It is not so much the dishes that raise the mood, but the original design of the dining table. Since ancient times, techniques and methods of folding paper and fabric napkins have been actively used. When setting the table, they are given much attention as a source of coziness and decoration.

napkins for serving
Beautiful table setting is an integral part of any festive feast.

Rules for folding cloth and paper napkins

Before you arrange hygiene items, you should remember that their main role is not to add extra charm to the table, but to comply with hygiene rules for receiving guests and basic etiquette.

napkins for table setting
Even the most ordinary napkins will help to emphasize the joyful atmosphere.

Please note! When decorating the table, use paper and fabric handkerchiefs, preferably square. The former are needed to wipe your hands and mouth. The latter are placed on your knees to avoid staining your clothes.

napkins for table setting
If you fold napkins in a special way, you can turn even an ordinary family meal into a real celebration.

The most common table decoration option is folding handkerchiefs using the origami technique, which is translated from Japanese as "folded paper." In this case, the technique is suitable not only for paper handkerchiefs, but also for fabric ones.

napkins for serving
Originally folded napkins add additional charm to table setting.

Another way to present the aesthetics of the event organizer is to put them in a napkin holder with an interesting pattern or in special clips. These accessories will look no worse than folded figures.

napkins for table setting
It can appear before you as chic, big, small, brightly colored or elegantly snow-white.

Please note! In order for the fabric to keep its shape, it is necessary to treat it with starch 2-3 days before the celebration. This procedure will make the fabric rigid, and the figure will not fall apart.

Before you start forming the figures, you need to consider the following rules:

  1. The size of the material is not less than 50:50 cm.

    napkins for serving
    A linen or paper napkin has a basic purpose that has been in place for centuries – to protect your clothes from stains.
  2. When folding using the origami technique, the figure itself should correspond to the age of the guests. If a group of different ages has gathered, you can use several techniques or methods of folding paper and fabric napkins.

    napkins for serving
    Unusual folding methods will help you to decorate your table effectively.
  3. According to etiquette, the color scheme should match the tone of the dishes and tablecloth on the festive table. Otherwise, it will be tasteless.

    table setting ideas
    You need to buy and place them according to certain rules.
  4. The figure should turn without strain or effort.

    table setting decor ideas
    To fold a napkin in an original way, you should choose its size correctly.
  5. Placement of hygiene items close to guests.
serving napkins
Large-sized items are the ideal option. They look better on the table and can easily be transformed into unusual figures.

Common ways to fold napkins

Among the many technologies for forming scarves, the following figures stand out:

  • "tulip";
  • "tube";
  • "train";
  • "harmonic";
  • "heart";
  • "lily";
  • "cradle";
  • "French envelope";
  • "megaphone";
  • "southern cross";
  • "junk";
  • "handbag";
  • "artichoke";
  • "sea urchin";
  • "Everest";
  • "handbag";
  • "Asian fan".

Tulip folding pattern

Bud diagram:

  1. The square scarf is folded in half to the right, then down again.
  2. The upper corner on the right side is folded back and placed on the lower left sharp edge.
  3. The flower element is turned over and the two bottom corners are folded towards the top along the axis line.
Tulip napkin
The color of the table linen should match the color of the tablecloth.

Stem diagram:

  • The material of a different color is folded into a triangle.
  • The corner on the right side bends towards the left.
  • The lower sharp edge is folded diagonally upwards to the middle.
  • Repeat the last action again.
  • Next, you need to attach the two flower elements to each other. The tulip is ready.
napkin tulip ideas
The color scheme should be selected taking into account the interior features of the room.

Folding form "Train"

  1. The scarf is folded into a triangle.
  2. The sharp edges on the right and left sides coincide with the top of the figure.
  3. Next you need to fold it in half along the fold line.
  4. The figure is turned upright. The right corner is inserted into the left one.
  5. The remaining edges at the top are folded down. The “Train” shape is ready.
napkin train
Textile items must be prepared before the feast. They should be washed and ironed thoroughly.

The Lily folding technique

  1. The source material is folded into a triangle.
  2. Two opposite angles are connected to the apex of the triangle.
  3. The napkin is folded in half along the horizontal plane.
  4. The triangle at the top is bent downwards.
napkins for table setting photo
Napkins should be placed to the left of the cutlery, directly on the plate.

