Every housewife wants to surprise her guests not only with delicious dishes, but also with beautiful table settings. One way to give the table a festive look is to fold napkins in an original way. For friends and family, you can use paper napkins for serving. But if you are planning a dinner party or formal event, it is better to purchase textile products.
Typically, napkins are folded into a triangle and placed next to the plate. But this method is not original. If you want to grab your guests' attention, it's best to get creative with napkin folding. In this article you will learn how to fold napkins for table setting.
How to make a cutlery envelope from a paper napkin:
1 option (accommodates 3 devices)
Unfold the napkin into a diamond shape, face down.
Fold it in half diagonally, connecting the bottom corner of the shape to the top.
Bend the left side of the resulting isosceles triangle towards the right strictly along the fold line, not reaching the angle of about five centimeters.
Now fold the right side towards the left.
Tuck the corner that extends beyond the figure under it. The cutlery envelope is ready.
Option 2 (accommodates from 3 to 5 devices)
Turn the napkin inside out and fold it in four so that all the free corners (where there are no folds) are in the upper right corner.
Fold the top corner of the first layer of napkin toward the bottom left corner (that is, fold it diagonally).
Bend the second layer of the napkin in the same direction, but do not bring it to the previous corner by one and a half centimeters.
Hide it in the pocket formed by the first fold.
Bend the third layer of the napkin and wrap it under the second one.
Turn the entire structure over to the reverse side.
Fold the left side to the center of the napkin first, then the right.
Turn the resulting figure over to the other side again - the envelope is ready.
Option 3 (suitable for 2 or 3 devices)
Fold the napkin in half (clearly in half) with the fold down.
Fold back the top of the outer layer of the napkin by 1.5 cm.
And again by 1.5 cm.
Turn the workpiece 180 degrees towards you so that it is upside down on the other side.
Take the top corner of the right side of the workpiece and bend it towards the middle of the rectangular shape (you will get a rectangular trapezoid).
Fold again towards the center line.
Do the same with the left side of the workpiece.
Expand the resulting figure with an acute angle upward - you have an envelope for 2 devices.
And if you turn it over to the other side, then you can put 3 devices in such an envelope.
Choose the option you like best for folding a napkin into an envelope and serve the holiday table with them.
Good luck!
How to fold beautifully with your own hands: step-by-step description
Modern housewives very often use linen napkins or paper products to stylishly decorate cutlery. The most convenient and attractive option is an envelope. It is ideal for packaging your fork, knife and spoon beautifully and elegantly.
Do not forget that the napkin cannot remain untouched according to the rules of etiquette. ? Therefore, when you enjoy the beauty of the table setting, you should be sure to use the napkin for its intended purpose.
The main stages of creating an envelope:
- First, fold the napkin in half, with the front side facing inside. You need to leave a bend at the bottom.
- Next, you should fold the napkin in half again. It is necessary to bend one layer of material so that the resulting corner is located at the bottom left.
- Then you need to do the same action with the second layer of material, while the corner should be in contact with the central fold.
- The first corner must also be folded, but only from the bottom, and at the same time it must be in contact with the second corner, but along the line of the central fold.
- Now all that remains is to bend the corners back, namely: the lower right and upper left, and then put a fork, knife and spoon in such a pocket.
Another way to create a fabric serving envelope that not only looks unusual and attractive, but is also ideal for decorating an outdoor banquet. To do this, you need to do the following:
- It is necessary to wrap the fourth part of the product in the middle on the left side.
- Next, fold the napkin in half.
- Then you need to bend the lower part back.
- The figure should be turned diagonally, with the open side facing up.
- The corners on the left and right must be folded into the middle (back).
A properly placed fabric napkin will allow you to elegantly decorate your fork. To begin with, you should fold it diagonally, then bend its lower edge by 2 cm and make several folds, which must be pulled through the tines of a fork. After this, the decorated cutlery can be placed on or near the plate.
A heart-shaped napkin looks bright and stylish. To create such a decoration, you must adhere to the following scheme:
- The napkin needs to be folded lengthwise so that its sides are located in the middle, and then folded in such a way as to hide all the edges.
- Then you need to bend the two ends of the resulting rectangle at an angle of 90 degrees, while the remaining free parts must be identical in size. To form roundness, the corners located at the top should be carefully folded inward.
The decorative pillow with ears looks original. To create it you must perform the following steps:
- It is necessary to place the napkin in the form of a square on a flat surface, and then roll it diagonally.
- One of the sides should be rolled into a tube, and then the free edges should be folded towards the middle, while they should only stick out two or three centimeters.
- All that remains is to turn the product over and make the ears.
- Various cutlery looks beautiful on such a cushion.
Another popular way to create an attractive napkin for convenient and beautiful placement of cutlery is a frame:
- The napkin should be folded in half so that the ends of the product are connected to each other along the center line.
- Next, the product must be turned over and this same action repeated again, but using only the short sides.
- The corners must be bent outward to form a frame.
To make an oblique envelope, just perform a few simple steps:
- You need to take a square napkin and fold it twice, without losing its original shape.
- The top few layers need to be folded diagonally, while the sides located on the sides need to be folded inward.
An envelope with a border is a bright option for creating an elegant dining table. To create such an envelope you should:
- Place the product on a flat surface.
- Raise the bottom of the napkin to the middle, and then bend two or three centimeters to create a border.
- Turn the product over, and then bend the upper part towards the middle.
- Place the sides on top of each other, and then repeat the flip of the product.
Many people are attracted by a napkin in the shape of a torch. To try wrapping cutlery in such a beautiful and original way, you will need:
- Fold the napkin twice, resulting in a square.
- The top layer of the product needs to be rolled into a tube, but only to the middle.
- The corners on the sides must be turned inward.
Candle
Start with a simple pattern that doesn't require time or skill. Wrap the napkin in a tube (for convenience, you can wrap it around a pencil and then remove it) and place it in a glass or glass. Appropriate decoration for a home evening, New Year's party, dinner with your loved one. It's quick, easy, and sophisticated, so your guests don't have to guess how to unwrap. By the way, if you arrange a master class for children, they will then be happy to take on this function.
Historical facts
- In Ancient Greece three thousand years ago, fig leaves served as napkins. And even they were available only to the nobility.
- A thousand years later, the first linen napkins appeared in the same country, the size of a small tablecloth.
- It was only in the 15th century that this item became a ubiquitous component of meals. For everyday meals, simply paper was used, but for special occasions, painted cloth napkins were offered. They were made of expensive material and decorated with beautiful images.
- In the Russian Empire, this prop appeared during the reign of Peter the Great.
- Japan (early 20th century) is considered the birthplace of the traditional napkin pattern. The craftsmen used a special method to soften the paper, then separate it into fairly thin sheets, and then put it back together and dry it.
Napkins are a kind of indicator of the rules of etiquette. This accessory should be given special attention.
The emphasis is on the material (size, texture, density), the combination of colors with the tablecloth and dishes, and the form of presentation. The specific moment of their use plays a significant role in choosing napkins, i.e. table theme.
Christmas tree
Coniferous tree is a companion of New Year and Christmas. Christmas trees made from napkins will look beautiful on the table; they are not difficult to make. This option is also suitable for children’s birthdays celebrated in winter. Place the Christmas trees on plates, and on top you can put a bow or star-shaped cookies on top for decoration.
Beautifully fold napkins in different ways
There is such an anecdote: a client in a restaurant asks why the napkins are greasy, and the waiter says, I’m sorry, but you don’t need to wipe yourself with pancakes.
It's funny, but once upon a time thin, low-fat pancakes like lavash were actually used as napkins. For the same purpose, fig leaves, rice paper, clothing sleeves, and even the hair of court boys were used at different times.
The first fabric napkins appeared among the ancient Romans. Large rectangular cloths protected the bed from contamination (the patricians ate their meals lying down), and they also blotted their lips and hands.
In Russia, the nobility was encouraged to use these hygiene products by the decree of Peter the Great; since then it was forbidden to wipe with a sleeve or tablecloth. The paper napkins familiar to us were patented in the 19th century, and their in-line production began only in the 70s of the last century.
