The Candle Napkin Fold

How to fold napkins like a pro

	The Candle Napkin Fold So you want something easy and elegant? Something that looks nice and fancy but doesn't take a boat-load of time? Try this one on for size.
	1. Lay the napkin face down in front of you.
	2. Fold the napkin in half diagonally.
	3. Orient the napkin so the open ends point away from you.
	4. Fold the long side up just about an inch. Press this fold down well or it will interfere with the next step.
	5. Starting at either end, tightly roll the napkin into a cylinder. Take care to roll it straight so it will stand solidly.
	6. Tuck the end of the roll into the base on the backside and stand it up. Put those matches down, it's not a real candle. Jeesh, you're just like a child.

The standing fan napkin fold

Folding cloth napkins

	The Standing Fan Napkin Fold Elegant and decorative, this is a classic napkin folding technique. As usual, and iron helps but is not necessary.
	1. Lay the napkin face-down in front of you.
	2. Fold the napkin in half and orient the open end towards you.
	3. Fold the napkin like an accordion starting at either narrow end. Leave one end with 2-3 inches of unfolded napkin to support the standing fan.
	4. Fold the napkin in half with the accordion folds on the outside.
	5. Grasp the unfolded corners where they meet on the open end and fold them in diagonally, tucking them under the accordion folds.
	6. Open it and stand it up. A beautiful fan for a beautiful dinner.

cone napkin fold

Folding dinner napkins

	The Cone Napkin Fold This nice napkin design originated from the napkin-worshiping indians native to Guam called the dirty-wipey-nappies...or not. An iron will be helpful.
	1. Lay the napkin face down in front of you.
	2. Fold the napkin in half diagonally.
	3. Orient the napkin so the open corner faces away from you.
	4. Fold the left-most corner diagonally so the point rests on top of the far corner.
	5. Repeat the last step with the right side, bringing this fold evenly along to the last one.
	6. Turn the napkin over, keeping the open ends pointing away from you.
	7. Evenly fold the bottom third of the napkin up and press the it down well. An iron may be needed here.
	8. Fold both the left and right sides back and underneath the napkin evenly to create the finished product seen here. That looks so nice I bet you just can't wait to smear food on it!

The pyramid napkin Fold

Folding cloth napkins

	The Pyramid Napkin Fold This classy napkin folding technique is simple, fast, and can be made easily with most napkins. If the napkin being used is thin and flops easily then iron it with light starch prior to folding and it will turn out perfectly!
	1. Lay the napkin face down in front of you.
	2. Fold the napkin in half diagonally.
	3. Rotate the napkin so the open end faces away from you.
	4. Fold the right end up to meet the far corner, ensuring the edge of this new fold lays on the centerline as shown.
	5. Repeat the last step with the left side, folding the left tip up to the far corner, creating a diamond shape with a seam running down the center.
	6. Turn the napkin over, keeping the open end facing away from you.
	7. Fold the napkin in half by bringing the farthest point of the diamond up and back to the nearest point.
	8. Turn the napkin over again, this time keeping the open end facing towards you.
	9. Fold the napkin along the center seam and you have a neat, sturdy pyramid. If your napkin won't stand neatly then you

napkin folding

Free napkin folding instructions

	The Bird Of Paradise Napkin Fold This is a classic and classy napkin folding technique that requires a stiff napkin. If you don't have any dinner napkins made of stiff linen then a light starching should fix you right up.
	1. Lay the napkin face down in front of you.
	2. Fold the napkin in half.
	3. Fold the napkin in quarters.
	4. Fold the napkin in half diagonally, creating a triangle.
	5. Orient the triangle so the open tip is facing away from you.
	6. Fold the right corner diagonally towards you - laying it down along the centerline of the triangle, making a new tip pointing towards you. An iron can make this important fold a whole lot easier.
	7. Do the same with the left corner, fold it diagonally toward you and press it down next to the previous fold. Now you have a diamond, you're rich! Yay!.
	8. Fold the two "wings" that you just made in folds 6 and 7 under so that you have your original triangle shape back. Once again an iron can make a world of difference.
	9. Fold the triangle in half by bringing the center seam towards you and allowing the ends to fall.
	10. This bird's almost ready to fly, but first you must give it some feathers. While holding the base firmly to keep your folds together, pull up the four 'flaps' created by the napkin's corners.
	Pretty cool fold, isn't it? It makes you wonder if there are people sitting around in basements performing experimental napkin folds while the rest of us are sleeping. This fold can be difficult if you don't use an iron or have a fairly stiff napkin so be prepared to put a few minutes into making each one.

Napkin Folding Demonstration - Real time

"We are like children, who stand in need of masters to enlighten us and direct us; and God has provided for this, by appointing his angels to be our teachers and guides."