Olla-Podrida: cloth napkins

Sunday, August 10, 2014

In the second of what I expect to be a series of lessons on how to fold napkins (the first is here if you missed it) is this very dramatic, beautiful rose and leaf fold that is so easy you will not believe it. I pressed it after each step, but I honestly don't think that is necessary. I also used napkins that have seriously gotten out of square (as napkins tend to do) and it didn't matter one bit. It does take two napkins and one of them rather needs to be green for the leaves, although a fall flower would look good with leaves in any of the fall hues, so experiment with what you have and see what works for you.

Let's begin...

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Sunday, July 27, 2014

Napkin Folding 101

I have a bit of mini obsession with cloth napkins. I love them, and buy them with reckless abandon. I love plain ones, patterned ones, lace-edged ones, linen, cotton, you name it. Napkins are my Achilles heel. But when you think about it, most napkins come as a part of a set that generally includes a beautiful and, perhaps, expensive tablecloth. Buying a set of napkins can give you the luxury of owning a beautiful part of a set that you might otherwise not be able to afford. That's the way I look at it anyway.

I have an equal amount of patterned napkins as I do plain ones, and I love to mix and match. What they do to a table is a marvelous thing. A carefully placed cloth napkin can make a grilled cheese and tomato soup lunch feel elegant. A beautiful fold can do the same thing, and it is deceptively easy.

In the following photos I am going to show you, step by step, how to fold a napkin in the “Iris” style that can transform a table from plain to fancy with this simple addition. It always draws appreciative comments, and only you and I will know just how simple it is. Follow these instructions and then come back and tell me about all of the compliments you received.