What differentiates a common meal from a special event? The menu, of course, and the care with which the table is set, right? After choosing the crockery and placing the cutlery, the napkins neatly folded and placed at the table is what will reveal the elegance of the event.
From French garde-nappe, the napkin is the well-known piece of cloth or paper used at the table, whose main function is to clean the lips and fingers of diners, in addition to protecting clothes from splashes of sauce. In everyday meals, or in more informal restaurants and cafeterias, napkins are usually made of paper.
But, when we go to a chic establishment or a more refined event, like a wedding, we soon notice the difference in the way the table is presented. Notice how many restaurants use the traditional white napkin carefully folded to make the tables more attractive.
You have certainly seen beautiful tables with colored or patterned napkins instead of white, but in this case, the decor should be thought of as a whole. The colored napkins “talk” with the tablecloth, the crockery, the flowers or the rest of the decoration. When in doubt, do a test: arrange a corner of the table with the glasses, flowers, suplats and napkins, and see if the pieces harmonize with each other.
Regardless of the aesthetics of the table, the most important thing is that the napkins are impeccable: clean, well ironed, very well folded and well positioned in their places. Since there is no rule on how to fold napkins, we are often in doubt about how to do it and go crazy for help.
Thinking about it, today’s tips are for those who are organizing a special dinner or lunch and would like to decorate the table with napkins folded in a beautiful, functional and hassle free way. Is it your case? So follow what’s coming!
How to fold napkins according to the event
In more informal events, such as children’s birthday parties or barbecues, you can use paper napkins, but that does not mean that they do not deserve a good presentation. No putting them on the table in the packaging! A charming way to fold them on the plate or a beautiful napkin holder makes all the difference, even on everyday tables.
The most elegant and formal events, such as dinners, wedding parties and graduations, ask for tables with fabric napkins. But nothing to just put them on the plate, carelessly. There are several napkin folds that make the table presentation beautiful, according to the event, and that you can easily reproduce on that special date.
Ah, a very important tip! Before handling napkins, which must be perfectly clean and ironed – or any tableware, clean your hands with gel alcohol and secure your hair.
Want to know some practical tips on how to fold napkins and delight your guests? So, follow the tutorials that we set aside for you and get inspired!
1. How to fold napkin in a triangle
This is the easiest way to fold a fabric napkin, but the result is still elegant.
Step by step:
- Join the two ends of the napkin in a triangle;
- Join the two equal-angle ends of the triangle to form a smaller triangle.
Simple, right? With just two folds, the most traditional folding of napkins, which we have seen in restaurants, on the plates is ready.
2. How to fold a napkin with a ring
This is a very simple way to fold a fabric napkin, but it makes a big impression on a beautiful table, especially at weddings.
The charm is due to the ring, or napkin holder made of fabric. They can be made with artificial flowers, shiny stones, metals and even rustic materials, such as bamboo. The important thing is to combine them with the rest of the table decoration.
Step by step:
- Open the fabric on a flat surface;
- Place the ring in the center of the napkin;
- Pull the fabric through the ring;
- Arrange the folds that will naturally form;
- Adjust the tips to leave on top of the dish in a charming and beautiful way.
3. How to fold fabric napkins: cutlery pouch
In this type of folding, the cutlery is placed inside the napkin, so that the table is more organized. But you can also use the opening to place other items, like the party menu.
Step by step:
- Place the open napkin face up;
- Fold in half and then fold again to form a smaller square;
- With the side folded down, take half and find it up to the top, fitting it into the fold that forms behind;
- Fold the two sides of the fold down, leaving only a rectangle.
4. How to fold the napkin and end it with a ring
Although this fold has a finish similar to the ring, the initial process is different. Choose a square napkin, around 40 cm², and a ring that matches the occasion.
Step by step:
- Fold the napkin in half forming a triangle;
- Fold the left end in half, forming another smaller triangle;
- This time fold the right end, forming the third and last triangle;
- One ends of the right and left, through them, so that the fold is in a shape similar to a tie;
- Insert the ring and position it approximately in the middle of the napkin.
5. How to fold a rose-shaped napkin
This is a very delicate fold, which impresses with the ease of the technique. The table is even more beautiful if you bet on napkins of cheerful tones, such as those of the flower. This style is ideal for more romantic events, such as weddings, Valentine’s Day or even Mother’s Day.
Step by step:
- Join two ends of the napkin, forming a triangle;
- Roll the base of the triangle vertically up to approximately half, leaving a small triangle at the top;
- Roll from one end to the other, this time horizontally, leaving a small part free;
- Attach the spare end to one of the folds that have formed using, if necessary, a spatula, or the handle of a spoon.
- Support the part of the flower on the surface where the fold is being made;
- Take the two tips that have formed and open, forming the largest petals of the flower.
6. How to fold a heart shaped napkin
In addition to being beautiful, a table decorated with heart-shaped napkins is super-romantic. Bet on napkins in shades of red and observe how the guests will feel the affection with which they are received.
- Fold a part of the napkin halfway and the other two ends, forming two rectangles that join in the middle;
- Fold one part over the other forming a single rectangle;
- Fix one finger on the top, marking the middle of the napkin;
- Take the left part of the fold down and do the same with the other side then, always respecting the point marked in the middle;
- Rotate the napkin so that the tip formed is facing you;
- Straighten the ends of the folds so that they form the top of a heart.
How about our tips on how to fold napkins in beautiful and elegant ways?
Certainly your guests will feel the affection with which they are received and your event will be much more special. Do you also have any tricks on how to fold napkins and make beautiful tables? What is your favorite folding? Comment here!
