Napkins in their utilitarian meaning have a long history. In ancient Greece, fig tree leaves served as napkins, with which slaves wiped their master's lips. Cloth napkins are first mentioned in ancient Rome. During the Middle Ages, napkins appeared in Europe.

Nowadays, when serving a festive table, the hostess will never forget to put a napkin near the plate of each guest. Currently, two types of napkins are used: fabric and paper. Cloth ones are usually laid on their knees, and lips and fingers are wiped with paper ones.

Sometimes paper napkins are not served on the table, but only fabric ones are present. In this case, one napkin is used both to protect clothes and to wipe.

Today, napkins are a table decoration!

Here are some ways how to fold cloth napkins when setting the table beautifully:

• Lily

1. Initial form - the napkin is folded diagonally. 2. Align the left and right corners with the top of the triangle. 3. Fold the napkin in half along the horizontal axis. 4. Bend the top of the upper triangle.

• royal lily

1. Initial form - the napkin lies face down. 2. Bend in turn all its corners to the center. 3. Turn the napkin over. 4. Bend its corners to the center again. 5. Holding the corners in the center, pull the corners from the bottom so that they form “petals”.

• Artichoke

1. Initial form - the napkin lies with the wrong side up. Bend all four corners to the center. 2. Bend all corners to the center again. 3. Turn the napkin over. 4. Bend all corners to the center again. 5. Pull out the tip of the napkin that is inside the rectangle. 6. Pull out the rest of the tips. 7. Pull the remaining four corners from under the folded figure.

• Handbag

1. Initial form - fold the napkin vertically in half (fold on the right). 2. And fold in half again from bottom to top. 3. Bend the two layers of the upper left corner to the center. 4. Bend the upper right corner to the center. 5. Bend the resulting triangle down along the line just below the middle. 6. Bend the upper right and left corners to the middle. 7. Bend the resulting triangle down to the first triangle.

• Horizontal sachet

1. Initial form - the napkin is folded in half with the front side inward (fold at the bottom). 2. Bend a third of the top layer down to form a central crease. 3. Turn the opposite side towards you. Bend the sides so that they touch in the center. Fold the same again.

• Diagonal sachet

1. Initial form - the napkin is folded four times. 2. Fold back the corner of the first layer of fabric 2 inches (5 cm), repeat the operation. 3. Fold over the second layer of tissue paper, tucking a corner under the diagonal bolster to form a second 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide roll. 4. Fold the top and bottom of the napkin and lay it on the table, orienting it vertically so that the folds remain diagonal.

• Tiered corners

1. Initial form - the napkin is folded four times. 2. Fold the first layer of napkin fabric diagonally so that the corner is at the left point. Bend the second layer so that the second corner is 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from the first. 3. Repeat the above with the third and fourth layers of fabric so that all corners are 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart. 4. Fold the sides down and place the napkin on the table.

• Everest

1. Initial form - the napkin is folded in half horizontally (fold from above). 2. Fold the top corners diagonally towards the middle. 3. Align the sides of the triangle so that their sharp corners are at the bottom. 4a. Turn the figure over and bend the ends, which will become a support for it. 4b. Bend along the vertical axis with folds inward. 5. Stand the napkin upright.

• Calla

1. Initial form - the napkin is folded diagonally with the front side out (fold at the bottom). 2. Finish the upper corner, forming a "bag" 3. Turn out about 1/3 of the "bag". 4. Straighten the resulting figure and give the napkin a vertical position.

• Column

1. Initial form - the napkin is folded diagonally. 2. Bend the base up, then back about 2-3 cm. 3. Starting from the left, roll the napkin into a tube. Lay the remaining edge in the lower folded edge of the napkin.

• Hat with lapel

1. Initial form - the napkin is folded with the wrong side inward (left fold). 2. Fold the napkin in half again to make a square (fold at the bottom). 3. Wrap the lower left corner, leaving 2-3 cm to the top. 4. Bend the side corners inward and fasten in each other. 5. Place the napkin vertically to make a “hat” with a folding collar, bend one of the upper peaks down.

• Fan in the ring

1. Initial form - a napkin in a straightened form lies face down. 2. Fold the napkin "accordion" (2a). 3. Bend it in half in the middle. 4. Fill the napkin in the ring (or put it in a glass) and straighten the “fan”.

• table fan

1. Initial form - the napkin is folded in half with the right side out (fold from above). Collect three quarters of its length into an "accordion", bending the first fold down. 2. Fold the resulting figure in half so that the folds are on the outside on the left side, and not the folded part on the right. 3. Take the napkin in your hand so that the open ends of the folds look up. 4. Fold the unfolded part of the napkin diagonally to make a “stand”, as shown in the photo. After that, tuck the “stand” between the folds and place the napkin on the table.

