Monday, October 13, 2014

Review: Top 100 Step-by-Step Napkin Folds


Not only do I collect cookbooks, but I also collect books on napkin folding. As someone who obviously enjoys setting pretty tables, I find such books invaluable. You might be surprised just how many of them are out there, I know I certainly was. They run the gamut from being ridiculously easy to shockingly complex. And while I use each one of the napkin folding books that I have, the absolute best of the lot is the one by Denise Vivaldo, Top 100 Step-by-Step Napkin Folds, recently sent to me by the publisher for review.
As the title indicates, it contains concise instructions and step-by-step photos for a hundred different folds. One hundred!  It is divided into easy, intermediate, and advanced folds, and further separated by occasion. Imagine wanting to have a Mexican Fiesta and having a napkin fold to fit in with that theme.  Christmas coming up?  No problem, fold your napkins into a stocking or a tree. Mother's Day? Fold napkins into small purses and put a sweet, loving note to mom inside. Some of my favorite folds are in the categories of Afternoon Tea and Hawaiian Luau; it seems well worth planning one or other event, just to display some of the darling folds. 
There is also a small section on how to embellish napkins should you be weary of the ones that you have, and hope to dress them up a little. Instructions will help you learn to embellish edges and monogram.

This book employs the use of single and double napkins, along with a number of folds that will allow you to put to use your vast collection of napkins rings. Or maybe I'm the one with the vast collection of napkin rings. No matter. Now you will actually be able to show them off and your napkin folding skills at the same time. An Entertaining Diary at the back is where you can record the details of every party so as not to duplicate in the future.  Invaluable!
A wire binding that is hidden behind a hard cover allows it to fit nicely on your shelves and still lie flat when you are working on your folds. 

This book is a must have.

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2 comments:

Lulu said...

I'm crazy for napkin folds xo I will have to check this book out and see if it adds anything new to the books I already have. Oh, one can never have too many cookbooks!

Kathy said...

Oh, I would have so much fun with this book - I'll have to check it out! I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy