Crystal Napkin Rings

I've been to parties where the hostess took extra time to decorate her table and make it look really special. The napkins were folded into pretty shapes, and added to the feeling of the setting. Have you ever seen a napkin folded so beautifully that you didn't want to use it? The napkin folds I have found and used are not complicated or hard, and you will be happy with the results.

Here's what you need:

Cloth napkins, you pick out the colors for your setting.
Simple or decorative napkin rings, or you can choose ribbon or a raffia bow.
An iron, some folds look neater if you have an iron handy.
Yourself and a little bit of time.

Scarf Napkin Fold

Use a napkin ring, ribbon, or raffia bow to secure this fold
Iron napkins flat first to avoid folded creases
Lay napkin flat and grasp center point.
Holding the center, let the points fall into folds.
Have napkin ring ready
Insert into napkin ring.
Arrange folds as desired

Traditional Napkin Fold

Use a napkin ring, ribbon, or raffia bow to secure this fold.
Iron napkins flat first to avoid folded creases
Fold napkin in quarters. Set on a diagonal with the folded center portion at the top.
Make 2-4 small pleats on each side of the napkin, about 4" from the top.
Have napkin ring ready
Insert the top four inches of the napkin into napkin ring so the "wings" of the napkin can be spread out.
Arrange folds as needed to be attractive.

Rolling Napkin Fold

You'll need a napkin ring, ribbon, or raffia bow to secure this fold.
Fold napkin in quarters. Set on a diagonal with the folded center portion at the top and all open edges at the bottom.
Begin rolling each side toward the center, making 2 long rolls (this will be the back).
Have napkin ring ready.
Insert the roll into a napkin ring and turn over so smooth side is up.

Goblet Fan Fold

Have goblets already set out
Lay the napkin flat.
Begin accordion folding from the bottom, all the way up to the top. Make each fold about 3/4" - 1" wide.
Fold the pleated napkin in half.
Insert the napkin into the goblet, folding the first inch or so under to keep pleats secure.
Unfold the pleats and shape into a fan. Interlock the two center pleats if needed to keep the fan intact.

Knotted Napkin Fold

Lay the napkin flat on a diagonal.
Bring the top half down to form a triangle with the fold across the top.
Beginning at the bottom, start rolling the napkin up.
Roll all the way up to the folded edge.
Fold roll in half in preparation for tying the knot.
Loop end through and loosely tie a knot.

Tailored Napkin Fold

Lay the napkin out flat.
Fold the bottom half up so the fold is at the bottom.
Fold again, so the napkin is folded in quarters.
Take 2 of the 4 corners and fold them down at an angle.
Roll or fold them under to make a fold about 1-2" wide.
Fold the other 2 corners to the back, an inch or two above the first fold.
Fold the pointed sides toward the back, forming the finished fold.
Silverware can be inserted into the "pocket" if desired.

I was also a banquet waitress for about five years and the wait staff and I used these folds continuously for parties, weddings, and meetings. They really do add a nice touch to any occasion.