• Rybka

1. Initial form - the napkin is folded diagonally (fold at the top). 2. Bend the bottom corner up. 3. Bend the left protruding corner down. 4. Fold the right corner in the same way. 5. Bend the left side to the middle vertical line of the figure. Fold the right side in the same way. 6. Turn the figure over and decorate it with a small shell.

• Shirt

1. Initial form - the napkin is folded diagonally. 2. Fold up a small strip of fabric at the base of the triangle and turn the napkin right side out. 3. Bend the right corner to the left down, the left corner to the right down. 4. Straighten the corners strictly symmetrically and fold the bottom edge back. "Shirt" can be decorated with a bow or candy.

Have a nice holiday!

The festive table is not only beautiful and tasty dishes, but also the correct serving, which will not be complete without originally laid napkins. Beautiful table setting is an art in which there are no trifles, in particular, such a detail as a paper napkin can turn an ordinary family dinner into a festive one. To lay napkins effectively, a lot of effort is not required - desire, patience and packing napkins.

Napkins in a napkin holder

7 ways to fold beautiful and original paper napkins

In order for napkins to become a decoration and to work with them was pleasant, they must be of high quality, in harmony with the tablecloth and dishes. Not bad if they also correspond to the theme of the feast. Bright, with pictures are suitable for a children's holiday, for a business dinner or a romantic date - calm, plain. Get creative with the process of folding napkins, and guests will appreciate your efforts, rewarding the best hostess with compliments. Depending on the occasion for the feast, napkins can be given the desired shape. So, candle napkins are suitable for a romantic dinner. How to beautifully fold napkins on a festive table - diagrams and explanations. Some of the photos show models made of cloth napkins, but they are just as available in paper version.

Candle

We take large plain, dense napkins. Unfold and place face down. Now we bend diagonally in the form of a triangle. At the place of the fold, we fold a strip 1.5 - 2 cm wide. Now you can proceed to twisting the "boat". The tube is obtained on a stand, the protruding corner is tucked inward. You can also insert a real candle into the tube.

Fan

How beautiful it is to fold paper napkins into a napkin holder with a fan, we already know, here is another version of the desktop fan.

Sachet - for both family and business lunch

Peacock

This napkin can be the highlight of the table at any event. We need large plain napkins and explanations for the diagram.

Rabbit

For spring or children's holidays, a napkin in the form of a rabbit will look original.

Christmas tree

New Year's mood for a festive dinner will be added by a Christmas tree made of napkins. You can even pick up green ones and decorate the top with a toy (icicle or star).

Spectacular rose for any occasion

And 12 more ways beautiful

royal lily

1. The original form of the napkin lies face down.
2. Bend in turn all its corners to the center.
3. Turn the napkin over.
4. Bend its corners to the center again.
5. Holding the corners in the center, pull the corners from the bottom so that they form “petals”.

royal mantle

1. The original shape of the napkin is folded diagonally downwards.
2. Align the left and right corners with the top of the triangle.
3. Fold them up.
4. Bend the top of the upper of the two lower triangles up to the middle.
5. ... in half again and again, going to the top half of the napkin. Bend the lower part (the remaining triangle) back. Fasten the side corners to each other and pull out the points.
6. Bend the tips of the "royal mantle" down and fasten behind the welt.

Hourglass

1. The original form of the napkin is folded in half along the vertical axis (left fold)
2. Fold the top left and right corners down.
3. Bend the left and right bottom corners up.
4. Fold the top triangle down and the bottom one up.

Flame

2. Fold the resulting triangle with an accordion, leaving a small triangle on top.
3. Fasten the "accordion" with the top.
4. ... and fold the figure in half.
5. The resulting figure can be fixed with a ring or decorative elements.

Shirt

1. The original shape of the napkin is folded diagonally.
2. Fold up a small strip of fabric at the base of the triangle and turn the napkin right side out.
3. Bend the right corner to the left down, the left corner to the right down.
4. Straighten the corners strictly symmetrically and fold the bottom edge back. "Shirt" can be decorated
bow or candy.

Rybka

1. The original shape of the napkin is folded diagonally (fold at the top).
2. Bend the bottom corner up.
3. Bend the left protruding corner down.
4. Fold the right corner in the same way.
5. Bend the left side to the middle vertical line of the figure. Fold the right side in the same way.
6. Turn the figure over and decorate it with a small shell.

Sachet corners

1. The original shape of the napkin is folded four times with the right side out (open corners in the upper right part)
2. Fold the first layer of napkin fabric diagonally so that the corner is at the lower left point.
3. Fold back the second layer of fabric so that its corner touches the center fold. Bend the first corner from the bottom so that it touches the corner at the central fold.
4. Bend the lower right and upper left corners back.
5. Place the napkin on the table in a vertical orientation.

Slipper with train

1. The original form of the napkin is folded in half with the wrong side inward. Fold both top corners of the napkin towards the middle.
2. Bend the resulting top down.
3. Turn the napkin right side away from you and fold the top corners towards the middle again.
4. Turn the napkin away from you again and fold the folds from the bottom edge.
5. Place the folds under the square, holding it in the center with your fingers, and spread out on both sides
fan.

Tiara and lily

1. The original shape of the napkin is folded diagonally (fold at the bottom)
2. Align the two side corners with the top.
3. Fold the napkin so that the bottom corner is 1 inch (2.5cm) lower than the top.
4. Bend the top corner down to the fold.
5a. Bend the sides back and insert one into the other to form a circle at the base.
5 B. Set the napkin straight up.
6. Style "Lily"
We perform operations 1-5 (see above). To fold the napkin in a lily style, fold down the top two corners.

Tiered corners

1. The original form of the napkin is folded four times.
2. Fold the first layer of napkin fabric diagonally so that the corner is at the left point. Bend the second layer so that the second corner is 1 inch (2.5 cm) away from the first.
3. Repeat the above with the third and fourth layers of fabric so that all corners are 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart.
4. Fold the sides down and place the napkin on the table.

Princess Frog

The original form of the napkin lies face down.
1. Fold the top quarter of the napkin down and the bottom quarter up.
2. Turn the napkin away from you and fold it in half along the horizontal axis towards you.
3. Bend the upper right corner down.
4. Lay the next corner inward.
5. Bend the last right corner back under the figure.
6. Do the same with the left corners.
7. Fold the figure in the middle.
8. Place it on the folded corners. Glue confetti circles instead of eyes.

Royal bun

1. The original form of the napkin is wrong side up.
2. Bend to the center all other corners.
3. Turn the napkin over and again bend all corners to the center.
4. Turn the napkin over. Bend to the center again all the corners.
5. Bend the four corners inward from the center.
6. Bend all corners to the center again and turn the napkin over.
7. Straighten the folded corners.

Hat with lapel

1. The original form of the napkin is folded with the wrong side inward (left fold).
2. Fold the napkin in half again to make a square (fold at the bottom).
3. Wrap the lower left corner, leaving 2-3 cm to the top.
4. Bend the side corners inward and fasten in each other.
5. Place the napkin vertically to make a “hat” with a folding collar, bend one of the upper peaks down.

Bishop's Cap

1. The original form of the napkin is folded in half (fold at the bottom).
2. Fold the top left and bottom right corners diagonally towards the middle. Turn the napkin over so that the top right corner is at the bottom left.
3. Fold the figure along the horizontal axis in half, releasing the left triangles.
4. Bend the right side of the figure to the left and place it under the left triangle.
5. And finally, turn the napkin over and place the left side under the right triangle. Fasten the corners.

marquee

1. The original form of the napkin is folded horizontally in half (fold at the top).
2. Fold the napkin into a triangle (align the lower left corner with the lower right corner).
3. Move the right corner of the resulting triangle to the left.
4. Repeat steps 2, after which shift the lower right corner to the left.
5. Bend the right half of the triangle to the left and place the napkin so that the edges do not wrinkle.

twisted tent

1. The original form of the napkin is folded in half (fold at the top).
2. Align the lower left corner of the napkin with its lower right part to form an isosceles triangle on top.
3. Move the right corner to the right.
4. Repeat step 2, shift the lower right corner to the left.
5. Bend the right half of the triangle to the left.
6. Roll the napkin from left to right.
7. Give the napkin a vertical position without unfolding it completely.

It's good when everything is perfect in a person! And in the kitchen as well.

In expensive restaurants, the seemingly ordinary procedure of folding napkins has turned into a real art: instead of simple napkin holders with modest paper napkins, tables are decorated with fancy paper and linen “sculptures”: lush fans made of paper napkins, elegant flowers made of fabric napkins, all kinds of “stars”, "swans" and so on.

Most ways to fold napkins - be it paper or fabric - turn out to be quite simple, and today we will get acquainted with the most beautiful ways to fold napkins to decorate the table.

Surprise your guests with exquisite table decoration

And here is a popular step-by-step option on how to fold a napkin with a fan.

It is quite easy to do this, but such a napkin looks impressive:

There are a lot of options for folding paper napkins to decorate the table.

Step-by-step instructions for folding a Christmas tree napkin:

• Fold the napkin in half to make a long rectangle.
• We symmetrically bend the edges of the rectangle on its short sides
• The resulting sharp corners are bent to the center of the napkin
• Flip the resulting square to the other side
• Fold the napkin in half
• Gently bend only the top layer of the left corner of the napkin and bend it so that the edges of the corner come into contact with the upper right corner of the napkin - you should get a diagonal corner on the left side of the napkin
• Now we repeat the same procedure on the opposite side - we bend the top layer of the right corner of the napkin in the direction of the left corner, so that we get a triangle
• Fold the napkin in half again to make a small triangle.
• We repeat all the steps again with another napkin - to make the second "half" of the Christmas tree
• We make two napkins together - and we get an elegant Christmas tree from ordinary paper napkins!

Photo instructions for folding paper napkins

How to fold cloth napkins

The procedure for folding fabric napkins and decorating a festive table with them, unfortunately, is somewhat more complicated and requires much longer preparation. To begin with, fabric napkins must be prepared - they must be carefully ironed so that there is not a single wrinkle. And then start folding:

• Lay the cloth napkin on the table and fold it in half so that the edges match exactly.
• Starting at one edge of the napkin folded in half, gather it into folds about 2-3 centimeters wide - in the end you should get a kind of "accordion".
• Hold the folded napkin with one hand, put a special holder ring on its lower part with the other and pull it up (the ring should be approximately 3-4 meters from the bottom edge of the napkin).
• Flatten the folded cloth napkin so that you get a wide "fan". Flatten the bottom end of the napkin so that this base holds the napkin upright. Insert the folded napkin into the napkin holder.

To make folded napkins look really beautiful, you can decorate the napkin holder with fresh flowers.

How to beautifully fold a fabric napkin into a flower

To turn your festive dinner into an unforgettable event, it is not enough just to please the guests with a well-composed menu - the setting of the festive table is no less important. To decorate the table, you will need the simplest way to fold roses from napkins.

1. We bend all four corners of the fabric napkin to the center
2. Turn the napkin over with the other side up
3. Once again we bend all four corners of the resulting small square to the center
4. Pressing the corners of the napkin in the center, we stretch the “petals” on the sides - and our “rose” from the napkin is ready!

Step-by-step photo instructions for folding a flower from a napkin:

Napkins - the easiest way to decorate the table

Napkin in a fork

Fold the napkin diagonally, fold the bottom edge 2-3 cm, form 3 folds and insert between the tines of a fork. heart

Fold the napkin lengthwise with the sides towards the middle and fold so that the edges are not visible. Bend both ends of the rectangle at a right angle so that the free parts are the same. Bend the top corners inward to form roundness.

Pillow with ears

Fold a square napkin diagonally, roll the long side to the middle into a tube, fold the sides in the middle so that the edges protrude 2-3 cm. Turn over, form ears and place cutlery on the pillow.

Frame

Align the two sides of the napkin with the center line, turn the napkin over and repeat the same thing, but with the short sides. Fold the corners out. If one or two corners are left closed, you can hide a gift under them.

oblique envelope

Fold the square napkin 2 times to make a square. Fold the top layer (2 or 3 layers possible) diagonally. Bend the sides inwards.

Envelope with a border

Raise the bottom side of the napkin to the middle and bend the border 2-3 cm wide, turn the napkin over and fold the top side to the middle. Fold the sides on top of each other and turn the napkin over again.

Torch

Fold the napkin 2 times to make a square. Roll the top layer into a tube to the middle. Turn the side corners inwards.

sailboat

Fold a square napkin diagonally, twist the base halfway with a tube. Connect the edges.

Diamond

Fold the square napkin 2 times to get a square with free corners down. Fold the top corner up. Bend each subsequent layer of napkin a little less. Fold the corners back to make a pentagon.

A napkin must be present on the table. This is necessary not only for decoration, but also for the convenience of maintaining hygiene during the meal. But if at an ordinary lunch or dinner this element is simply placed in a napkin holder, then on holidays and celebrations napkins are served in a beautifully designed form. A variety of flowers, fans, caps, candles and even shirts are formed from them.

How to fold paper napkins beautifully photo

How to fold napkins on the table like a fan

1. First we make a holder for a folded napkin. It can be made from cardboard to match or a postcard suitable for drawing and texture. Cut out an oblong oval shape 6-8 cm long

2. with special scissors and one side of the hole punch, we make holes on both sides

3. we stretch a beautiful ribbon into the holes

4. fold the napkin like an accordion, but from the middle with corners as shown in the photo

5. insert the folded napkin into the holder and decorate the table with it

Napkins “Peacock tail”

1. Place the napkin face out and fold in half

2. 2/3 of the length of the folded napkin needs to be folded like an accordion

3. fold the napkin in half again so that the folded accordion is on your left, and not folded on the right side

4. now take the napkin in your hands and holding the unfolded part, straighten the “tail”.

