How to make numbers or letters from napkins with your own hands?

Thanks to bright and unusual accessories, a children's birthday or photo shoot turns into a real holiday. One of the popular decoration options is volumetric numbers and letters from napkins, which are used not only as decoration, but also to entertain the kids.

Materials and equipment for work

Looking at pictures of volumetric numbers made of napkins, many people are afraid that it is impossible to make something like this with their own hands. In fact, it is not difficult to make them. The process takes some time, but the birthday boy’s emotions of happiness outweigh all the costs.

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 baby's gender, and the surrounding interior. It is desirable that the napkins are single-color. The approximate quantity is calculated based on the planned number of colors - each unit will require 1 napkin.
• When creating napkin numbers, you can combine several shades, alternating them with openwork and carved examples. 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.

Types of frame

First of all, you should make a frame to which the paper elements will be attached later. It is advisable to choose thick cardboard that will not tear or deform during the decoration process. There are several options for the base for numbers and letters made of napkins. They can be voluminous, flat or frameless.

Flat figure

Flat figures look less impressive than volumetric 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.

• If the size of the number does not exceed an A4 sheet, you can find a suitable diagram on the Internet and print it out.
• To create large figures, you need to draw a diagram on Whatman paper by hand or print it out in parts.
• Cut out all components.
• If there are several parts, join them end-to-end with tape.
• Then the resulting diagram must be attached to the prepared cardboard and the outline carefully traced.
• After this, you need to cut out the 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 a similar manner.

Volumetric

Volumetric letters and numbers made of napkins look brighter and more impressive. Their creation will take a little more time. Following the step-by-step instructions presented above, the first part is made. After that, you need to perform a few more steps.

• Print and cut out a similar pattern to serve as the back of the frame.
• The next stage involves cutting out the ribbon. It will serve as the end part of the volumetric figure. Its width is equal to the width of the future figure.
• For numbers that have a closed internal space (0, 4, 6, 8, 9), it is necessary to cut out additional side parts.
• Elements with rounded edges (2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 0) should be made very carefully. Making straight edges (1, 4, 7) will not be difficult.
• Once the preparatory process is complete, tape all the components together. The front and back are placed on the sides, the side tape is in the middle.

You can simplify the process by using foam rubber or polystyrene foam. To do this, you will need to prepare a stencil, trace it on the base material and cut it out using a stationery knife.

Below is a sequence of actions using the example of a volumetric unit for celebrating a 1-year-old:

1. Prepare a suitable box made of rigid cardboard.
2. Using a stencil, draw a diagram with the following dimensions: width 35 cm, height 70 cm, depth 12 cm. The dimensions may be different, depending on the desired volume of the figure.
3. Use a knife to cut out the two main parts and secure them with tape. Masking tape works best.
4. Cover the resulting cavities on the sides with a strip of cardboard of lower density.
5. After this, the blank for the number 1 for a year made from napkins must be pasted over with white paper so that the material used does not show through on the finished product.
6. The final stage is decorating the finished product. It involves attaching all the flowers prepared from napkins to the frame.

Frameless figures

Some decorative elements do not require the production of a rigid frame. These include figures made using the quilling technique and textile crafts with soft filling that creates volume. To make them, you will need to prepare a model on which the decorative parts will be attached later.

Flowers from napkins

Flowers are a universal element of decor. It is suitable not only for girls. Volumetric and bright chrysanthemums or asters will certainly please boys. There are many options for napkin flowers for numbers. When choosing the right one, you need to consider your own skills and the amount of time spent.

It is important to maintain proportionality. On a small product, too large flowers will look out of place. The larger the figure, the more buds will be needed. To speed up the process, the end parts can be covered with corrugated paper or pasted over with multi-colored cardboard.

Chrysanthemums

To create a voluminous chrysanthemum you will need:

• Cut the unfolded napkin along the folds.
• Place the resulting squares on top of each other.
• Fold the stack like an accordion. Imperfect lines will add naturalness to the finished product.
• Tie the resulting accordion tightly with a thread in the center.
• Using scissors, round off the edges on both sides.
• Starting with the first layer, gradually straighten out all the layers of the chrysanthemum.
• The result is a lush flower.

Roses

To make a rose for a number from napkins, you can use several techniques. The simplest and fastest includes the following steps.

• Straighten out the single-layer napkin completely.
• Next you need to fold it diagonally several times.
• A strip with beveled edges is formed.
• Next you need to twist it, but not too tightly.
• Tie one end with a thread so that the product does not fall apart.
• Carefully unfold the opposite free part, forming a rose.

Original and unusual buds can be made using a pencil.

• Cut the single-layer napkin into squares along the fold lines.
• Roll each square onto the pencil one by one until it reaches the middle.
• Press the workpiece tightly towards the center, forming a ridge. Remove it from the pencil.
• Twist all the other squares in a similar manner.
• Tightly twist the middle from one element. Then attach the remaining parts to it less tightly.
• Collect a flower.

End-cutting technique

The numbers and letters made from napkins for a birthday or anniversary using the technique of torturing 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 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, compressed with paper, onto the glued base.
• Fill the entire area in the same way.
• After this, smooth out all the decor with your fingers and carefully cut off the excess parts with scissors.

Flowers can also be made using the end-to-end technique.

To do this you will need:

• rectangular sheets of paper;
• stick or pencil for cutting;
• plasticine.

Instructions for making.

• Knead the plasticine with your hands.
• Wrap the pencil in paper so that most of it remains free.
• Insert it into the prepared plasticine.
• Repeat this same procedure for 3 more petals.
• Fill the gaps between them with petals of other shades.
• Cut out the middle from corrugated paper and attach it to the center of the flower.

The best option for end grain is polystyrene foam. Using it, you do not need glue, the stick easily enters the soft material, leaving end grain in it. In this way, you can make decorative lines and patterns on the figure.

Collecting numbers

Once all the preparatory processes are completed, you can proceed to the most important and interesting part – attaching the buds. To do this, 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.

All the edges of the figure are decorated in a similar way. At the final stage of making napkin figures, you need to wait until they dry completely and straighten out all the attached buds.

In the same way, you can make not only three-dimensional numbers from napkins, but also parts of words with your own hands. Having prepared several figures, you can congratulate the birthday boy on his birthday, making a composition from the letters of his name.

To make the finished product unique, experienced craftsmen advise paying attention to unusual decor - rhinestones, shiny stones, glitter. With the help of such accessories, flowers for numbers from napkins will look brighter, more elegant and solemn. In addition, it is not necessary to make all the buds monochromatic. You can use different shades.

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 unforgettable, but also any other celebration.

VIDEO: How to make a volumetric number from napkins.

50 original options for letters and numbers from napkins: