Today it is very fashionable to decorate the house for some holiday with homemade letters and numbers. The method of making letters from napkins is very common, and this is no coincidence, because you simply cannot come up with a more accessible material, and the principle of operation itself is very simple, although it may seem to novice needlewomen that this is not so. But we will dispel your doubts and tell you how to make a letter from napkins with your own hands.
Materials and equipment for work
Looking at pictures depicting three-dimensional numbers made from napkins, many people fear that it is impossible to do something similar with their own hands. In fact, they are not difficult to make. The process takes some time, but the birthday boy’s emotions of happiness cover all costs.
Not the last place at the holiday is occupied by external paraphernalia - flowers, gifts, music, surroundings.
Tools and materials required for work:
- Paper napkins. They can be single-layer or multi-layer. When choosing a color, you should focus on the occasion of the celebration, the gender of the baby, and the surrounding interior. It is advisable that the napkins be plain. The approximate quantity is calculated based on the planned number of flowers - 1 napkin will be required for each unit.
- When creating numbers from napkins, you can combine several shades, alternating them with openwork and carved specimens. They will make the composition more voluminous and unusual.
- The threads can be simple cotton. For ease of cutting, you will need scissors or a stationery knife.
- A stapler will simplify the fastening process.
- Glue or tape for fixation.
- To create the base you will need a cardboard blank. You can use an empty box from household appliances.
The decor of the room in honor of the festival can turn a traditional celebration into something special.
Important! To ensure a high-quality connection of elements, it is necessary to select the strongest options.
First we make flowers
This information will be useful to anyone who wants to know how to make the number “1” from napkins. This stage is very simple, but it takes a lot of time, since to create a number you will need a fairly large number of flowers. If possible, it is better to involve assistants in this matter.
To create this option, the numbers begin by using red two-layer napkins measuring 33 cm. One such napkin produces two flowers. To make a flower, you should:
- cut the napkin in half;
- fold the halves in half again and cut again;
- put two quarters together and fasten them in the middle with a stapler;
- then a circle is cut out of the square. You can do this by eye;
- then, starting from the top, squeeze each layer in turn with your fingers;
- then the flower is unwrapped, carefully straightening each petal.
To optimize the process, craftswomen advise first making as many of these blanks as possible, and then creating beautiful flowers from them.
White flowers are also made using the same principle. If you come across white napkins, which, unlike red ones, are single-layered and smaller in size, you will have to make some effort to create blanks from them identical to the red ones. You need to fold three white napkins together, place a red square of the required size on top of them and cut out a blank along its contour. Then everything is done according to the scheme described above. In total, to design the number “1” you will need to make 86 red flowers and 65 white ones. This will take approximately four hours.
Types of frame
First of all, you should make a frame onto which the paper elements will be attached in the future. It is advisable to choose thick cardboard that will not tear or deform during the decorating process. There are several options for the basis for numbers and letters from napkins. They can be voluminous, flat or frameless.
One of the simple and uncomplicated ways to decorate your home is the holiday trend of recent years - numbers made from napkins.
Flat figure
Flat figures look less impressive compared to voluminous ones. However, their production will require less time and effort. To create such a frame with your own hands, you will need to follow the recommendations.
This decorative element has gained popularity; it is used as a prop at children's photo shoots and at various holidays.
- If the size of the figure does not exceed an A4 sheet, you can find a suitable diagram on the Internet and print it.
- To create large figures, you need to draw a diagram on whatman paper by hand or print it in parts.
- Cut out all components.
- If there are several parts, connect them end to end with tape.
- Then the resulting diagram must be attached to the prepared cardboard and carefully traced around the outline.
- After this, you need to cut out a figure from cardboard.
- If you plan to make several numbers from napkins with your own hands, you will need to repeat the entire process in the same way.
Volumetric letters made of foam plastic
These letters can be cut out of foam plastic with your own hands; they will be an excellent decoration for any romantic evening or holiday.
Facing technique
Numbers and letters made from napkins made using the cutting technique for a birthday or anniversary look very voluminous. They turn out fluffy and weightless. Corrugated paper is best suited for these purposes. If you don’t have it, you can use plain napkins.
The joyful emotions of your loved ones and guests more than pay for all the time and effort.
The process consists of several stages.
- Cut paper or napkins into equal squares.
- Place a pencil in the center of the sheet and press it with paper.
- Apply glue to the surface.
- Place a pencil, crimped with paper, on the glued base.
- Fill the entire area in the same way.
- After this, smooth out the entire decor with your fingers and carefully cut off the excess parts with scissors.
It is quite difficult to predict in advance how many napkins you will need.
But when purchasing, consider the size of the finished product. Flowers can also be made using the trimming technique.
To do this you will need:
- rectangular sheets of paper;
- stick or pencil for trimming;
- plasticine.
The larger the figure, the more material will be needed for it.
Craft pillow
This craft can be both decor and a pillow. To create it you will need the following materials:
- Cardboard template.
- Fleece fabric in different shades.
- Sintepon for filling.
Making a pillow letter is easy. The template needs to be transferred to the material, then cut the fabric, leaving 1.5 cm for the seams, machine stitched and stuffed with padding polyester. Sew the remaining space by hand.
Collecting numbers
Upon completion of all the preparatory processes, you can proceed to the most important and interesting thing - attaching the buds. To do this, you need to apply a small amount of glue to the lower, flat part of the flower (it is most convenient to do this with a special gun) and carefully glue it to the cardboard base.
Important! For high-quality gluing, you should press each element well, holding down the pressure for several seconds.
You will most likely need from 200 to 500 flowers per piece.
All edges of the figure are decorated in a similar way. At the final stage, when making numbers from napkins, you need to wait until they dry completely and straighten all the attached buds.
In the same way, with your own hands you can make not only three-dimensional numbers from napkins, but also parts of words. Having prepared several figures, it is possible to congratulate the birthday person on his birthday by making a composition from the letters of his name.
This way you can make inexpensive, but very effective decor for your holiday.
To make the finished product unique, experienced craftsmen advise paying attention to unusual decor - rhinestones, shiny stones, sparkles. With the help of such accessories, flowers for numbers made from napkins will look brighter, more elegant and solemn. In addition, it is not necessary to make all the buds the same color. Various shades can be used.
The main thing is that they combine with each other and match the rest of the holiday decoration.
Thanks to this article, there should be no questions left about how to make numbers and letters from napkins. Using a little imagination and armed with the necessary materials and tools, you can make not only a children's party, but also any other celebration unforgettable.
How to decorate?
There are several different ways to decorate such products with your own hands. Choose yours based on the overall design style and the necessary materials.
Here are the most common options:
1. using twine, 2. colored yarn, 3. fabric - organza, chiffon, satin and even velvet, 4. floral films for packaging, 5. using regular colored paper, 6. corrugated paper, stationery or floral, 7 ... flowers from ordinary napkins. You can simply wrap the frame with these materials, or you can create volume by turning fabric or paper into fluffy flowers or “bumps” sticking out in different directions. Let's talk about some of the methods in a little more detail.
In eco style
To decorate a letter or number in a fashionable eco-style, you only need twine and glue. This decor will easily fit into any interior and will not require large expenditures of both time and materials. The main task is to carefully wrap the outline with twine with your own hands, first coating the area of the box with glue.
The twine can be left unpainted or painted in any desired color with acrylic paints directly on the product.