5. and the last: fold the part that is not folded like an accordion into a corner to make a napkin holder

How to festively fold herringbone napkins

1. napkin folded in 4 (since it is sold in packs)

2. we bend one side, not reaching the edge of approximately 1 cm

3. do the same with the 2nd and 3rd sides of the napkin

4. after that, turn the napkin over

5. and tuck the right and left sides. Right to the middle, and with the left we cover the right folded side

How to fold napkins in an original way “Diplomat's Pocket”

1. a large paper napkin is laid face out and folded into 4

2. We turn one corner of the napkin from the corner to the middle with strips 1-1.5 cm wide. We turn only half of the side.

3. turn over the napkin

4. turn the right and left corners to the middle

5. after the right and left corners are wrapped, turn the napkin over again

Napkin “Lotus flower”

In this version of folding the napkin, everything is quite simple, at first glance.

1. The napkin is folded in such a way that as a result, at the first stage, we get a 1/2 folded napkin, in which the lower and upper folds are folded inward, and the middle one is folded out.

2. after that, we begin to fold the napkin with an accordion, moving strictly along the already formed folds

3. then, having pressed the folds well, we take the middle of our “butterfly” with our fingers.

4. now we bend the corners of our napkin with triangles in the opposite direction from the existing fold of the side

5. and the last, with a simple movement of the hand, we unfold our flower from a napkin.

Well, since to describe this process in such a way that everyone can understand what is meant by this or that phrase, I think it’s better to see how to do it.

Video - how to beautifully fold paper napkins in the form of a flower.

How to fold napkins video

I offer you 2 more options for folding napkins on a festive table with a detailed video outlining the whole process.

Napkin “Slanted pocket”

Napkin “Flower of the East”

Table setting with napkins

Such a seemingly insignificant detail has a huge variety of shapes, colors, sizes and materials. A napkin can be completely simple or, on the contrary, be exquisite, large or miniature, bright colors or plain and elegant. Previously, this product was used only for hygiene purposes, in order to be able to dry hands after eating or to clean clothes from possible stains.

Now napkins are also used as table decorations, and there are many different ways to do this. However, in addition to the fact that the folded design of the napkin should be interesting and unusual, it is also necessary that guests can simply and quickly unfold it and use it if necessary. There are many options for serving napkins, for example, they can be folded into a certain shape.

Openwork products will look amazing folded into an envelope, tube or triangle .

There are also dining sets. with special serving rings , in which napkins are threaded and placed near the plate. Of course, it looks very aesthetically pleasing, and people at such a table will have a good time.

But if the hostess has absolutely no time and serving needs to be done quickly, then napkins can simply be put in a napkin holder . Also, it won’t take much time, but a napkin will look beautiful and unusual, threaded into the handle of the cup. Or, for example, you can bandage a dessert spoon with it.

A napkin is considered a mandatory attribute of table decoration.

Usually two types of napkins are used:

1. fabric,
2. paper.

Large napkins (35x35 cm - 45x45 cm) are usually served for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Smaller paper products (25x25 cm - 35x35 cm) are more suitable for coffee and tea tables, as well as for dessert and cocktail tables.

For napkins, there is a basic rule regarding their edges. As a rule, paper napkins with a hemmed edge are used, but decorative ones with a fringe can also be served with a coffee and tea feast. The main thing is to arrange them beautifully so that the folded napkins are in harmony with both the tablecloth and the dishes. Maybe an option, for example, when napkins and a tablecloth are of the same color, or when these products differ in tone. The main rule is that the combination of colors should be harmonious and appropriate. In the case when the table is served with a double tablecloth, then you should fold the napkins in place and pick them up to match the main tablecloth.

How to serve napkins ? Everything is simple here. Folded napkins should be placed on snack plates or to the left of them. You can thread napkins into a decorative metal or wicker ring. But if the table is served with ceramics, then it is also better to choose ceramic napkin rings.

When setting the table with napkins, you should try to touch them as little as possible with your hands, since the presence of stains on these products is unacceptable.

A decorated napkin is usually placed under vases with sweets, fruits, containers with bread, under the main appliances. During the meal, it should be spread on the knees to protect clothes from possible contamination, and in case of need it could be used, for example, to wet the lips.