Fabric napkins: manufacturing secrets, folding methods

The festive table is decorated not only with original dishes and exquisite drinks. Even the most ordinary napkins will help emphasize the joyful atmosphere. If you fold the napkins in a special way, you can turn even an ordinary family feast into a real celebration. For table setting, you can use paper or fabric napkins. The first type is ideal for a casual meal, while fabric ones are ideal for a more formal event. However, simply folding a piece of fabric in half is not enough. It's hard to surprise anyone with this. Unusual folding methods will help you decorate your feast effectively. More details about the choice of napkins and their folding methods are described in this publication.

To truly surprise guests with an original and interesting table setting, you can include an unusual folding of napkins.

Table design features

Table setting is a creative, exciting process. All family members can participate. This activity can be turned into an interesting game. The process of decorating a festive table includes everything: from selecting a tablecloth to arranging cutlery. The latter include napkins. They are an important means of hygiene and help decorate a celebration. They must be purchased and placed according to certain rules.

• To fold a napkin in an original way, you should choose its size correctly. Large size products would be ideal. They look better on the table and easily turn into extraordinary figures.
• The color of table textiles should be in harmony with the color of the tablecloth. It should be contrasting or the same. The color scheme should be chosen, additionally taking into account the interior features of the room.
• The napkins should be placed to the left of the appliance, directly on the plate. It is allowed to use fabric for folding cutlery: knives, spoons, forks.
• Along with fabric ones, there should be ordinary paper napkins on the table. Guests will use them to wipe their lips and hands after eating fatty foods. The fabric material allows fat to pass between the threads. Then it ends up on the guest's clothes.
• Textile products must be prepared before the feast. They should be washed and ironed thoroughly. The washing mode should be delicate. For serious, complex stains, the use of a stain remover is allowed.

How to beautifully fold napkins into a glass?

As we have already said, there are a large number of types of napkin designs. The simplest, but no less elegant, are the methods in which the handkerchief is placed in a wine glass, glass or glass. Thus, the product does not take up much space on the table and looks neat and unusual. The two most commonly used technologies are “horn” and “tulip”, you can see them in the photo below.

Choosing fabric

In shops and markets, textile products of different sizes, types, and price categories are sold for table setting. But it will be more effective to make cute napkins with your own hands. This is quite easy to do. The first stage of production is the choice of fabric. The fabric should be light, dense, wear-resistant. It must withstand a large number of washes and not lose its original appearance after several uses. Three types of fabric meet all of the above requirements. They are described in more detail in the table.

Interesting folding methods

It will be difficult to surprise guests with napkins modestly lying under the plate. Now it is fashionable to fold them into various shapes, flowers, and other extraordinary shapes. The following are the most popular options.

Lily

An original flower will decorate any holiday table

The starting position of the fabric is folded in half diagonally. The left and right corners are aligned with the vertex of the original triangle. Then you need to fold it in half, just bend the top of the triangle located at the top.

Scheme for assembling a lily from a fabric napkin

South Cross

The Southern Cross is an interesting and very simple fabric napkin layout that will fit perfectly into the decor of the dining table

The original form is face down. Bend all corners one by one. They should be facing the center. Then you need to turn the square over and bend the corners again. Then the upper right corner should be pulled out, followed by all the others.

Method of folding napkins “Southern Cross” step by step

Megaphone

Megaphone - a very simple way to design a paper or fabric napkin

Starting position - the material is folded in half twice. The result should be a very narrow rectangle. All sides of the rectangle should be folded down, and the figure should be turned to face away from you. You need to twist the ends into “balls” and connect them together.

Step-by-step diagram for folding a Megafon napkin

Junk

The Jonka method looks very impressive, especially at holidays with a marine theme.

Children will be delighted with this folding method. The finished figure is very reminiscent of a boat with sails. The original form is a fold on the right. The resulting rectangle must be folded in half again. Bend the bottom half diagonally, left and right corners forward. Bend the protruding corners. The resulting figure is folded backward along the longitudinal axis. The edges of the textile are used to make something like sails.

