An elegantly folded napkin adds class to any table. Napkin folding is a long tradition used in both restaurants and families. It's simple, elegant, and easy to learn. The following instructions will show you four different ways to fold a napkin.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Fan-shaped
Step 1. Fold the napkin in half to form a long rectangle
Step 2. Beginning with the shorter side, fold the napkin accordion-style
Step 3. Insert the napkin into the glass with the bottom folded up
Fan out the top.
Method 2 of 4: A Pyramid
Step 1. Place the spread napkin in front of you
If the napkin goes limp easily, try ironing it with starch to harden it a little.
Step 2. Fold the napkin diagonally
Turn the napkin so that the corner is facing you.
Step 3. Join the right corner with the bottom one
Make sure this fold creates a sharp center line in the middle of the napkin.
Step 4. Join the left corner with the bottom one like the previous step but in reverse
At this point the napkin should be in the shape of a diamond.
Step 5. Turn the napkin over so that the smooth (no folds) side is facing up
Step 6. Fold the napkin again bringing the top corner down, creating a triangle
The tip of the triangle must point down.
Step 7. Fold the napkin along the center crease, from right to left
Step 8. Pull it up like a curtain
Use a little starch if the napkin goes limp.
Method 3 of 4: The Bishop's Hat
Step 1. Place the spread napkin in front of you
If the napkin goes limp easily, try ironing it with a little starch to stiffen it.
Step 2. Fold the napkin in half by joining the top to the bottom
At this point you should have a rectangle.
Step 3. Fold the right corner down to the middle of the napkin
Step 4. Bring the lower left corner up in the middle of the napkin
You should now have a parallelogram.
Step 5. Turn the napkin over and place it horizontally, as in the photo
Step 6. Fold the napkin in half horizontally by lifting the bottom up
The outlines should all be aligned, leaving a small triangle at the bottom left uncovered.
Step 7. Bring out the tip of the right triangle so that it forms another triangle with the right one
Step 8. Fold the left triangle in half vertically by taking the left corner and tucking it under the right triangle
The left triangle is now folded in half, vertically.
Step 9. Turn the napkin over so that the two tips are facing up
Step 10. Fold the corner of the right triangle towards the center inserting it into the crease of the left triangle
At this point the napkin should be perfectly symmetrical again.
Step 11. Open the base of the napkin by spreading the center folds to form the circular base of the bishop's hat
Step 12. Finished
Method 4 of 4: A Cutlery Pocket
Step 1. Place the napkin in front of you
Step 2. Fold the napkin in half by joining the top to the bottom
At this point you should have a rectangle.