DIY Napkin Folding

DIY Napkin Folding: can be a very simple exercise or made extremely complicated. There are no rights or wrongs. Having said that there are some traditional placements and presentations for the napkins (or serviettes) that I will discuss, as well as other issues such as starched linen versus paper napkins, the use of napkin rings, the traditional size of a napkin, napkin colours, etc.

DIY Napkin Folding: Issues

If on a DIY budget then you may decide against the hire of linen napkins, although starched white linen napkins are traditional for weddings. It is unusual to find them in a great range of colours whereas you may purchase paper napkins, available in a whole host of colours. When doing so you will notice different prices for seemingly the same product and quantity. That’s because there is a difference in the “ply”, i.e. number of fine individual sheets that are in a napkin. (One is the lowest and too easily torn for origami.) Two ply is the minimum standard to use. Also note the different mat or sheen surfaces, the latter being less absorbent, and the different overall sizes. Larger napkins are more effective for the simpler shapes.

DIY Napkin Folding: Traditional Shapes and Their Placement

A square paper napkin comes pre-folded in packs – i.e. it has been folded twice into a square.

Taking this pre-folded square fold it in half (resulting in a triangle) and place it on the side plate. If there are no side plates then it may be placed to the left hand side of the cutlery setting (i.e. knife).

Alternatively a square paper napkin may be folded in half and half again. The triangle can be placed “standing” on its edge, the centre crease (tip of the triangle) to the forefront, equal distance between the knife and fork.

A variation: again take your square paper napkin, fold in half and half again. Forming a circle with the longest edge of the triangle (like a tiara) tuck one of the back edges into the corresponding opposite edge. This will result in a freestanding tiara to be placed centrally in your place setting.

DIY Napkin Folding: Using A Glass

At large functions paper napkins are sometimes placed in a wine glasses. Different shades of your wedding colour make a stunning effect.

Take the square napkin by one of its points and rotate is so that it becomes a diamond-like shape. Create a wave effect with three simple folds (bends) backwards and forwards, but do NOT crease the folds. Place (longest point/fold downwards) in the glass. Alternatively make a tiara (see above) and place it in the wine glass.

DIY Napkin Folding: Making A Fan

- Take your pre-folded square paper napkin and place it on a flat surface.
- Open the napkin (undo one fold) so that it forms a rectangle.
- Turn one of the shorter sides to face you.
- Take the shorter side (nearest to you) and fold a crease of half an inch upwards.
- Now turn the napkin over and fold a second crease, half an inch upwards.
- Continue turning and creasing the napkin half an inch upwards until you come to the end of the napkin.
- Secure one end of the folded napkin in the middle prong of a table fork.
- The top edge will open out into a fan.

DIY Napkin Folding: A Basic Butterfly

- Pre-cut two pieces of ribbon into 3 ˝ inch/8 cm strips. Put them to one side.
- Follow the same instructions for making a fan. Once you have finished folding the napkin take the two pre-cut ribbons and tie them around the centre of the concertinaed napkin in a loose knot (so that guests may easily untie them). Fan out the two edges to form the butterfly wings.
- Place centrally between the cutlery setting.

DIY Napkin Folding: Using Napkin Rings

Take the centre of the square napkin. Poke one-third through the napkin ring. Arrange the remaining two thirds like a rosette by pulling the individual pieces of napkin ply apart at the edges (but not so much so that it becomes an ineffective serviette).

Napkin rings are not usually used at weddings. Having said that they may be and given by the bride and groom as wedding favors.

DIY Napkin Folding: More Unusual Shapes

Lady Windermere's Fan

1. Fold napkin in half.
2. Make 1/2" accordion pleats, starting at bottom.
3. Fold in half with pleating on the outside.
4. Fold upper right corner diagonally down to folded base of pleats and turn under edge.
5. Place on table and release pleats to form fan.

Bishop's Mitre

1. Fold napkin bringing top to bottom.
2. Fold corners to center line.
3. Turn napkin over and rotate 1/4 turn.
4 Fold bottom edge up to top edge and flip point out from under top fold. 5. Turn left end into pleat at left forming a point on left side.
6. Turn napkin over and turn right end into pleat forming a point on right side.
7. Open base and stand upright.

The Rose

1. Fold all 4 corners of open napkin to center.
2. Fold new corners to center.
3. Turn napkin over and fold all 4 corners to center. 4. Holding center firmly, reach under each corner and pull up flaps to form petals. Reach between petals and pull flaps from underneath.

Cardinal's Hat

1. Fold napkin in half diagonally.
2. Fold corners to meet at top point.
3. Turn napkin over with points to the top, fold lower corner 2/3 way up.
4. Fold back onto itself. 5. Bring corners together tucking one into the other.
6. Open base of fold and stand upright.

Bird of Paradise

1. Fold napkin in half, and then half again horizontally.
2. Then fold in half diagonally with points on the top and facing up.
3. Fold left and right sides down along center line, turning their extended points under.
4. Fold points of bottom corners underneath and fold in half on long end.
5. Pull up points and arrange fabric on a surface.

DIY Napkin Folding: Comments

There are numerous shapes, the above are just a few. One site you may be interested in that has over a hundred napkin folds is www.restaurantedge.com.