Step-by-step folding of napkins for the “Jonk” option, reminiscent of a ship

Handbag

Small but quite cute napkin “Handbag”

A good option when organizing a ladies' party. Each invited guest will be able to receive their own “bag”. The initial shape is vertically in half, then folded in half again from bottom to top. On the left, the upper corner needs to be folded towards the center. However, not all of it - only the first two layers. Do the same with the upper right corner. The result will be a small triangle. Bend it down, and the left and right corners - to the middle. Now this triangle needs to be folded onto the first one.

Scheme for folding a napkin step by step “Handbag”

Everest

A napkin served in the shape of the famous mountain looks intriguing

The starting shape is face down. Then the material needs to be folded into a rectangle, with the fold at the top. The upper corners are folded down - towards the middle, the sides of the resulting triangle are combined. Then the figure needs to be turned over, the lower corners bent. They will become a support. The figure is folded along a vertical axis and placed vertically on prepared supports.

A diagram that makes it easy to fold a napkin into a mountain shape

Horizontal sachet

A simple and classic way to fold a napkin “Horizontal sachet”

This option is the most practical. It allows you to beautifully and conveniently serve cutlery to guests. The napkin should be folded in half, the front side should be inside - this is the initial shape. The left and right upper corners need to be slightly bent down. This creates a central fold. Next, you need to turn the figure over and bend both sides. The sides should touch in the center. The figure needs to be folded the same way one more time.

Option for folding a napkin for cutlery “Horizontal sachet”

DIY serving napkins

Textiles have long been used to decorate home interiors. Even an ordinary white tablecloth can transform a table set for dinner and bring coziness to a family feast. This decorative element performs not only an aesthetic, but also a practical function.

Fabric option

Every housewife should be able to decorate the table in an interesting way for the arrival of guests. We will look at how to easily sew napkins with your own hands and fold them beautifully for table setting. First of all, you should prepare all the necessary materials and tools that may be needed during the work.

To make a fabric napkin for serving table we will need:

• scissors;
• cotton, linen or artificial fabrics;
• pins of different sizes;
• skein of thread for basting;
• sewing machine;
• iron.

Related article: Setting the table with taste: selection of dishes, cutlery and accessories [stylish sets]

The sewing process is as follows:

1. The dimensions of the product can be very different, in this case it is a square of 50 by 50 cm. Once you have decided on the parameters, mark them with a pencil on the fabric and draw the contours.
2. Now open out the desired part and bend one of the edges by 7 mm. Repeat the action three more times and iron all the corners around the perimeter of the resulting square.
3. Next, you need to make a second fold - to do this, turn one side a centimeter and smooth it with an iron. Do this with the adjacent side of the square, then walk around the entire perimeter of the future napkin.
4. Each corner needs to be unfolded and a line carefully drawn from the lower left corner to the upper right corner (diagonally). Repeat with the three remaining sides.
5. The drawn lines will help you cut the fabric evenly at the four corners. Fold those edges of the fabric that are located on both sides of the cut corner into the center. Smooth the top of the corner towards the center and make a second fold along the ironed lines.
6. We sew all folds with a basting stitch around the perimeter of the product. The edges should be smoothed using a regular straight seam on a sewing machine.

In the video: how to treat a corner on a tablecloth or napkin.

Crochet napkin set

Knitted napkins in a ring for table setting or individually create an atmosphere of well-being and comfort in the living room or dining room. Any novice craftswoman can knit such a product. By making home decorations with your own hands, you get pleasure from everyday little things. After all, a family dinner should be different from a lunch snack or breakfast on the run.

Crocheted napkins look elegant and homey. They are suitable for both holidays and everyday life.

It is not necessary to choose the most intricate napkin patterns, because they will be almost completely hidden under the plates. However, it wouldn’t hurt to starch the products so that they don’t lose their shape after the first feast.

The set of serving napkins for the tea table includes one large and six small handmade items. For production we used SOSO yarn (two skeins of white and dark brown) and a 1.5 Clover hook.

When knitting tightly, as shown in the example, there is no need to starch the finished product. The photo below shows a knitting pattern - it is suitable for a beginner level.

In the video: a beautiful crocheted napkin in 10 minutes.

Accessories

To make napkins a real highlight of the table setting, they can be decorated with original accessories. Accessories can be different: flowers, feathers, clips, rings. With the help of such decorative elements you can create an incredible composition. Use the following guidelines when selecting accessories.

