Different Napkin Folds

Traditional Fold

TRADITIONAL NAPKIN FOLDUse a napkin ring, ribbon, or raffia bow to secure this fold

Step 1:Fold napkin in quarters. Set on a diagonal with the folded center

portion at the top.

Tip: Iron napkins flat first to avoid folded creases

Step 2:Make 2-4 small pleats on each side of the napkin, about 4" from the top.

Tip: Have napkin ring ready.

Step 2:Shown with both sides pleated, ready to be inserted into the napkin

ring.

Step 3:Insert the top four inches of the napkin into napkin ring so the "wings"

of the napkin can be spread out.

Tip: Arrange folds as needed to be attractive

Rolling Fold

ROLLING NAPKIN FOLDYou'll need a napkin ring, ribbon, or raffia bow to secure this fold.

Step 1:Fold napkin in quarters. Set on a diagonal with the folded center

portion at the top and all open edges at the bottom.

Step 2:Begin rolling each side toward the center, making 2 long rolls (this will

be the back).

Tip: Have napkin ring ready.

Step 3:Shown fully rolled up from each side, ready to be inserted into the

napkin ring.

Step 4:Insert the roll into a napkin ring and turn over so smooth side is up.

GOBLET FAN FOLD

Fold napkins after you've set out the goblets. Though some very limp fabrics may need to be starched or ironed, this fold looks good with both soft drapey folds as well as crisply ironed folds.

Step 1:Lay the napkin flat.

Step 2:Begin accordian folding from the bottom, all the way up to the top.

Make each fold about 3/4" - 1" wide.

Tip: Have goblets ready.

Step 3:Fold the pleated napkin in half.

Step 4:Insert the napkin into the goblet, folding the first inch or so under (as

shown) to keep pleats secure.

Finished FoldUnfold the pleats and shape into a fan. Interlock the two center pleats

if needed to keep the fan intact.

Knotted Fold

KNOTTED NAPKIN FOLDKnot the napkin very loosely so guests won't have to struggle to open it.

Step 1:Lay the napkin flat on a diagonal.

Step 2:Bring the top half down to form a triangle with the fold across the top.

Step 3:Beginning at the bottom, start rolling the napkin up.

Step 4:Roll all the way up to the folded edge.

Step 5:Fold roll in half in preparation for tying the knot.

Step 6:Loop end through and loosely tie a knot.

Finished FoldAdjust the ends if necessary.

Tailored Fold

TAILORED NAPKIN FOLDThis compact fold is perfect for a luncheon.

Step 1:Lay the napkin out flat.

Step 2:Fold the bottom half up so the fold is at the bottom.

Step 3:Fold again, so the napkin is folded in quarters.

Step 4:Take 2 of the 4 corners and fold them down at an angle.

Step 5:Roll or fold them under to make a fold about 1-2" wide.

Step 6:Fold the other 2 corners to the back, an inch or two above the first

fold.

Finished FoldFold the pointed sides toward the back, forming the finished fold.

Filling the PocketSilverware can be inserted into the "pocket" if desired.

Tip: To make this fold more secure, turn the napkin over and insert the 2 back edges into each other. Iron to add additional crispness to the

fold.

Pocket Fold

POCKET NAPKIN FOLDLeave this fold plain, or embellish by filling the pocket with a flower.

Step 1:Lay the napkin out flat.

Step 2:Fold the left half over so the fold is at the left.

Step 3:Fold up the bottom edge about 4".

Step 4:Fold up again 4". This view shows the right side (where silverware will be inserted into the pocket. Now, turn the napkin over and fold in each

side to the center. Insert one of the back edges inside of the other to secure the folds.

Finished FoldTurn to the right side and insert silverware into the "pocket".

Stand Up Fan

Step 1:Lay the napkin out flat.

Step 2:Fold the left half over so the fold is at the left.

Step 3:Begin accordian folding at the bottom. Make each pleat about 3/4"-1"

wide.

Step 4:Pleat only about 2/3 of the napkin.

Step 5:Fold the right side in half, underneath.

Step 6:Fold the top left corner down at an angle. On the right side the

edges should stick out about 1" past the fold of the napkin.

Step 7:Fold this 1" overlap under to secure the pleats and make the

"stand".

Finished FoldLet go of the pleats and let the fan out. Adjust folds.

Three Point "Hat"

THREE POINT HAT NAPKIN FOLDHere's an easy decorative fold that's often seen in restaurants.

Step 1:Lay the napkin out flat on the diagonal.

Step 2:Fold the bottom half up so the fold is at the bottom.

Step 3:Lift each of the 2 side points up to the top center point.

Step 4:The napkin should now look like this.

Step 5:Turn the napkin over.

Step 6:Fold the bottom half up to form a triangle. This will be the front of

the napkin.

Step 7:Turn the napkin over.

Step 8:Bring the 2 side corners to the center and fold one inside of the

other to secure the fold.

Step 9:Again turn the napkin over to the front.

Finished FoldFold down the 2 ends to form the 3 points.

Cuffed Roll

CUFFED ROLL NAPKIN FOLDThis napkin fold is simple and takes up little space on a holiday table.

Step 1:Lay the napkin out flat on the diagonal.

Step 2:Fold the bottom half up so the fold is at the bottom.