Today, when setting a banquet table, cloth and paper napkins are used. The first ones are designed to protect clothes from contamination; wiping oily hands or lips with them is now not accepted. Although it is correct to blot your lips with a cloth after drinking or touch it with slightly dirty fingers.
To create a festive mood and surprise guests, square napkins can be wrapped and twirled into the most incredible shapes. After washing, the fabric needs to be starched - this way it holds its shape better.
Adviсe
- You can also use paper napkins for this. In this case, unfold the napkin completely, forming a large square, then follow the same steps, otherwise the napkin may be too small to wrap the cutlery in it. Be careful not to tear the napkin.
- You can use anything to knit a roll of napkin. If you're having an outdoor party, you can use string or a long stem of grass. If there are little girls at the party, tie the napkin into bracelets that they can then take as a gift. Or you can refuse any binding at all.
Beautiful examples and options
When decorating a table, the design of a napkin plays a huge role, because it can become an exquisite decoration or even a real work of art.
Often, restaurants use already decorated napkins so that waiters can very quickly decorate a table for the required number of people. Customers always like the attractive presentation of food and cutlery.
The classic solution for folding a fabric napkin is a “diagonal sachet”, which outwardly has much in common with an envelope. This option includes separate pockets for each cutlery. You should unfold the napkin and fold it exactly in half, while performing these actions vertically, and then also diagonally. The result is a square, the upper right corner of which needs to be bent and then moved to the lower left corner.
Similar actions should be done several more times, forming the required number of pockets.
Remember that each edge of the fabric should be located under the previous layer of napkin, which is already wrapped.
After this, the resulting figure must be folded in half: first perform actions on the left side, and then on the right. Diagonal pockets must be placed at the top.
Arranging cutlery
Cutlery should be 10mm apart from each other and the plate.
• The fork is on the left and the knife is on the right, as is the spoon. • The fork should be with its teeth up and the knife with the blade facing the plate. • If there are more than three dishes on the menu, then you do not need to lay out all the cutlery; they should be taken out when needed. • With the plate there should be a fork and a knife, after them for fish, then a knife and fork for various salads. • A spoon can be placed instead of a fish fork.
Folding pattern:
- Place the napkin with the open edge on top;
- Fold several layers from the bottom;
- Turn the product over;
- Attach the sides offset to the center;
- Place them overlapping;
- Smooth the edges well with your hand;
- Turn the folded material over.
From the front, the design looks like a nice little pocket that can accommodate a spoon, fork, or knife. To create such a figure you will need fairly high density paper. As an option, use a cloth napkin.
An official meeting will definitely bring success if all the details are thought out in advance and various nuances are provided for. In such a technique, it is important to maintain clarity and harmony in everything. At such events, paper napkins (no matter how beautifully they are folded) can reduce the rating of the entire procedure.
It’s a completely different matter if there is a children’s party, a fun summer party or a meeting of friends. This article will suggest and show examples of beautifully folded paper napkins for such holiday tables.
New Year's ideas
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Fairytale bird
For such a figurine, you should choose napkins of bright colors and with different patterns.
Sequencing:
You need to lay out the attributes from the tail:
- Fold two parallel corners;
- Fold the napkin in half;
- The resulting trapezoid is one part of the entire tail.
Produce several components in the same way.
The next step is to form the head and neck of the bird:
- Fold the napkin into a flat tube.
- Bend the top slightly to create a head.
Place all received parts in the napkin holder.
The composition - a fairy-tale bird will be an excellent decor for decorating a festive table at a children's party. Adults will also be pleased with this layout.
At a romantic evening, the presence of flowers, candles and other accessories is mandatory. Since napkins are an integral attribute on the table, you need to learn how to fold them beautifully.
- To do this, you will need thick paper in pastel shades when the entire environment is decorated in similar colors.
- If desired, it is possible to choose a different color of the color scheme, the main thing is a harmonious combination with the interior, tablecloth, and dishes.
- A master class will be a great help for beginners; after viewing it, it will be easy to understand how to beautifully fold a paper napkin.