Easy Valentine’s Napkin Rings (Zero Cost DIY!)

If you are planning to host a Valentine’s event, you may look for an easy way to dress up your Valentine’s Day table without spending a dime. These easy Valentine’s napkin rings are the perfect solution! Best of all, this zero-cost DIY takes just minutes to make, so you can create a whole set in one afternoon. Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner for two or a festive Valentine’s gathering, these sweet napkin rings will make your table feel special without breaking the budget.

I love to embellish a special occasion with special additions to the tablescape. Items such as place cards and napkin rings are both decorative and practical. They are even more special when you make them yourself.

I’m considering hosting a Valentine’s Day luncheon for some special friends this year. Wanting to get an early start on the table decor, I decided to make some DIY Valentine’s napkin rings. I’ve never hosted an event when homemade napkin rings werent’ a hit.

I had two criteria for these napkin rings:

1. They had to be easy.
2. They had to use things I already had at home.

Which means, they wouldn’t cost me a penny to make!

You know what? These cute napkin rings turned out better than I expected, and they were a zero-cost DIY project – nada, zilch, completely free!

Another thing I like about these napkin rings? They are customizable to your favorite colors and patterns and on-hand supplies.

Since this is the first Creative Craft Blog Hop of the year, my timing was just right.

My thanks to Sara of Birdz of a Feather for hosting this monthly “put on your thinking cap and get out your scissors and glue” event. If you are joining Bluesky at Home from Gail of Purple Hues and Me, then welcome.

I know you’ll find some creative and inspirational projects.

This post contains affiliate links to products used to create this project. If you should order any item from this site, I may receive compensation, but you do not pay a penny more. Your purchase is greatly appreciated as it helps support the continued publication of this site.

Idea for this Valentine’s DIY Project

Sweet Shark asked where I got the idea for this project. First, I knew I would make something for Valentine’s Day. I love decorating for this holiday – the colors, the femininity, the romantic gestures, the festivity – all appeal to me.

As I hope to host a luncheon or tea this year, I wanted to start planning early.

I believe that bringing friends together around a table is one of the most hospitable gestures you can make. Every table setting should create a special feeling for your guests. In addition to centerpieces, lovely china, crystal, and silver, it’s the details that tell your guests how special they are.

My three favorite details are:

• place cards
• napkin rings
• a small gift or favor for each guest.

I decided that a napkin ring would be the easiest element to start with. I immediately envisioned the finished napkin ring. And, just as exciting, I knew I already had everything to make them. No running to Target or Hobby Lobby. I wouldn’t even have to order from Amazon.

Made entirely from supplies you probably already have at home, these Valentine’s napkin rings will add a charming, handmade touch to your table setting.

Supplies for Your Valentine’s Day Napkin Rings

Here are the supplies you need for this project. If you don’t have these supplies, I’ve included links to ones for your craft toolbox. They will make every project easier and more enjoyable.

• toilet paper rolls – FREE, something we all have – one roll makes two napkin rings. I wanted to make eight napkin rings. I had saved a bunch before Christmas, but hadn’t used them.
• Fiskars craft scissors – my absolute favorite
• sewing scissors – great for any fabric, especially if you are a lefty like me
• Fiskars craft knife – easy to use and change the blade

• fabric scraps in your favorite Valentine’s color and pattern. I have had this piece in my fabric stash. It’s not exactly Valentine’s, but it has pink with some French writing and French icons – OOH LA LA. Pink checks, gingham, and any floral that is pretty and fits your color scheme. ANOTHER FREEBIE.

If you don’t have any fabric scraps at home, you can buy 1/8 of a yard.

• glue – I had Bearly’s craft glue on hand, so that’s what I used.
• ruler
• pencil
• craft mat – to work on, especially for cutting. Love my pink mat.
• 1-inch or smaller foam brush

• ribbon, thin yarn, or embroidery thread. I had four embroidery thread colors (white, pale pink, medium pink, and dark pink), so I used them. Actually, it turned out perfectly.

• 1 sheet of cardstock in the color of your choice for making hearts.

Things to Know Before Making Your DIY Napkin Rings

This project is straightforward, but I’ll break it down into small steps. These instructions are for how I made my napkin rings; if you customize yours, the results may differ slightly.

1. A toilet paper roll is 4 inches long; one roll will make two napkin rings. Each one will be 2 inches wide.
2. The diameter of a toilet paper roll is 1 3/4 inches; the circumference is 5 1/2 inches.
3. Each piece of fabric should be 3 x 6 inches.
4. For each napkin ring, you will need 15 inches of either ribbon or embroidery thread. I made eight bundles of 4 colors of embroidery thread.

Making Your Valentine’s Napkin Rings

Cutting Your Toilet Paper Rolls

Step 1 – Using your ruler and pencil, mark 2-inch marks around the toilet paper roll.

Step 2 – Use the craft knife to cut into the toilet paper roll, turning the roll as you go.

this Idea.

NOTE: When you are done, if your edges are a little jagged, use your craft scissors to cut off any excess.