Step 3:At the bottom edge, fold under about 1-2", toward the back.

Step 4:At one side begin rolling the napkin.

Step 5:Continue rolling all the way across.

Step 6:At the back, secure the left point into the folded cuff.

Finished FoldTurn the napkin over for the finished fold.

Tulip Fold

Here's another beautiful napkin fold that is easy and pretty.

Step 1:Fold the napkin in half on the diagonal.

Step 2:Holding the bottom center point fairly flat, form a center pleat.

Step 3:Still holding the bottom center point fairly flat, form 2 side pleats.

Tip: Have the napkin ring ready.

Finished FoldInsert the bottom into the napkin ring. Place on your table and adjust

the folds.

A Cat's Paw

Use a crisp starched napkin and iron each fold for a more precise looking napkin fold.

Step 1:Lay the napkin out flat.

Iron flat for best results.

Step 2:Begin folding each of the 4 corners to the center point.

Step 3:The napkin should now look like this, with the 4 points in the center.

Step 4:Again, fold each of the 4 corners into the center.

Step 5:The napkin should look like this.

Tip: Iron flat if desired.

Step 6:Turn the napkin over.

Step 7:Once again, fold each of the corners into the center.

Tip: Iron if desired.

Step 7:Hold the center firmly.

Step 8:Now, reach underneath each corner and pull out the loose edge.

Step 9:You can stop at this point, or reach under again and pull out the other

edges.

Finished FoldThis fold may look best with a flower, gift, roll, or pumpkin set in the

cener.

Click to see Next Fold...

Triangle Pocket Fold

This fold takes more time to accomplish and forms a compact shape. Use a crisp starched napkin if you wish this shape to stand upright.

Step 1:Lay the napkin out flat.

Tip: Iron flat for best results.

Step 2:Fold the bottom 1/3 up.

Step 3:Fold the top 1/3 down.

Step 4:Fold the right side down at an

angle.

Step 5:Fold the left side down at a

matching angle.

Step 6:Fold the bottom tabs up to be

even with the rest of the napkin.

Tip: Iron flat if desired.

Step 7:Fold each corner into the center.

Finished FoldSecure by inserting one corner into the other. This will form a

pocket.

Scarf Fold

SCARF NAPKIN FOLDA casual, drapey fold.Tip: Use a napkin ring, ribbon, or raffia bow to secure this fold.

Step 1:Lay napkin flat and grasp center point.

Tip: Iron napkins flat first to avoid folded creases

Step 2:Holding the center, let the points fall into folds.

Tip: Have napkin ring ready.

Step 3:Insert into napkin ring.

Tip: Arrange folds as desired.

Click to see Next Fold...

Bishops Hat

The Bishops Hat napkin fold is a very classic fold used in many restaurants. This fold looks great lying down or standing up on the place setting and works well with most of our cotton and linen dinner napkins. For best folding results, it may help to first iron the napkins thoroughly with starch to ensure a more rigid napkin.

Step1

Iron the napkin flat.

Step2

Fold the napkin in half diagonally.

Step3

Fold the bottom right and left corners up to the top corner.

Step4

Fold the bottom corner 3/4 of the way up to the top corner.

Step5

Fold the front top corner down flush with the bottom as shown.

Step6

Fold the two top flaps down and tuck the edges under the front fold as shown.

Step7

Turn the napkin over and fold the left hand side over one-third of the way.

Step8

Fold the right hand side over and tuck the napkin underneath the left hand fold

Folding a Napkin For a Buffet

If you are looking for a fold that is both simple and functional, the buffet style napkin fold will work for you. Usually used with more casual dining occasions, the buffet napkin fold will frame your silverware nicely into an elegant and compact place setting. This fold works well with most of our cotton and linen dinner napkins. For best folding results, it may help to first iron the napkins thoroughly with starch to ensure a more rigid napkin.

Step1

Iron the napkin flat.

Step2

Fold the napkin in half and orient the open end toward you.

Step3

Fold the napkin into quarters.

Step4

Orient the napkin so the open corner is facing away and to the right. Fold the top-most layer of napkin diagonally down to the center and press it

flat.

Step5

Roll the same layer down as shown in the picture.

Step6

Take the next layer corner and fold it to meet the first fold

Step7

Roll the same layer down and tuck underneath the first layer

Step8

Turn the napkin over. Fold the left side back about 1/3 of the way and press it down.

Step9

Fold the right side back to meet the left hand fold and tuck underneath the flap. Press with an iron.

Step10

Flip it over and insert the silverware

Crown

Step1

Iron the napkin flat.

Step2

Fold the napkin in half diagonally.

Step3

Orient the napkin so the open ends are pointing away from you. Bring the left and right corners of the napkin to the point of the triangle

(center of the napkin)

Step4

Fold the bottom of the napkin one half of the way up and press this fold down as well.

Step5

Flip the napkin over and fold the left hand side over one third of the way. Fold the right side over and tuck the napkin underneath the left fold

Step6

Flip the napkin over again and pull the two tips of the napkins down to form petals

Heart

Step1

Iron the napkin flat.

Step2

Fold the napkin in half

Step3

Fold the napkin in half again

Step4

Fold the right hand side up vertically. Repeat with the left side.

Step5

You will now shape the heart by tucking the center flaps under

Step6

Finish by tucking the corner flaps underneath.