Enhancing your table setting with cloth napkins not only adds a touch of elegance but also a splash of color and pattern. They’re practical, decorative, and can be folded in numerous creative ways to suit any dining event. Here are 28 different methods to fold cloth napkins for a special or casual dining experience.
The Diagonal Pocket Fold This classic fold is both elegant and practical, offering a spot to tuck in silverware, fresh herbs, or a flower stem. Place the napkin on a flat surface with the design side down. Fold the top two corners over to the bottom two corners, then in half again to form a square. Create a diagonal pocket by bringing one corner over the diagonally opposite corner and flipping it over. The Casual Napkin Ring Fold For a simple yet decorative touch, add a napkin ring in various colors, finishes, and textures. This fold is quick and works for both casual and dressier tables, especially with linen napkins. Place the napkin face up and pinch the center, then feed it through the napkin ring, adjusting the ends to look full before placing it on or next to a plate. The Fan Fold For a formal table setting, consider the fan fold, which works best with stiffer, well-pressed napkins. Start with the napkin face down and fold it in half, then create an accordion fold about an inch to two inches wide. Fold until two folds away from the short end, then fold the entire napkin in half over your left hand and position the accordion portion on top. Tuck the bottom left corner diagonally inside the folded accordion corner.Master the art of napkin folding with these 28 different techniques to enhance your table settings.
1. Triangle Fold: Press down to create a neat fold, resulting in a triangular overhang. Turn the napkin over and unfold the fan, spreading out the folds evenly.
2. The Roll: Roll a napkin into a cylinder shape, and secure it with a napkin ring or twine for a formal or casual look.
3. Envelope Fold: Fold a square napkin into a triangle, tuck in both pointed ends twice, and tuck in the top flap to form an envelope.
4. Drape Fold: Lay the napkin flat, fold the left half over the right, then fold from bottom to top. Turn and fold the top corner one-third down, and angle the corners to form a diamond.
5. Double Diamond Fold: Fold a square napkin diagonally to form a triangle, bring the bottom corners to meet the top, flip, and fold up the bottom corner. Tuck under the corners to create a rectangular shape with a diamond at the top.
6. Bow Fold: Create a bow by folding a napkin diagonally into a triangle, folding the top and bottom inward, and then folding in half. Lay the strip horizontally, flip down both ends, and secure with a napkin ring.
7. Plate Wrap: Fold a square napkin into thirds from top to bottom, flip over onto a plate, and tuck the ends underneath.
8. Four Leaf Clover: Shape napkins like four-leaf clovers for a festive St. Patrick’s Day touch, anchoring the center with a festive accent.
Each fold adds a unique touch to your table, whether for a special occasion or everyday dining. Experiment with these folds to find the perfect style for your event.
Discover 28 innovative methods to fold cloth napkins for special occasions and everyday use. Each technique adds a touch of elegance and creativity to your table settings.
Clover Leaf Fold: Inspired by St. Patrick’s Day baubles, this fold is achieved by folding each corner of a square napkin into the center, creating a smaller square. Fold corners in again into the center, flip over, and fluff out the bottom of each corner to create the clover leaf effect. Bunny Fold: Perfect for Easter, fold the napkin into thirds and then fold the lower corners up to meet in the center, creating a paper-airplane shape. Place an egg on the pointed tip and tie ‘ears’ above it with a ribbon. Carrot Fold: Lay a square napkin flat, fold it evenly in half to form a rectangle, and then fold again to create a smaller square. Roll the napkin into a cone shape and tuck in the ends. Cut leaf shapes from green crepe paper and roll them into the open end to create your ‘carrot’. Triple Pocket Fold: Start by folding a square napkin in half from bottom to top, then in half again from left to right. Fold back the open top corner layer little by little until it’s just past the center of the napkin. Tuck the tip of the second layer under the layer you just folded back, and repeat with the third layer. Fold the right side under to create a vertical rectangle with three pockets. Lotus Fold: This beautiful flower-shaped fold begins with folding each corner of a square napkin into the center to form a smaller square. Flip over and fold each corner into the center again. Pull up the flap from underneath at each corner to create the petals while holding down the center point of the napkin. Flower Vase Fold: Fold the top right and bottom left corners of a square napkin into the center so they meet. Flip over and fold the front-facing half of the napkin up, leaving the left flap unfolded. Reach underneath and unfold the right fold so it lays flat. Roll the napkin around a small vase, tuck in the end, and fold down the top corners along the vase’s edge. Fill the vase with water and add flowers to your bouquet. Diamond Pocket Fold: Fold a square dinner napkin in half and face the open end of the newly made rectangle toward you. Fold it in half again to make a smaller square, then rotate it so the open corner is facing away from you. Fold the open corner of the top layer almost in half to the bottom corner, and repeat with the next two layers, leaving a small space between corners. Tuck the corners underneath the napkin about one-third of the way on either side. Knot Fold: Lay a square dinner napkin completely flat and gather the corners at the top left and bottom right. Tuck the corners into the center of the bundle and tie the napkin in a tight or loose knot to achieve your desired look.Discover the art of napkin folding with 28 distinct styles to enhance your table settings.
