How to beautifully fold paper and fabric napkins on a holiday table, diagrams

It is customary to prepare for ceremonial feasts in advance, carefully thinking through the menu, table setting, and decoration. The famous fashion designer D. Armani once said about. So, let’s understand the nuances of decor and learn how to beautifully fold paper and fabric napkins on a festive table. The schemes are simple and not very simple.

How to achieve spectacular design

For serving, use cloth and paper napkins. The first option is formal and solemn, but beautifully folded paper “fans” or “roses” look no worse. Napkins are available in various sizes and colors, so it’s easy to choose the right decor for a children’s party, New Year or anniversary.

What to pay attention to:

Consider the thickness of the paper napkins (one or several layers), the stability and rigidity of the completed compositions depends on this.
Before decorating, the fabric is thoroughly starched and ironed.
Choose a color scheme in advance so that the decor matches the dishes, tablecloths, and prepared dishes.
Napkins are not only decor, but also a hygiene item. Therefore, do not build an overly complex design so that guests do not have to destroy the composition. You can do it differently: put beautiful figures on the table for decoration, and put additional napkins on the table.
Practice composing figures in advance, make a supply of napkins so that in the last minutes of pre-holiday hassle, preparing the design does not take much effort and time.

Accessories

To make napkins a real highlight of the table setting, they can be decorated with original accessories. Accessories can be different: flowers, feathers, clips, rings. With the help of such decorative elements you can create an incredible composition. Use the following guidelines when selecting accessories.

You should not decorate the feast with artificial flowers. It looks cheap and unattractive. It is better to give preference to fresh flowers, even inexpensive ones. Chamomile, fragrant rose, delicate lily will help create an incredible atmosphere at the table.
Textile products can be personalized. This idea is relevant when organizing a wedding or birthday. Personalized napkins will be a very pleasant surprise. You can embroider names on the material yourself. For this purpose, contrasting threads are usually used. Another option is to put names out of rhinestones. This is a great party idea.
Rings are an exquisite accessory. It will become indispensable during a dinner party or an important business event. The advantage of rings is their durability. This accessory is made from durable raw materials. It can be stored in a closet at home, waiting for the right opportunity. Rings come in different sizes and colors. You need to choose a model based on the color of the tablecloth, the interior features of the room, and the table. Every detail of the decor should be in harmony with the serving. Special clamps can be an excellent alternative to rings. Clamps are made in different shapes and colors. They look quite elegant.
Satin ribbons. Bright satin ribbons go well with beautiful textiles. This is the easiest, most inexpensive way to decorate a table. You just need to tie napkins folded into an interesting shape with ribbons. Additionally, the ribbons can be decorated with rhinestones. They are simply glued to the surface using quick-drying glue.

Folding paper napkins

Paper napkins are affordable, varied in color and texture (smooth, with “pimples”), so they are ideal for creating simple compositions. On the table they are placed in napkin holders or a folded figure is placed on a plate in front of each person.

Fan styling

The simplest and most common way is to create a single or double fan in a napkin holder. Single-color paper blanks, as well as paper blanks selected in certain color variations, are suitable.

Fold regular napkins in half to make triangles.
Place the resulting figures in a stand, moving the outer corner by about 1-1.5 centimeters. It turns out to be a fan.
When laid from the center to the edges, the fan will be single.
When you place two rows in a napkin holder on different sides towards each other, you get a beautiful double fan.

Herringbone on the table

A composition in the form of a Christmas tree is a themed decor for New Year's feasts. It is not necessary to use only green paper; products in red, gold, and scarlet colors are suitable.

Place the folded paper square with the free corners facing up.
Bend each corner down one by one, retreating about a centimeter.
Carefully turn the bent square over.
Bend each edge towards the middle.
Turn it over again, getting a figure with corners.
Each corner is bent to form Christmas tree branches.
The top of the Christmas tree is decorated with a star cut out of foil.

The method is suitable for fabric napkins. But in this case, they bend the corners with a roller, getting a voluminous, lush Christmas tree.

When working with fabric, it is advisable to iron the folds to ensure rigidity of the composition.

Into the napkin holder

Beautiful decor on the holiday table is made from napkins folded like an accordion. Instead of a napkin holder, original coasters, cups, and vases will come in handy.

The paper is folded like an accordion, the step is 1-2 centimeters.
Carefully bend the stack of accordion-folded squares in half.
Place in the middle in a napkin holder.
The edges are straightened, resulting in a lush, beautiful fan.

For the composition choose plain or colored squares.

In the form of a rose

The design in the form of folded roses looks romantic.

A paper napkin folded four times is placed on the table.
Bend one edge about 1-2 centimeters.
Carefully wrap a napkin around your finger (from the side of the curved edge).
A wound cylinder of paper is obtained on the finger. This is the base of a rosebud.
The upper edge of the future bud is slightly compressed and twisted.
Remove the cylinder from your finger, and slightly “turn out” the folded edge of the napkin in the form of half-opened pink petals.
The rosebud is ready!

An alternative is to twist the base into a long “stick”, which will act as a rose stem.

In the form of a tie

Another option that will be appropriate not only for February 23, but also for other celebrations is table decor in the form of ties. This design will definitely be appreciated by the stronger sex.

The paper square folded in four layers is completely unfolded.
Bend one corner towards the middle by 1/3.
On the other side, bend another corner symmetrically, also by 1/3.
The result is a blank similar to a wide tie.
The workpiece is narrowed by once again bending the edges of the two corners towards the middle, obtaining a narrow tie.
The narrow part is bent perpendicularly to form a tie knot.
Wrap the tip of the workpiece on the reverse side, forming a tie knot.
Fix the folds and “hide” the tip. Turn over to the front side.
Place paper ties on plates.

On a note!

Such compositions are suitable for serving cutlery. A fork and knife are “packed” into ties.

In the form of a lily

The decoration in the form of a lily looks original. Fabric flowers turn out lush, but paper decor, with due diligence, will turn out just as good.

Lay out the square on the table.
Bend each corner in turn towards the center. The result is a smaller square.
Turn the square over.
Again, alternately bend the corners towards the center.
Lily petals are formed by lifting the corners and bending the bottom layer of the napkin down.
To fix the petals, temporarily place a cup, a glass, or a small glass in the center of the workpiece.
After the composition takes the required shape, the clamps are removed.

When using materials in contrasting colors, the decor becomes spectacular and bright.

Rules for using cutlery

In order for the evening to be amazing, each guest and family member must follow certain rules of behavior at the table. We are taught this from early childhood. The child is taught how to hold a fork and use a spoon correctly. However, few people explain the rules for using napkins. They also exist.

Do not wipe your mouth or hands with cloth. There are several reasons for this. One of the main ones is that stains from fatty foods will remain on such material. It doesn't look nice.

Napkins made of cotton, linen, or satin should be placed on your knees and tucked behind your collar. The choice will depend on the norms accepted in society.

The main purpose of fabric products is to protect guests' clothing. They will reliably protect your outfit from crumbs from the table and random stains.

You can only place a napkin on your lap after the owner of the house. This is the norm of etiquette. It is also not customary to start a meal without the hosts. If, after unrolling, the towel turns out to be too long, you can turn up one corner.

At the end of the meal, all cutlery must be left on the table. You can put a napkin near the plate. You should not leave it on a chair or directly on a platter.

Napkins in a ring

Interesting options for decorating a festive table are obtained by using rings. Rings can be taken ready-made or made with your own hands.

Bow

The napkin is laid flat with the wrong side down.
Bend it in half at an angle so that the fold is on the left.
The extreme corners are bent upward.
From the fold side, roll the fabric into a roller.
Bend the corner into a roller.
Fold the roller in half, pinching it in the middle.
Pull the fabric into the ring, then straighten it into a bow.

Victorian flower

Leaving the fold at the top, the square fabric is folded in half.
The upper right vertex is bent to the fold.
The double corner is bent from bottom to top.
The corners are folded on the other side in the same way.
A diamond folded in several layers is obtained.
The lower part is collected in the middle and placed in the ring.
The upper corners can be straightened in any position.

To make rings with your own hands, cut hard cylinders from under foil or cling film. Lace, gold or silver film, and textured string are suitable for decoration.

For the New Year's feast, they think through various accessories for serving, complementing the napkins with spruce branches, miniature balls, serpentine, and bright ribbons.

There is no need to start with complex, difficult-to-implement schemes. The above are fairly simple options, and if you show creativity and imagination, the results will definitely please you. And don’t forget that you can decorate and set the table stylishly not only for a holiday, but also for everyday lunches and dinners!

Selecting the color

The color palette of napkins has a great influence on the final decoration of the holiday. Therefore, you need to try and choose the optimal color. Green shades are associated with freshness, and it will also highlight the beauty of other tones.

This process is not only exciting, but also creative.

Plain textiles are ideal for lunch with business partners or a tea break. If the tablecloth is made in rich blue colors, then the table service should have light or white tones.

Decorating with cloth napkins is the most important point in the design process.

Light textiles are harmonious in any setting. When choosing bright colors, do not forget about the emotional state of the guests. Yellow and red will give you a joyful mood, green and blue will give you a business mood.

Napkins are considered not only an addition to add unusualness, but also hygiene products.

Note! White napkins and a colored tablecloth are the best option for quickly decorating a special event, welcoming guests and treating them to culinary masterpieces. It is considered a classic and will always be appropriate.

Varieties

Both linen and paper napkins are not the same in quality, color and size. Which products to choose depends on the specific case. A classic option for a formal formal dinner is white linen table linen. For an informal setting - cotton and satin products of any color that harmonizes with the tablecloth. Modern fabric napkins are made from mixed fabrics. They do not deform after drying, iron well, and do not shrink when washed.

Sometimes the use of paper napkins is allowed, but according to etiquette, fabric options are preferable.

The size of fabric napkins varies from 25 to 60 cm. Small square products with a side of 25, 30, 35 cm are suitable for decorating tea parties, buffets, coffee tables, and dessert tables. Large ones, with side lengths from 60 to 80 cm, are used to create complex shapes. Linen squares measuring 50 by 50 cm are universal. To create some shapes, you need rectangular napkins, but if there are none, then just fold the square in half.

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To beautifully fold fabric napkins for table setting, they need to be starched. Slightly damp starched items are ironed, allowed to cool, and then immediately used for decoration.

Table textiles cannot be starched in advance. During storage, creases form on it, which are very difficult to smooth out.

Thin paper napkins are used during dinner with the family. Multi-layered colored or white items are laid out on the festive table. They are left whole or cut into triangles.

Linen

Satin

Cotton

Paper napkins

Two words about the subtleties of serving

The principles of serving have been formed over many centuries. In aristocratic houses, things were sometimes used the purpose of which modern people are not even aware of. The use of one or another cookware, as well as cutlery and other elements, depends on many factors:

countries where the celebration takes place;
reasons for celebration;
age of hosts and guests;
taste and aesthetic preferences of the hostess and guests.

Important!

A classic Italian dinner differs from Russian or English not only in what is on the plates, but also in the presentation of the dishes. Chinese and Japanese traditions, although they have found many adherents in different countries of the world, are still very different from European ones.

Christmas tree for New Year

Napkins folded in the shape of a Christmas tree will be a good addition to decorating the New Year's table.

The napkin needs to be folded in half into a rectangle, with each corner folded towards the center of the product. The resulting bevels are also folded towards the center to form a square.
The product is turned over and folded in the same way on this side.
The upper left corner is folded diagonally and hidden on the opposite side of the square. Do the same with the bottom corner, you should get an equilateral triangle. It is then folded in half.
Take another napkin and fold it in the same way, and then connect both products. It turns out to be a Christmas tree.

Beautiful lily

It is recommended to use light-colored fabric napkins, which will make the lily even more beautiful.

It is necessary to fold the fabric napkin diagonally, with the fold at the bottom.
The right and left corners are folded to the top vertex.
The product is folded horizontally in half.
Turn away the top of the triangle and make the corners of the lily.