3 Simple Ways to Fold a Napkin

Fabric napkins add a touch of elegance to your holiday meals. For most of us, it’s only during these meals that we even bother with fabric napkins. Instead of folding them in a rectangle or square this year, impress your guest with some fancy napkin folding skills. Don’t worry — these three folds are easy to do and will make a dinner guest feel like they are dining at a 5-star restaurant.

For best folding results, it will help to first iron the napkins thoroughly or even lightly starch the fabric to give the napkin a more rigid form. Linen and cotton napkins are the easiest to fold.

The Cone

This simple fold is elegant and easy to do. Follow the numbered steps below with images ordered from left.

1. Lay the napkin flat with the right (front) side down. 2. Fold the napkin in half and turn the open end away from you. 3. Fold the napkin into quarters. Turn the napkin so that the open end is facing away from you. 4. Fold the top layer all the way forward and press it down flat.

5. Turn the napkin over and fold the left hand side of the napkin over two-thirds of the way (image at left below). 6. Then fold the right hand side of the napkin over to match the left-hand side. Tuck the corners of the napkin into the left-hand side flap. Flip it over and there you have it — the cone. Tuck an herb or flower sprig in the pocket or flatware.

The Flatware Pocket

Create a little pocket to tuck flatware for this classic presentation. Follow the numbered steps below with images ordered from left.

1. Lay the napkin flat with the right (front) side down. 2. Fold the napkin in half and turn the open end toward you. 3. Fold the napkin into quarters. Turn the napkin so the open corner is facing away and to the left. 4. Fold the top layer of napkin in half diagonally and press it down.

Flip the napkin over so that the open corner is now facing away and to the right. 5. Fold the right side back one-third of the way and press it down (image at left below). 6. Then, fold the left side back also one-third of the way and press. Flip the napkin over and insert your flatware.

Three Point Fold

This napkin fold looks pretty on its own, but you can embellish it with greenery or even a piece of fruit laid on top of the napkin. Follow the numbered steps below with images ordered from left.

1. Lay the napkin flat with the right (front) side down. 2. Fold the napkin in half diagonally with the middle point of the triangle facing down. 3. Fold the right corner of the napkin over to the left. 4. Then, fold the right side of the napkin towards the left until the desired "necktie shape" is formed on the napkin.

Any of these folds will add a touch of elegance to your table. Give them a try for your next holiday dinner.