How to Fold a Napkin

Four Methods:Goblet FanPyramidBishop's HatBasic Silverware Pouch

Add a little flair to any dinner with elegant napkin folds. Folding napkins is a time-honored tradition used in restaurants and homes alike. It's simple, classy, and easy to master. Read on for several different instructions on how to fold a napkin.

Method 1
Goblet Fan

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    Fold the napkin in half to form a long rectangle.
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    Starting at one short end, fold the napkin like an accordion all the way to the opposite end.
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    Holding one folded end, place it into your drinking glass. Let the napkin fan over the top of the glass.

Method 2
Pyramid

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    Lay the napkin out in front of you. If your napkin flops down easily, ironing it with a little bit of light starch should help this process.
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    Fold the napkin across diagonally. Turn the folded napkin so that the tip of the napkin is facing directly in front of you.
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    Fold the right corner down to meet the tip of the napkin. Make sure that this fold creates a clean center line in the middle of the napkin.
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    Fold the left corner down to meet the tip of the napkin, mirroring the last step. The napkin should now look like a diamond.
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    Turn the napkin over, keeping the open end of the napkin away from you.
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    Fold the farthest point of the diamond back over itself, creating a triangle. The tip of the triangle should be pointing down.
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    Fold the napkin along the center seam, right to left.
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    Prop it up like a tent. If your napkin is floppy and won't stay propped up, you may need a little starch.

Method 3
Bishop's Hat

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    Lay the napkin out in front of you. If your napkin flops down easily, ironing it with a little bit of light starch should help this process.
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    Fold the napkin in half by bringing the top end down. You should have a rectangle now.
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    Bring the top right corner down to the middle-bottom of the napkin.
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    Bring the bottom left corner up to the middle-top of the napkin. You should have a parallelogram now.
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    Flip the napkin over and rearrange it so that the top left and bottom right edges are sticking out.
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    Fold the bottom of the napkin up and towards the top half. The edges should all be meeting each other, except for a stray triangle at the bottom left of the napkin.
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    Gently bring out the flap on the right so that it forms another triangle on the bottom right.
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    Bring the top left corner and tuck it underneath the triangle on the right. The left triangle is now folded in half.
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    Flip the triangle over so that the two points are now facing up.
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    Fold the right edge into the left flap. The napkin should be completely symmetrical again.
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    Push the folds in the center of the hat down so that the base of the bishop's hat is circular.
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    Finished.

Method 4
Basic Silverware Pouch

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    Lay the napkin out in front of you.
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    Fold the napkin in half by bringing the top end down. You should have a rectangle now.
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    Fold the napkin again to create a square. Move the right end over the left end.
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    Turn the napkin around so that the open corner is facing top-left.
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    Bring the top fold of the top-left corner of the napkin down diagonally to the bottom-right.
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    Flip the triangle over so that the open corner is now facing top-right.
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    Fold the right side over about 1/3 of the way and crease the fold.
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    Fold the left side over about 1/3 of the way and fit it into the little fold created at the bottom right.
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    Flip the napkin over again and arrange any utensils inside the napkin.
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    Finished.

Sources and Citations



Article Info

Categories: Dining Etiquette