Set at the table's centre, this napkin holder houses enough paper napkins to satisfy even the messiest holiday diner's requirements. An added feature of this project, and one that is not readily apparent, is that it can be used as a serving dish or bread basket: simply drape an unfolded napkin over the empty holder and tuck it into the gaps at each corner. I used 1/2" Baltic birch plywood for my project, which works well for a painted finish, but the design lends itself to using any scraps or offcuts you may have lying around the shop, even medium-density fiberboard (MDF) works great as long as it's painted.
Begin the construction of the napkin holder by cutting the four sides to shape: make a template and trace the shape onto each side and mark the finger hole centres. Drill the holes first, then cut the contoured top edge using a bandsaw or jigsaw. Sand the edges smooth before assembly. Here's a tip if you don't have an oscillating spindle sander or sanding drum and drill press to smooth the curved edges. Clamp a hand-held belt sander to your workbench on its side, with a thin spacer underneath so the belt doesn't mar the surface. You'll find the front wheel very useful for smoothing inside curves and the flat area great for outside curves.
Next, cut the base to size and attach solid wood base trim to all the exposed edges with glue, mitring each corner to fit. After this has dried, sand everything smooth and use a router fitted with a 3/16"-dia. bit to shape the base edge.
Attach the sides to the base using two screws in each, driven from the underside. This works best if you drive the screws into predrilled holes so the points extend just above the base. This stops the sides from sliding during assembly.
Depending on the final finish you choose, apply it now, or before the pieces are assembled. To duplicate the finish I used for my project, apply a wash coat of two parts white latex paint to one part water to all surfaces. When the wash coat has dried, sand the parts to flatten raised grain them apply another wash coat. Finally, with a small detail brush paint the inside of finger holes and the routed base edge.
To complete the project, attach the four feet to the bottom.
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