Cutting Your Fabric

Step 1 – Using your ruler and pencil, measure your fabric in 3-inch increments on the wrong side. Cut the length of the fabric 3 inches wide. Each napkin ring is 2 inches wide and you need 1/2 inch on each side to turn over.

NOTE: Determine the finished length you will need: 6 inches for each napkin ring. I needed 48 inches total length for 8 napkin rings. The circumference of the napkin ring is 5 1/2 inches. I allowed an extra 1/2 inch for overlap.

Remember your high school math? C = diameter X 3.14, so 1.75 X 3.14 = 5.495

Step 2 – Once you have the fabric length, cut it into 6-inch increments.

Attaching Your Fabric to the Paper Roll

Step 1 – Holding a roll, brush the glue onto about halfway around the roll.

Step 2 – Lay the fabric lengthwise on the roll, with a 1/2-inch overlap on each side. Use your fingers to press the fabric to the roll, smoothing it as you go. Repeat with the rest of the roll and fabric. Run a bead of glue across the fabric to attach the overlap fabric.

Oops – I forgot to take a picture of Steps 1 and 2!

Step 3 – Brush glue on the inside of the fabric on one side of the roll. With your finger. press down on the fabric on the inside of the roll. Repeat with the other side.

Step 4 – Set aside each roll after you attach the fabric to dry completely, about 30 minutes. I actually did this step on Day 1. You will find that the rolls stiffen up after they dry, which is nice.

Embellishing The Napkin Rings

I knew I wanted a pink heart on my napkin rings. I had a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out a shape, but you could freehand it or use a template.

Step 1 – For my heart, I had pink cardstock in my paper stash. I used the heart cookie cutter as a template to cut out eight hearts

NOTE: I could have used my Cricut to easily design and cut the hearts, but I realize not everyone has one, so I used the “old-fashioned” way.

Step 2 – Use a hole punch to make two holes in the hearts.

Step 3 – Measure your 15-inch lengths of ribbon or embroidery thread. I tied a knot in the middle to hold the four strands together.

Step 4 – Put the ends of the embroidery thread through the holes in the hearts.
Step 5 – Place the embroidery thread around the napkin ring.
Step 6 – Pull tight and double-knot the thread around the napkin ring.
Step 7 – Make a bow.

You may have noticed that some of the hearts above are a different color. I wanted a darker pink – like a magenta, but I didn’t have any cardstock that color. But I did have bright pink vinyl.

I covered four hearts with the bright pink vinyl. I know it appears red, but it is actually bright pink.

Step 8 – Remove the vinyl from the backing. Place the hearts on the adhesive.
Step 9 – Using craft scissors, cut around the hearts and trim off any excess vinyl.

Complete the second set of hearts using Steps 4-7 above.

NOTE: You may want to trim the ends of the embroidery thread.

Although I have a lot of steps to explain this project, it’s actually very easy, and you can complete the entire craft in a couple of hours. Or spread it out over two days, as I did. It’s easy enough that kids could help or do it themselves, depending on their age.

Displaying the Valentine’s Napkin Rings

I’m not going to set an entire Valentine’s table yet, but I could set a mock-up using the finished napkin rings.

The pink placemat and napkin are from a set of four that I bought at an estate sale years ago. I’ve never used them, which is too bad because they are lovely and in excellent condition. It took a good steam iron to remove the creases from the napkins.

Do you notice the fleur-de-lis embroidery on the placemat and napkin?

TIP: I remembered my mom’s trick: even using a steam iron, give the napkins a good spritz with a spray bottle of water.

ANOTHER TIP: When you buy vintage linens at an estate sale, as soon as you get home, unfold and iron them. Lay them out flat without any creases. Who knows how many years these napkins had been folded up.

I also tied a white vintage linen napkin – another estate sale set of 12. The pink sherbet glass is from a set of seven from an antique mall. Obviously, one had broken.

I hope you are inspired by this DIy Valentine’s napkin ring project. Customize it with your choice of fabric, heart color, or ribbon. Make it your own.

Don’t forget to check out these other Valentine’s DIY Projects:

• Valentine’s Day DIY Tulip Heart Topiary
• Heart-Shaped Valentine’s Air-Dry Clay Dish
• Easy Napkins with Pom-Poms for Valentine’s Day

I hope that you will PIN this Valentine’s napkin ring project and the other projects shared today. Check out these Valentine’s Day Pinterest Boards:

• Valentine’s DIY Ideas
• Valentine’s Day Ideas
• Valentine’s Day Tablescape Ideas

Next up is Cecilia of My Thrift Addiction with a big mossy heart project.

Modern on Monticello – Simple DIY Snowy Mason Jars With Fairy Lights
Birdz of a Feather – Crochet Earrings
Purple Hues and Me – No Sew Zipper Crossbody Bag
Bluesky at Home – Easy Valentine’s Napkin Rings (Zero Cost DIY)
My Thrift Store Addiction – DIY Mossy Heart in 2 Easy Steps