How to Fold a Napkin Into a Heart

Heart-Shaped Napkins

Napkin folding is an art that started centuries ago and has been a popular attraction of fine dining ever since. The trend continues today in many upscale dining establishments and exclusive events, but napkin folding doesn’t have to be for the rich and famous. Napkin folding can bring a little zing to any dinner or cocktail party and is an instant conversation starter for social events. This easy heart-shaped napkin technique is great for romantic events like weddings and Valentine’s Day, but can also be used for any small get together. Here’s how to make an easy heart-shaped napkin.

Things You'll Need

• Cloth napkins
• Paper towels
• Paper napkins
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Flat surface

Instructions

How to Fold a Napkin Into a Heart

1. 

   Start folding. Take your napkin or other serviette, like a paper towel or paper napkin, and fold it in half by pulling the bottom edges up toward the top like a newspaper. If you are using a cloth napkin, use your iron to press this seam. If using a paper napkin, make sure to press firmly along the crease.

2. 

   Fold in half again. Repeating the identical fold as in Step 1, pull the bottom edges toward the top and crease or iron press the new fold. You should now have a thin, long napkin.

3. 

   Make a center crease. Take the top and bottom corners of the right side and fold them over to the right side. Make a center crease and then re-open the napkin so that it looks exactly like it did in Step 3, but now has a center crease. You will use this center crease as a guide for Step 4.

4. 

   Make the outline of your heart. Using the center crease that you just made as a guide, pull the left side of the long napkin half way over to the right and up, so that it is perpendicular to the right section and its bottom is now a sharp point. This will form your first tower. Repeat this step on the right side so that you have a bottom point, two towers and a flat top.

5. 

   Turn the napkin over. The bottom of your napkin will have a triangle pocket. Take the smooth tops on both sections at the top and fold them down to meet the center crease. Release these folds, but use the new crease as a guide for Step 6.

6. 

   Make your heart. Using the crease on the right tower as a guide, fold the left and right corners to the crease, so that they make a small triangle. Repeat with the right tower. Crease or press with an iron.

7. 

   Finish your napkin. Turn the folded napkin over and voila! Now you should have a small heart-shaped napkin for your next dinner party, baby shower or Valentine’s Day dinner. Press one last time with your iron and you’re ready to go.

Tips & Warnings

• Press with an iron or tightly crease each fold. This will help your napkin's shape stay in place and create an easier guide for you to follow as you make your design.