobby Lobby, but these are similar)
• Cutting mat, rotary cutter and 24″ ruler – this is optional, you can just use scissors to cut your fabric but this makes cutting fabric so much easier!
• Scissors
• Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
• Red and white striped fabric – you don’t need much, even a fat quarter would work.
• Navy blue acrylic paint
• Foam brush
• Empty paper towel roll (you can get 5 rings out of one roll)
• Pencil

Here is a video of the process

Don’t want to read all the instructions? Here is a video showing you how make the DIY patriotic napkin rings. If you can’t see the video, turn off your ad blocker. If you want more detailed instructions, continue reading.

Paint some stars

I used two different sized stars for each napkin ring. The bigger stars are 1 5/8″ and the smaller stars are 1 1/8″ in size. I painted the smaller size stars a navy blue color of acrylic paint. I left the bigger star unpainted to add another color and to tie into my natural colored chargers. I did not have navy blue paint on hand so I just mixed blue and black to make a navy color. I found it easier to paint the edges of the star first, then paint the face. Set stars aside to dry.

How to make 4th of July napkin rings

First you will take your paper towel roll and mark lines on it every two inches. I just used my cutting mat to measure out the lines but you could also use a ruler. Using some scissors, cut the paper towel roll on the marked lines. This will squish down the roll a bit but you can form it back into a roll easily. I made four napkin rings. If you are making more, you will need another empty paper towel roll.

Next cut your fabric into strips that are 3″ by 6.5″. Make sure your stripes are running horizontal along the 6.5″ length.

Grab a cut piece of the paper towel roll and run a line of hot glue across it. Line up one end of your fabric strip and hold it on the glue until it is dry. Remove any excess glue that squeezes out. Start rolling the fabric onto the paper towel roll.

At the end of the roll, make sure your stripes line up. Fold the end of the fabric back a little bit and run some hot glue on the inside edge of the fabric. Then press the end back down and hold in place until dry.

Next run glue along the inside edge of the end of the paper towel roll. Work your way around the roll pressing the fabric down as you go. When you get to the end of the fabric, you will have a little overlap in the fabric. Glue that down as well. Repeat these steps on the opposite end of the roll.

Add some stars

Take one of the unpainted bigger stars and add a dab of hot glue to the back. Center the star on the napkin ring and glue it down.

The smaller navy blue stars should be dry at this point but just make sure it is completely dry before you add it to the other star. Line it up on the wooden star first to figure out your placement, then add glue to the back of the navy star. Tap the navy star down gently until it is where you want it to be. You have a little time while the hot glue is wet to get it centered on the wooden star. When it is in place, press it down firmly until glue is dry.

Decorate with your DIY patriotic napkin rings

Last thing to do is to add some napkins to the napkin rings! I used white napkins but you could also use colored ones.

I think that 4th of July is one of those holidays that the décor can look a little cheap and cheesy. However this look with the white napkins and plates just looks clean and simple to me, not to mention classy. What do you think?

I also love how the natural colored star coordinates with my chargers and the navy star ties into the plates. 

These napkin rings are perfect for the 4th of July or any patriotic themed event. They would also look adorable in a nautical theme! They were so simple to make but make such an impact on your tablescape! You will see my tablescape a little later this week, but first I will be sharing a yummy dessert for the 4th of July tomorrow!