Cityline

Antonio Bellusci shows us three simple ways to make napkin ring holders, napkins, and festive twig vases.



Birch Napkin Ring Holders:

Materials & Tools:

Birch Log

Hand Saw

Glue

Vinyl Placemat

Scissors

Latex Urethane

 

Instructions:

1.    Cut ring around log (3-5 mm deep) and one cut perpendicular to ring cut

2.    Gently remove outer layer of bark (cut pieces should measure 3-4 inches wide by 7-8 inches long).  Birch logs can be left in warm places to dry and ease the removal of bark.

3.    Cut vinyl placemats into strips slightly smaller than birch strips

4.    Glue vinyl strips to backs (inside) of birch strips

5.    Glue strips together to form a ring

6.    Dip birch rings into latex urethane and let dry



Approximate Cost – $10 – $15 for 6 napkin rings



Napkins:

Materials & Tools:

Woven fabric (linen / cotton)

Stitch Remover

Sewing Machine & Threads

Iron



Instructions:

1.    Wash, dry & iron all fabrics before cutting and sewing

2.    Cut fabrics into squares – minimum 20“ x 20“

3.    Using stitch remover, gently pull up one woven loop from fabric – an inch or two

4.    Cut loop

5.    Using cut ends of thread, gently pull out thread to both ends

6.    Repeat with adjacent threads or alternating and in different directions to create a pattern

7.    Fold over edges twice to create a hem

8.    Iron and sew down hem



Approximate Cost – $20 – $30 for 6 napkins pending fabric



Twig Vases:

Materials & Tools:

Glass vase with straight sides    

Twigs

Glue Gun & Glue Sticks

Garden Cutting Tool

 

Instructions:

1.    Cut twig one inch taller than vase

2.    Hot glue twigs onto all sides of vase

3.    Repeat gluing twigs onto sides to cover openings between twigs



Approximate Cost – $5 – $10



Courtesy Antonio Bellusci, @abellusci, 416-537-2060