The Leaf: Start by folding your square napkin diagonally to create a triangular shape. Take the top corner down towards the center, then accordion fold the napkin with 2-inch increments for a long strip. Fold in half and match the corners to form a leaf shape. You can leave it loose or secure with a napkin ring or ribbon. The Fan: Place your square napkin design side down and fold in half vertically. Accordion-fold the napkin from the bottom, ensuring equal-sized folds. Stop when four inches from the top, flip over, fold in half again, and tuck the top corner into the center to fan it out. The Heart: Ideal for romantic occasions, fold the napkin vertically twice. Fold the sides up and tuck the center flaps under to start the heart shape, then tuck the corner flaps underneath to complete it. The Bird of Paradise: Fold a square napkin in half, then quarters, and diagonally to form a triangle. Turn it so the tip is away from you, fold the corners diagonally towards the center, and fold the wings under to create a triangle shape. Fold in half and pull up the flaps to form the bird’s feathers. The Rose: Lay your square napkin flat and fold diagonally to form a triangle. Roll it up halfway from the bottom, then turn it over with the rolls underneath. Roll the tail edges until they meet and tuck the open end into the pocketed space. Pull the flaps down and open the pillar to reveal a rose shape. The Tree: Perfect for holiday celebrations, fold your square napkin in half twice to quarter its size. Position it in a diamond shape and fold each corner down in descending order. Flip over and fold into thirds.Turn the napkin back over. Flip the top flap up, then tuck the next flap under it to create rows of Christmas tree branches. Tuck the remaining layer under the napkin once you’ve reached the fourth row.
For the Square Fold, fold the napkin on the diagonal to make a triangle. Fold the two bottom corners to meet the top, creating the square. Turn the napkin over and fold up the bottom corner about halfway. Tuck under the left and right corners. For the Triangular Fold, fold one corner of your square napkin to the opposite corner. Face the open tip end of the triangle shape away from you. Take the right end and fold it up to meet the tip. Repeat on the left side. You should now have a diamond shape. Flip over and face the open end away from you. Fold downwards in half. Fold the napkin in half again along the center line, and you will have a standing triangle or ‘pyramid’ shape. For the Cone Fold, lay a square-shaped dinner napkin flat. Fold it evenly in half to form a rectangle. Fold in half again to form an even smaller square. Roll it in a skinny cone shape and tuck in the ends. For the Star, fold a square napkin into a diamond by bringing the four corners to the center, creating a diamond shape. Create a smaller square by folding the four corners of the diamond into the center. Flip the napkin over and fold the four corners in once again. This will create an even smaller diamond. Pull out the bottom fold of each corner of the diamond and pull the fabric outward. Repeat for all four corners to create a star-shaped flower. For the Pendant, fold your square napkin in half from left to right. Fold the top right corner into the middle and repeat with the left. This will form a triangular point at the top of the rectangle. Repeat the corner folds at the bottom of the bottom edge of the napkin. Fold the bottom point upwards and the top point downwards so they meet in the center. Flip the napkin over and fold the top left corner into the middle. Repeat with the left. Fold the bottom corners in the same fashion up towards the center of the napkin. Flip it over to face your ‘pendant’ design up. FAQ: What are the rules of napkin placement? Specific folds are meant to go on top of the plate setting. This is true of a bird in paradise fold or a fan fold. Others, such as pocket folds, will lie flat on the table. In these cases, they should be set to the left of your cutlery setting. What is the easiest way to fold a cloth napkin? Simply folding your napkin flat is the easiest way. It is also very simple to roll it up and secure with a napkin ring or tie. How do you properly set a table? Begin by placing the dinner plate in the center of the place setting. Then, place the fork to the left of the plate, followed by the knife to the right of the dinner plate. The spoon should be set to the right of the knife. Finally, place the water glass in the top right corner, above the knife.