I have always loved sprucing up a table with flowers, but this whole napkin folding thing is new for me. I first thought about it when a few of my friends and I were failing miserably at doing a special napkin fold. I decided I wanted to learn because it makes a table that much more attractive, and it's totally fun! This particular napkin fold is called the French Pleat. It will look great on your Thanksgiving table!
Two great places to buy inexpensive napkins are at TJ Maxx and Cost Plus/World Market. (Not sure why they have two names.) As you follow the steps below, don't be discouraged if you don't get it down right away. It takes practice, but the result is worth it.
Step 1.
Step 2.
Step3.
Step 1. Take a clean, pressed napkin and lay it down flat on a table. (Seam side down.) Then take the two bottom corners and bring them up to meet the two top corners forming a rectangle. Smooth the napkin down. (You can't do this too much when doing a special napkin fold.)
Step 2. Take the left edge and fold the napkin again to make a square.
Step 3. One at a time peel back each of the top 3 layers from top right corner down to the lower left corner, leaving the bottom layer in place. (Of course smoothing everything down.)
Step 4.
Step 5
Step 6.
Step 4. Take the top layer and fold it back so that it forms a slightly smaller triangle. Then tuck the tip of the triangle under the next layer.
Step 5. Fold the next layer so that it's edge is about 1/8 of inch from the first edge. Tuck in the tip of the 2nd corner as well. The picture below looks very similar to the picture in Step 6, but the top layer in Step 6 is about 1/2 inch away from the 2nd layer. (Clear as mud. Huh)
Step 6. Then take the top layer and fold it so that it's edge is about 1/8 inch from the edge of the second layer.
Step 7.
Step 8.
Step 9.
Step 7. Carefully turn the whole thing over. Step 8. On the right fold in 1/3 of the napkin. 9. On the right fold in the other 1/3. Smooth everything down.
Step 10.
Step 11.
Step 10 & 11. There you have a French pleat. Finally put your knife, fork and spoon into each pouch.