• You should not decorate the feast with artificial flowers. It looks cheap and unattractive. It is better to give preference to fresh flowers, even inexpensive ones. Chamomile, fragrant rose, delicate lily will help create an incredible atmosphere at the table.
• Textile products can be personalized. This idea is relevant when organizing a wedding or birthday. Personalized napkins will be a very pleasant surprise. You can embroider names on the material yourself. For this purpose, contrasting threads are usually used. Another option is to put names out of rhinestones. This is a great party idea.
• Rings are an exquisite accessory. It will become indispensable during a dinner party or an important business event. The advantage of rings is their durability. This accessory is made from durable raw materials. It can be stored in a closet at home, waiting for the right opportunity. Rings come in different sizes and colors. You need to choose a model based on the color of the tablecloth, the interior features of the room, and the table. Every detail of the decor should be in harmony with the serving. Special clamps can be an excellent alternative to rings. Clamps are made in different shapes and colors. They look quite elegant.
• Satin ribbons. Bright satin ribbons go well with beautiful textiles. This is the easiest, most inexpensive way to decorate a table. You just need to tie napkins folded into an interesting shape with ribbons. Additionally, the ribbons can be decorated with rhinestones. They are simply glued to the surface using quick-drying glue.

Decoration options

To impress your guests, napkins can be used to make incredible decorations. Textiles will need to be starched and ironed first. Paper ones are originally placed in napkin holders.

Paper napkins can be folded in half into a tube. Complex compositions in the form of cylinders, cones, and candles are very popular. For home gatherings, such options are not required. In such cases, it is better to give preference to simpler options.

Before decorating the table with napkins, you need to wash and dry your hands thoroughly. It’s better to touch them less during the process.

For ceremonial serving, unusual folding methods are more suitable: flowers, fan, crown, butterfly. It is best to choose based on the reason for the feast. For a woman's birthday, flowers are suitable; for a man's holiday, you can give preference to a crown. For your wedding day, you can roll up textile napkins and decorate them with a special ring.

When choosing napkins, you need to remember the harmonious combination of colors in the table setting. It is better to select shades to match the tone of the overall color scheme. If the tablecloth is a single-colored deep shade, then dishes and napkins must be chosen in white or beige tones.

When choosing the color of napkins, it is worth considering the setting, the reason for the event, the shades of the tablecloth and dishes.

White table napkins are a harmonious solution in any situation. When giving preference to bright shades, you should remember their ability to influence a person’s emotional background. For example, red and yellow give a joyful mood, blue and green will help you tune in to a business conversation.

When serving, consider the following recommendations:

1. Using paper napkins, you can lay out any shape or pattern in the center of the table.
2. When rolling up products, it is worth considering so that they can easily unfold and return to their original form when guests wish to use them for their intended purpose.
3. Now stores offer many themed paper napkins for birthdays, New Years and other holidays. It is entirely acceptable to decorate the table with such options if they correspond to the purpose of the event.

A festive combination of colors implies the presence of bright, rich or white plain napkins. One of the classic ceremonial shades is white. Its combination with other colors will help emphasize the direction of the celebration.

Home events allow colored napkins for the festive table with drawings, patterns, and themed paper options. This is especially true for children's parties. There is an abundance of paper products with cartoon characters and animals on store shelves.

You can use paper napkins to place a shape in the center of the table.

When folding products, make sure that they unfold easily

Home events allow themed paper options

Rules for using cutlery

In order for the evening to be amazing, each guest and family member must follow certain rules of behavior at the table. We are taught this from early childhood. The child is taught how to hold a fork and use a spoon correctly. However, few people explain the rules for using napkins. They also exist.

1. Do not wipe your mouth or hands with cloth. There are several reasons for this. One of the main ones is that stains from fatty foods will remain on such material. It doesn't look nice.
2. Napkins made of cotton, linen, or satin should be placed on your knees and tucked behind your collar. The choice will depend on the norms accepted in society.
3. The main purpose of fabric products is to protect guests' clothing. They will reliably protect your outfit from crumbs from the table and random stains.
4. You can only place a napkin on your lap after the owner of the house. This is the norm of etiquette. It is also not customary to start a meal without the hosts. If, after unrolling, the towel turns out to be too long, you can turn up one corner.
5. At the end of the meal, all cutlery must be left on the table. You can put a napkin near the plate. You should not leave it on a chair or directly on a platter.