Choose a holder for your kitchen counter, a stand for the whole table or a flat stack for outdoor meals. Explore finished examples and open the shared Easel patterns to start your own.
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Start from a blank workpiece
Start with a blank workpiece in Easel and draw a five-inch base and matching sliding top. Add 3/8-inch dowel holes to the base and slightly larger 7/16-inch holes to the top, with matching centers. This small layout leaves 3 1/4 inches between the dowels, so measure your folded napkins before choosing the panel size. Test the hole fit in scrap; add dowels separately and check stock thickness, tabs and cutting setup before carving. The animation shows real editor steps, not a finished carve.
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From the Easel community
Choose a slim counter holder, a stand with room for condiments or a flat top that rests on the napkins. Each project links to its maker’s shared pattern.
Fleur-de-lis napkin holderby Shannon DoleseShannon Dolese made a slim poplar holder for the kitchen counter, with a fleur-de-lis opening and small carved scrolls. The second workpiece lays out both sides and rectangular base pieces on a 24-inch board. Use the shared parts as your starting point and plan the joints and finish to suit your own napkins.
Napkin & Condiment Standby Jeff ParishJeff Parish keeps napkins, salt, pepper and toothpicks together on one table stand. Dolphin cutouts decorate the upright panels, and pockets locate the shakers. The main Easel file contains the panels and base in two workpieces. His notes describe a Monkeypod base with upright plywood panels and turquoise-colored decorative fill.
Outdoor Napkin Holderby Steve GoodSteve Good uses a rose-cutout top to hold a stack of napkins flat between two dowels. He made the photographed example with a scroll saw, then shared an Easel pattern for the top and base. The preview is set to half-inch bamboo; choose your own dowels and fit them to the holes before assembly.
See more napkin holder search results →
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From the maker’s project notes
Jeff’s project comments include questions about the panel and base files. Read the thread signed out, or log in to add your own question.
Before cutting his Monkeypod base, Jeff Parish tested the critical slots and pockets in MDF. This lets you adjust the fit where the upright panels enter the base before using the hardwood. He then sanded and lacquered the parts before securing the panels with a few drops of CA glue.
Project notes by Jeff Parish: read the source.
From Napkin & Condiment Stand by Jeff Parish.
Ask a questionStart with carved poplar sides, a dolphin stand or a flat rose-cutout top. Adapt the shared pattern to the size of your napkins and the space on your table.
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