Napkin Folding Techniques

Fancy Napkin Folding Instruction

The Art Of Napkin Folding For The Table

The serviettes or table napkins should be neatly and tastefully folded when first put on the table. In ordinary family use they are often folded smoothly and slipped through napkin rings made of silver, ivory, or bone.

In the following, we give instructions and illustrations showing a few ways of making these useful articles an ornament to the table, but these fancy designs are not fashionable in the household now, and the serviette should simply be folded neatly and laid flat on the plate.

The accompanying engravings depict popular designs and the methods of folding napkins. It must, however, be remembered that it is useless to attempt anything but the most simple forms unless the napkins have been slightly starched and smoothly ironed. In every case the serviette folding must be exact, or the result will be slovenly and unsightly.

The usual size of these indispensable accompaniments to the dinner table is a square measuring about 30 inches. The designs in the following illustrations are worked out with a square serviette, and there is a diagram showing how each serviette fold is made and the effect that is produced in every case.

A small dinner roll or piece of bread cut thick, about 3 inches square, should be placed in each folded napkin, when such designs as "The Mitre," are used, and the appearance of the dinner table may be greatly improved by putting a flower or small bouquet in napkins folded into other patterns.

Napkin Folding Techniques - The Classic Fans

The Single Fan

1. Fold the serviette into three in the manner shown in diagram 2.
3. Pleat, open out, and place in a serviette ring or glass.

The Double Fan

4. Fold into four in the manner shown in diagram 5.
6. Pleat, open out, and stand alone at the corner of the table.

The Tiered Fan

7. Fold or pleat in the manner shown in diagram 8.
9. Pleat, open out, and place in a glass or serviette ring.

The Triple Fan

10. Fold in the manner shown in diagram 11.
12. Pleat, open out, and stand alone.

Napkin Folding Ideas - The Palm, The Lily, The Cactus

The Palm Leaf

1. Fold the serviette into four.
2. Then diagonally across and pleat.
3. The Palm Leaf.

The Lily

4. After the serviette has been folded into four, fold across diagonally and turn two loose leaves on to either side. Pleat and pull down two leaves from either side of the centre.
5. The Lily.

The Cactus

6. Fold into four.
7. Then diagonally across, as for the Palm Leaf, and pull down the four leaves.
8. The Cactus.

Dinner Napkin Folding Techniques - The Mitre

The Mitre (or Miter)

1. Fold the serviette into three.
2. Then the ends (A A) over to the centre line (B).
3. Fold down the corners (C C) to the centre.
4. Then fold the back across at the dotted line (D).
5. Tuck the point (E) into pleat (F).
6. And the other point (G) into the pleat on the reverse side (H).
7. Complete.

Note: The mitre design is perfect for supporting either a dinner roll or flower blossom in its centre.

Easy Napkin Folding Techniques - The Rose

The Rose

1. Lay the serviette flat on the table, and fold at the dotted lines so that the corners (A A A A) meet at centre spot.
2. Without turning the serviette, fold the corners down again in the same manner.
3. And repeat again.
4. Now turn the serviette over on to the plain side.
5. Fold at the lines so that the corners (B B B B) meet at the centre.
6. Hold a tumbler firmly on the serviette at the dotted circle.
7. Pull each of the points away from underneath.
8. Complete.

Note: The rose design when left flat at step 6, is perfect as a base for a wine or water glass. The completed rose design can support a dinner roll or flower blossom in its centre.

Table Napkin Folding Techniques - The Sachet

The Sachet

1. Fold the serviette into three.
2. Then the corners (A B) down to the centre line (C).
3. Fold the flaps (C D C D) underneath, then fold triangular parts at centre line (E).
4. Turn down the folds (F F) to form a stand.
5. Curl the triangular flap round.
6. Complete.

Note: The open sachet design is perfect for holding a dinner roll in its curled, open end.

Fancy Napkin Folding Techniques - The Flat Sachet

The Flat Sachet

1. Fold the serviette into four.
2. Fold up half of the front pleat to form a band.
3. Fold into eight equal leaves and close up.
4. Tuck in each of the four corners (A) of the front pleat only on both front and back, and tuck the upper triangular part that is produced into the band.
5. Complete.

To make the Single Sachet, fold the serviette into three, then after making the band, fold into six, and make the diamond on one side only.

Note: This folded napkin design is perfect for placing either silver cutlery or a rose beneath the folded band.