Many years ago, someone decided that plain buttons on a blouse needed to be covered up, and button covers were invented. What does this have to do with a napkin ring? While looking for buttons to sew onto my napkin rings, I found some old, unused button covers (in one of those containers that we won’t discuss). That was when the light bulb came on. By sewing on a plain button and using these button covers, I could change the look of my napkin rings.

Items required for each napkin ring:
strip of fabric about 7” x 9”
1 button – I realize not everyone kept their button covers, so if you don’t have a button cover, pick a button about 3/4” in diameter.

1. Cut two 8” x 3” strips of fabric for each napkin ring.
2. Place right-sides together.

3. Sew around all four sides with a 1/2” seam allowance, leaving a small opening for turning, approximately 2” in length, along one of the long edges.
4. To make turning easier, sew from the 1/2” stitch line towards the fabric edge on each side of the opening.

5. Clip the corners at a diagonal.

6. Trim seam allowance to 1/4” except at the opening.
7. Turn right-side out using your favorite point turner. Turn in the raw edges at the opening and press.

8. Top stitch near the edge all the way around. This will close the opening that was left for turning.

9. Mark center of napkin ring for button placement.
10. Sew a button at the mark.

11. Wrap ribbon or cording around the button and tie a knot. Trim the short end so it does not extend beyond the button cover or button. Cut the long end approximately 15” long.
12. If using a button cover, slip it into position.
13. Close button cover.

14. Wrap the fabric strip around the folded napkin, overlapping the strip ends to fit. Wrap the cord around the napkin ring (it should go around twice) and secure the cord by wrapping it around the button.

One button – one cover – many looks