How to Make Paper Napkin Roses

While I think this simple DIY is ideal for Mother’s Day (P.S. send the link to hubby and have him supervise the craft with the kids), I also happen to think that adding paper napkin roses to your table setting is worthy of any special occasion this spring, from showers to birthdays to tea parties.

You could, of course, apply the same folding technique to proper cotton napkins if you want to make this feel a little more fancy, but paper napkins work just as well and have the added bonuses of being available to purchase in large quantities, in lovely flower-ey colours, and they easily sit inside almost any jar or drinking glass you’ll be placing on the table.

For this project you will need:

• Square green napkins
• Square pink (or yellow or red) napkins
• Drinking glass or mason jar

To make the outer leaves:

1. Open the green square napkin and fold in half along the diagonal.
2. Fold the long side in half again.
3. Fold the long side in half once more so you are left with a smaller triangle.

To make the rose:

1. Open the pink square napkin and fold in half.
2. Fold in half again along the long side.
3. Roll the napkin into a cylinder. When you are finished fold the open end into a triangular flap for an outer petal.

To assemble:

1. Open the green triangle and lay the ‘rose’ the middle of the bottom triangle.
2. Fold the top triangle over and gather the bottom of the rose and leaves together. Arrange in the glass, opening the outer leaves and separating the roll until it resembles a rose.

A quick note: I purchased my napkins at my local dollar store, which, I have to say, is stocked with a stellar selection of colours and patterns for spring and summer.