How to Weave Holiday Place Mats and Napkin Rings

Place mats and napkin rings made with holiday-themed paper make a great table setting during the holidays. Follow these instructions on how to make them yourself.

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Filed under: Christmas, Table Linens, Crafts, Holiday

This project started out to be bracelets. Then they got shorter and became napkin rings. And the napkin rings led to matching placemats, and when the paper of choice became shiny red and Christmas green instead of the floral prints, this turned into a decorative holiday table setting. Make a set for your own home or as a gift for someone else. I'm sure you'll know the basics. We all made these basic chains somewhere along the line in grade school. This time, instead of cigarette package paper or gum wrappers, we're using gift-wrapping paper.

Because these will receive a fair amount of wear, it is recommended that you use fairly heavy-duty gift wrap paper that usually comes in rolls measuring 30 inches wide.

Steps:

1. For each napkin ring, cut 16 strips of paper that are 2" x 4-1/2". Fold each strip in half lengthwise and unfold.

2. Fold each side edge into the center fold and crease.

3. Fold entire strip in half. Crease.

4. Fold strip in half crosswise and unfold. Fold each end in to the center fold.

5. Fold entire strip in half crosswise. You will have a strip about 1/2" x 2".

6. Place a folded piece on edge and notice that on one side of the V-shaped piece, you will have two folded edges facing up. Turn it over and you will have four folded edges facing. When joining the pieces, it is easier to work with the two folded sides facing up.

7. To join the pieces, place one piece with two folded edges facing up, and insert the folded ends of a second piece into the folded sides of the first. Push the insert down to the end of the first piece, bringing the two ends together.

8. Insert a third folded piece into the second one in the same manner, beginning to form a zigzag pattern. Continue to join the pieces in this manner until you have a length of 15 strips.

9. Bring the two ends of the piece together and position them to continue the zigzag pattern with one above the other. Hold them in this position while you unfold the two end flaps of strip #16. It is now 1/2" x 2" with one crosswise fold at the middle. Still holding the two ends of the circle together, insert the ends of strip #16 through the top the first piece in the circle and on through the top of the last piece in the circle, joining the two ends. The ends of strip #16 will extend beyond any of the folded pieces.

10. Fold the top extending end back over the folded piece underneath it, and fold the bottom extending end back over the bottom of the folded piece underneath it, and slip the end into the piece above it.