The Megaphone Method

  1. Fold in half.
  2. Repeat the procedure until a rectangular shape is formed.
  3. Two opposite sides are folded downwards symmetrically.
  4. The folded sides are used to form “cones”.
  5. The bags touch each other. The three-dimensional "Megaphone" is ready.
napkin megaphone
In shops and markets, textile products of different sizes, types, and price categories are sold for table setting.

"Southern Cross"

  1. All sharp edges are folded towards the central point of the napkin.
  2. The figure is turned over with the curved edges facing down.
  3. The corners fold towards the central point of the square.
  4. The napkin is turned over to the other side.
  5. 4 edges are folded towards the center.
  6. Holding the figure with your hands, each concave side is carefully pulled outward until a cross is formed.
napkin southern cross
It will be more effective to make cute napkins with your own hands. It is quite easy to do.

"Junk"

  1. The scarf is folded in half to form a rectangle.
  2. The action is repeated.
  3. The bottom edge of the future figure is folded upward diagonally.
  4. The right and left corners are folded forward.
  5. The protruding sharp edges are bent back.
  6. The "sails" are formed by pulling out the corners hidden inside. The "junk" is ready.
napkin junk
The fabric should be light, dense, and wear-resistant.

"Handbag"

  1. The napkin is folded in half.
  2. The bottom side of the rectangle is superimposed on the top.
  3. The two edges of the top corner are folded inward to the middle.
  4. The top right corner is folded towards the center.
  5. The triangle folds down just below halfway.
  6. The opposite edges at the top are folded towards the center.
  7. The resulting triangle is folded toward the main figure, forming an envelope. The "bag" is ready.
napkin handbag
The fabric should be purchased taking into account the required quantity of finished products.

"Artichoke"

  1. 4 sharp edges of the material bend towards a central point.
  2. The action is repeated.
  3. The square is turned over with the folded edges facing down.
  4. On the new side, you also need to bend the corners towards the middle.
  5. The inner edges are gently pulled outward.
  6. The same is done on the other side. The "artichoke" is ready.
artichoke napkin
Nowadays it is fashionable to fold them into various figures, flowers, and other unusual shapes.

"Sea urchin"

  1. The scarf is folded into six strips using the accordion technique.
  2. The top edge on the right side is folded inward.
  3. Repeat the action with the remaining bottom edges.
  4. The corners of the right edge are folded in the same way.
  5. The central part of the figure bends from left to right.
  6. The half of the folded middle must be folded to the left side.
  7. The last two points are done with the right edge.
  8. The top corners should be lifted. The "sea urchin" is ready.
napkin sea urchin
To make napkins a real highlight of your table setting, you can decorate them with original accessories.

"Everest"

  1. The left side of the napkin is placed on the right side.
  2. The top edge is folded towards the bottom corner.
  3. Place the upper left corner on the lower right edge.
  4. Two sharp edges of the triangle bend towards the top.
  5. The figure unfolds and the edges fold to the sides as support. "Everest" is ready.
napkin everest
You shouldn't decorate the table with artificial flowers.

"Asian Fan"

  1. The scarf is conditionally divided into 4 parts.
  2. The fourth part of the top is folded down.
  3. It is turned over and the third part is folded from the bottom up.
  4. The napkin is folded in half.
  5. Fold the accordion shape from 5 strips.
  6. Pull out parts 4 and 3 from the depth of the napkin and secure.
  7. Open the fan shape. The "Asian Fan" is ready.
Asian Fan
Artificial flowers look cheap and unattractive.

Based on the information received, we learned new types and methods of folding paper or fabric napkins. The technology for decorating a hygiene item is easy to perform for children and adults.

napkins for table setting
It is better to give preference to fresh flowers, even if they are inexpensive.

To add bright colors and a cheerful mood to the table, you can make figures from patterned or multi-colored napkins.

napkins for table setting
The presence of original napkin holders or regular clips will not spoil the appearance.

In order to present the creative creativity of the host of the feast, you can develop your own technology for folding paper and fabric napkins.

napkins for table setting
Ready-made napkins will decorate any table in everyday life and at any celebration.

VIDEO: How to beautifully fold napkins for table setting.

50 Napkin Folding Options for Table Setting: