How to fold napkins beautifully?

Today the napkin is a common attribute of any meal. Paper ones are indispensable for hands and face, fabric ones are served so as not to stain outfits. It is difficult to imagine your life without these unpretentious assistants. Their use is already carried out automatically. However, no one even thinks that real masterpieces can be created from ordinary fabrics that can decorate any table.

We offer you to learn amazing art - Napkin folding, or folding napkins and a little touch to the table setting, as in expensive restaurants.

Beautiful fabrics on the table always evoke thoughts of aristocracy and beautiful palaces. Such associations arise for a reason. The very first "substitutes" for napkins were only from rich and noble people. This is explained, firstly, by the fact that commoners did not even think about the purity and ethics of food. And secondly, the high cost of fabrics. They first appeared before our era in ancient Rome. They were made from alabaster fibers, which determined their high cost. Accordingly, only rich people could afford such a luxury.

Before the ubiquitous distribution of napkins, different peoples used their own devices. For example, in the East, a beautiful bowl of lemon water was placed on the table, in which they washed their hands. Then they used rice paper or thin pita bread. In ancient Rome, hands were wiped on the leaves of a fig tree. In Egypt, the pulp of bread was used.

In history, there are descriptions of even such today strange counterparts of napkins, such as, for example, the hair of courtiers. If the food was eaten lying down, then they used carpets or cloths that covered the floor.

In Russia, for these purposes, the floors of the tablecloth and the sleeves of clothing were used, which lasted until the 18th century. By the decree of Peter I, cutlery became mandatory. Then they even published a book on etiquette, which explained where, how and why to use the canvases.

The art of folding napkins into different shapes also appeared around the 18th century. This direction originated from origami, which was common in Japan. Previously, it was a kind of "trick", the hallmark of an expensive restaurant or noble people who hosted receptions. The ability to fold napkins beautifully spoke of hospitality, belonging to the upper class. So out of necessity, napkins became table decorations.

Today, such a luxury is available to everyone every day. It is worth buying or sewing the most simple square canvases. But what charm and sophistication they will add to an ordinary dinner!

They say that the appearance of the table already determines the mood for the meal. Try to diversify your meal with a beautiful setting, perhaps the dishes you cook will become even tastier.

The article will describe the rules of etiquette, a few simple step-by-step workshops and the basics of table setting with napkins, as well as inspiring and unusual creative ideas.

First, let's deal with the source material - the napkin itself.

The canvases are always square with a side from 25 cm to 45 cm. The size of the napkin depends on the meal - if it is a full lunch or dinner, then a larger napkin is served. If lunch or coffee break is small. They are usually sold in sets of six.

There are also serving napkins. They look more like tablecloths. They are placed under plates and cutlery. They are not necessarily square in shape, so they are not used for Napkin folding.

If textiles are used to serve a table that is not filled with food, then it is placed on the top plate. If the treats are already on the table, then the napkin is placed to the left of the plate. Sometimes they are threaded into rings, tied with a ribbon, put in cutlery or put in a glass.

Any colors are suitable for the holiday. The main thing is that everything looks harmonious.

There are many options for how you can elegantly and simply twist, unfold or roll up ordinary napkins. Let's take a look at some of them.

All schemes, one way or another, are based on the same essence. On this basis, one can distinguish:

• Horizontal (flat) shapes or Sachets... These are small pockets in which forks, spoons and knives are stored. This napkin shape looks original and has additional functionality. They are perfect for formal receptions.
• Vertical (volumetric) figures. More often they have a "standing" shape. They look solemn and unusual. They will allow you to surprise guests and add mood to the holiday.

• Thematic origami... Will be appropriate on the appropriate holiday: New Year or Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter or March 8. Such figures are more complicated than the previous ones and require certain skills.

