Folding square napkins into simple shapes is easier than folding paper because the folds don’t have to be as exact as in traditional origami. Children who are as young as seven and who may have difficulty making sharp creases when folding paper will find fabric napkins easier to work with. Learning a few napkin folds is a fun and useful activity that allows children to add an elegant look to special occasion dinner tables.
In Napkin Folds by Irena Chalmers (Irena Chalmers Cookbooks, 1982), she suggests using cloth napkins for these folds. Newer napkins have more body to the fabric and will hold the folds better. Older napkins may have to be ironed and starched before working with them. Solid colors look neater for many of these folds since patterned napkins tend to have the design printed on one side of the fabric and both sides often show in the finished shape.
The Magic Wand Napkin Fold
Lay the napkin flat and fold all four corners to the center. Fold the napkin in half and then in half again (creating a square). Fold the square in thirds so two opposing corners overlap in the center of the square. Fold the napkin in half and slip through a napkin ring. Turn down the first flap at the top.
The Pyramid Napkin Fold
Fold the napkin in half and then in half again to create a square. Fold the square shape in half diagonally. Bend the napkin in the middle and stand it upright.
The Swirl Napkin Fold
Try this presentation if wine glasses will be on the table. Lay the napkin flat and start rolling the napkin from one corner to the other. Bend the napkin in the middle and set it in the glass.
Fold a Fabric Candle
Fold the napkin in half diagonally. Turn up the long folded edge about one inch. Flip the napkin over. Start at one corner and roll the napkin to the other corner. Tuck the end corner into the bottom of the roll. Stand the candle upright.
Fold a Fabric Napkin Into a Fan
Try this napkin fold if short juice glasses or wine glasses will be on the table. Fold the napkin in half. Pleat the napkin in approximately one-inch accordion pleats from one short end to the other. Set one end into a glass and allow the other end to open.
Fold a Napkin Into a Cone
Fold the napkin in half. Roll the folded napkin into a cone by angling one corner up slightly and rolling into a spiral. Turn the bottom point up and then fold the bottom of the cone up to form a cuff. Stand the cone upright with the widest, cuffed, portion at the bottom.
Fold a Napkin Sailboat
Fold the napkin in half diagonally once and then again, creating a triangle with four layers of fabric. Fold the bottom edge up by one-inch two times. (The bottom edge is the edge that is open with no folds.) Flip the napkin over. Lift the corners of the bottom edge and fold the flaps into each other. Stand the napkin upright.
Folding fabric requires less exactness and is more forgiving than folding paper, as in origami. Children can fold square fabric napkins into simple, decorative shapes that will add a festive touch to birthday, holiday, and any special occasion table.
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