Napkin Folding Guide

"How to fold the folds that hold"

The Candle Fold

The Candle

  1. Fold napkin in half diagonally
  2. Fold down base 1/3 way
  3. Turn napkin over and roll from bottom to top
  4. Tuck corners inside cuff at base of fold and stand
  5. Turn one layer of point down and set on base

 
Bird of Paradise Fold

Bird of Paradise

  1. Fold napkin in half and in half again
  2. Then fold in half diagonally with points on the top and facing up
  3. Fold left and right sides down along center line, turning their extended points under
  4. Fold in half on long dimension with edges facing out
  5. Pull up points and arrange on a fabric surface

 
The Rose Fold

The Rose

  1. Fold all 4 corners of open napkin to center
  2. Fold new corners to center
  3. Turn napkin over and fold all four corners to center
  4. Holding center firmly, reach under each corner and pull up flaps to form petals.
  5. Reach between petals and pull flaps from underneath

 
The Goblet Fan Fold

The Goblet Fan

  1. Fold napkin in half
  2. Pleat from bottom to top
  3. Turn napkin back 1/3 of the way on right (folded) end and place into goblet
  4. Spread out pleats at top

 
Rosebud Fold

Rosebud

  1. Fold napkin in half diagonally
  2. Fold corners to meet at top point
  3. Turn napkin over and fold bottom 2/3 way up
  4. Turn napkin around and bring corners together, tucking one into the other
  5. Turn napkin around and stand on base

 
Lady Windemere’s Fan Fold

Lady Windemere’s Fan

  1. Fold napkin in half
  2. Starting at bottom, accordion pleat 2/3 way up
  3. Fold in half with pleating on the outside
  4. Fold upper right corner diagonally down to folded base of pleats and turn under edge
  5. Place on table and release pleats to form fan

 
Clown’s Hat Fold

Clown’s Hat

  1. Fold napkin in half bringing bottom to top
  2. Holding center of bottom with finger, take lower right corner and loosely roll around center
  3. Matching corners, until cone is formed
  4. Turn napkin upside down, then turn up hem all around. Turn and stand on base

 
The Cardinal’s Hat Fold

The Cardinal’s Hat

  1. Fold napkin in half diagonally
  2. Fold corners to meet at top point
  3. Turn napkin over with points to the top, fold lower corner 2/3 way up
  4. Fold back onto itself
  5. Bring corners together tucking one into the other. Open base of fold and stand upright>

 
Pyramid Fold

Pyramid

  1. Fold napkin in half diagonally
  2. Fold corners to meet at top point
  3. Turn napkin over and fold in half
  4. Pick up at center and stand on base of triangle

 
The Arum Lily Fold

The Arum Lily

  1. Fold napkin in half bringing bottom to top
  2. Fold corners to top
  3. Fold bottom up to 1" below top
  4. Fold point back onto itself
  5. Fold each of the points at top down and tuck under edge of folded up bottom and fold down one layer of top point and tuck under base fold
  6. Turn napkin over and tuck left and right sides into each other
  7. Open base and stand

 
The Crown Fold

The Crown

  1. Fold napkin in half diagonally
  2. Fold corners to meet at top point
  3. Fold bottom point 2/3 way to top and fold back onto itself
  4. Turn napkin over bringing corners together, tucking one into the other
  5. Peel two top corners to make crown. Open base of fold and stand upright

 
Bishop’s Mitre Fold

Bishop’s Mitre

  1. Fold napkin bringing top to bottom
  2. Fold corner's to center line
  3. Turn napkin over and rotate 1/4 turn
  4. Fold bottom edge up to top edge and flip point out from under top fold
  5. Turn left end into pleat at left forming a point on left side
  6. Turn napkin over and turn right end into pleat forming a point on right side.
  7. Open base and stand upright