Folding order:

• it is necessary to bend a rag napkin along the middle horizontal line, connecting the upper corners with the lower ones.The fold should be on top, the free edges on the bottom;

• further collapse the left half of the rectangle to the right along the middle vertical line. The fold will be to the left;

• unfold the napkin with free corners away from you;

• the next step is to bend one layer of fabric down, not reaching the bottom corner;

• repeat the same with the second layer;

• now with the third;

• now bend the side corners under the figure;

• the envelope is ready. Place the necessary cutlery in each individual pocket.

Folding order:

• you should start from the third point in the previous figure "Carved envelope" - the napkin is folded in four, the free corners lie away from you;

• then fold the corner of the outer first layer to the center of the square;

• wrap the strip along the intended diagonal and roll the corner inward;

• bend the right half of the figure back;

• put cutlery in the resulting pocket.

Diagonals like these allow you to play with them. There are many variations. For example, here is another example of a similar envelope, which looks much more complicated and textured:

• you should start from the third point in the previous figure "Carved envelope" - the napkin is folded in four, the free corners lie away from you;
• then fold the corner of the outer first layer to the center of the square;
• wrap the strip along the intended diagonal and roll the corner inward;
• bend the right half of the figure back;
• put cutlery in the resulting pocket.

In addition to placing forks and spoons, you can also decorate the napkin with its spruce twig, flower, dried autumn or juicy fresh leaf, or other.

The stages are as follows:

• you need to arrange the textiles with the "left" side up, grab the upper left corner and pull it towards the center;
• then fold the fabric in half from left to right. The fold should be to the right;
• fold it in half again, but horizontally, that is, turn the lower part under the upper one;
• pull the top edge towards the center and hide it in the resulting envelope;
• then wrap the side corners under the product;
• the final step is to put a fork and knife in the first pocket, and a sprig of greenery, a flower or a paper napkin in the second.

Stages:

• fold the fabric in half with the right side inward, place the free edges away from you;
• now bend the shape along the vertical line. You get a square folded in four;
• it is necessary to unfold the figure so that the free corner looks away from you;
• bend down one layer at a time, leaving a gap of about one centimeter between them;

• then continue until only the bottom layer of the napkin remains;
• turn the figure over, fold the corners to the center, as shown in the diagram;

• turn it over again - the cutlery bag is ready!

Scheme of work:

• lay the fabric diagonally, position the base towards you;
• bend the left corner upward, as shown in the figure;
• in the same way, bend the right edge upward, then pull up the corner formed at the bottom, but do not connect it to the upper corner: leave about a couple of centimeters;
• now you should bend the top of the corner bent in the previous step down exactly in the middle so that its top is connected to the horizontal edge of the napkin;
• the next step is to turn the product over to the other side;
• carefully bring the opposite edges of the figure together, forming a cylinder: one of the edges must be plugged into the second edge folded diagonally.

How to do:

• fold the napkin diagonally with the base of the triangle towards you;

• start folding its upper corner towards the base;

• continue the previous step until the hands "reach" the horizontal edge;

• now bend the left side up;

• roll the napkin into a roll, fix the remaining tip at the bottom;

Stages:

• standard starting form - the napkin is folded in half, then you need to fold about two-thirds of the fabric with an accordion and iron the resulting corrugation well;
• fold the product in two parts again, the accordion should be outside, as shown in the picture;
• roll the remaining (straight) "tail" diagonally so that a rectangular support for the fan is obtained: an angle of 90 degrees should abut against the accordion;
• straighten the zigzag well and place it on the "leg".

Stages:

• the first step is to fold the fabric in half, so that the fold is on the right side;
• now bend along the horizontal fold line;
• free edges should look away from you;
• wrap the lower left corner diagonally, but do not bring it to the upper edge by about 2-3 centimeters;
• connect the side parts so that you get a ring
• corners are fixed with a paper clip or inserted into one another;
• set the figure on the plate. You can leave it like this or bend down a smaller corner.

Folding order:

• fold the green napkin in half, the free edges look down;
• again in half: from left to right, so that the fold is on the right;
• unfold the folded square with free edges towards you;
• bend the upper outer layer of the lower corner upwards and connect this part of the product with the upper one;
• then each subsequent corner must also be raised up, but not brought to the upper corner, leave a couple of centimeters to the previous one, as shown in the diagram;
• now you need to grip all the edges with your hand so that they do not slide out;
• turn the figure over;

• outline the middle on the lower fold, hold your finger at this midpoint;
• bend the right corner to the left up to your finger;
• do the same with the left side;
• turn the product upside down again;
• pull the upper free corner up as far as possible;
• do the previous step again with each subsequent corner.

Such a figure can become voluminous. To do this, grab the tree from below. Slide your hand into it and spread the napkin from the inside. Place the tree on a plate.

For this you need:

• bend the napkin in half along a horizontal line from top to bottom, the fold should be on top;

• now bend the napkin again, but from the bottom up vertically;

• determine the middle at the upper fold and bend first the right side of the figure down, then the left. The product should resemble the figure of a house;

• bend the lower right corner diagonally, as shown in the figure, then do the same with the left corner, you end up with a rhombus;

• determine on the upper left bend of the middle along this point, bend the left corner, then the right;

• gently turn the figure to the back side;

• bend the lower corner upwards, this will make a triangle, the sharp top looks away from you;

• turn the napkin over again, fold it in half along the longitudinal line;

• connect (it is better to use a paperclip) side corners with each other;

• it remains to spread the "ears" in different directions.

The scheme is simple:

• connect two opposite edges of the napkin by folding it diagonally;
• place the upper corner away from you;
• then carefully twist the base of the triangle, rising upward until about 6-8 cm remains to the upper corner;
• now we need to twist the “tail” of the figure, moving from the left side to the right, this is similar to how we made the “candle”. In the process, you should straighten the fabric and lay it so that it resembles rose petals;

• fix the free edge, as shown in the picture;
• unfold the “leaves” of the rose in different directions;
• put the finished rose on a plate or drop it into a glass.

The proposed scheme can be used as a basis for making the flower itself. And the leaves can be brought closer to natural in color. Take two napkins, one for example pink and the other green. From the first, make the rose itself according to the above option, but do not leave the top corner 6-8 cm (in step # 3), but tighten the triangle to the end. Next, do all the points to the end. Put a green handkerchief in a glass and place a finished rose in it. And so your napkin will sparkle in a new way.

Based on the color scheme of the table setting, use a fabric of red, pink, purple or another color you like. Step-by-step production:

• the first step is to fold the canvas diagonally, turn the fold towards you, and the angle away from you;

• pull the left corner up until it aligns with the top corner of the original triangle;

• now do the same with the right side, you get a rhombus;

• turn the figure over;
• then pull the upper corner down and connect it to the lower one;

• pull the lower left corner diagonally to the left;

• now right;

• wrap the side corners of the napkin, giving the heart a more rounded shape;

• the final action is to turn the figure over.

The heart is ready. In such an unpretentious way it will turn out to surprise a loved one on February 14 or any other romantic dinner.

Step by step scheme:

• the fabric should lie "left" side up;
• alternately bend each corner to the center, a rhombus forms in front of you;
• repeat step 2;
• gently, holding the core, turn the napkin over;
• roll the corners back to the middle;
• holding the center with your hand or placing a glass on it, gently pull at each tip away from the center, as shown in the figure.

Folding steps:

• fold the fabric into a ribbon in three or four folds;
• now it is important to mark the middle of the tape and bend the right and left edges alternately to the marked center.
• put a ribbon under the napkin and tie it at the junction of the napkin edges. A special napkin ring can be used here.

• the last step is to turn the product over. And here is a cute bow that can decorate any holiday.

In the process of preparing the table for a lunchtime family dinner or holiday, it will be wonderful if the hostess gets acquainted with the basic techniques of decoration and serving, as well as several ways of laying napkins. In order for you to succeed, there are a few rules you should follow to quickly fall in love with the art of Napkin folding:

• Napkins should look organically in an ensemble with dishes and a tablecloth. It is better that all napkins are one or two colors.
• If you decide to decorate the table setting with folded napkins, then fold them in the same manner. You shouldn't show all your skills in one evening.
• Cloths should be well washed, free from stains, moderately starched and well ironed. Wrinkled or dirty napkins, no matter how intricate you fold them, will look untidy.

• Starching a napkin is easy: dissolve 1 teaspoon of starch in 1 liter of water, add a pinch of salt and mix well, immerse the product in the solution for 15 minutes, dry and iron.
• Do not use aerosol starch. It won't give the texture you want.

• It is better to moisten the cloth when ironing. Use an iron when folding itself: it will make the folds perfectly even.
• The fabric should be folded so that it is easy to unfold. Remember the main function of the napkin.
• The use of linen napkins does not exclude the presence of paper napkins on the table. The fabric is used to protect clothing from drops and stains. It folds out neatly in the lap. In no case should a linen napkin be tucked behind the collar, this is a sign of bad taste. It is allowed to blot the corners of the mouth with such a napkin. However, you should not wipe your hands and mouth with it. Just for these purposes, a paper version should be provided on the table.

• Pay attention to the composition of the fabric. Choose natural materials such as cotton, cambric or calico. It is permissible to add a small percentage of synthetics (up to 20). Do not use chiffon, silk (satin, dupont) or satin. They will not absorb moisture.
• The location of the napkin on the table is also very important. More often they put it on the plate itself or to the left of it. If you chose the cutlery pocket option, place it to the right of the plate. Sometimes a napkin is placed in a glass.

Remember Napkin folding is an art. There are, of course, no single correct options. Having learned the basics, you can invent your own author's schemes. It is better to determine for yourself 2-3 ideal figures for you and alternate them periodically.

The table setting will be successful if the above rules are followed. Remember aesthetics and simplicity. The main things on the table will always be dishes prepared with love, and dishes, tablecloths and fabrics are just an addition to them. Having made origami from napkins carefully, choosing the right colors and accessories, you will get your own successful example, which will be happy to share with your friends.

The choice of color, fabric and various attributes of the table setting, undoubtedly, depends on the theme of the feast. For example, for a man's birthday or celebration on February 23, an unusual version in a "masculine" version is perfect. The choice of color should also be appropriate. It can be fabrics of any shades of green, blue, turquoise, gray, chocolate and others.

For a women's holiday, something light and gentle is needed. Here napkins folded into figures of flowers, for example, lilies or roses, will come in handy.

Such options are also suitable for girls. There is nothing more beautiful than this minimalism. Notice how the colors and textures are combined on the table.

You can use absolutely any item to decorate the table. They are decorated with fresh flowers, twigs, jewelry and even seashells. For tying napkins, fabric ribbons in color, ordinary twine, dense multi-colored threads, as well as silver or gold rings are perfect.

Napkin folding is an interesting activity for both adults and children. See what fun ideas you can bring to life with your child. These figurines tastefully complement a children's birthday or party.

This is how you can fold the napkin and in the shape of a dog. Decorate the napkin with a couple of black circles for the dog's eyes, an oval for his nose, and a few stripes for his eyebrows or whiskers.

Or in the shape of a fish. Also complement the napkin by finishing with a felt-tip pen or gluing a black dot - the eye.

You can also play with the arrangement of holiday paintings. Leave them on a plate or place them in a glass.

It is permissible to arrange napkins and pointwise on the table, arranging several pieces in one shape. This will allow each guest to take as many napkins as they need, and not be limited to just the amount that is at hand. Also, in this case, it will be possible to distribute thematic figures according to the status of guests, placing, for example, cool elements on the part of young people, modest rag "flowers" near respectable ladies and cheerful bunnies in the children's part of the table.

For information on how to beautifully fold napkins for table setting, see the next video.