How to Fold a Cloth Napkin

Fold your cloth napkin in a classic style

Cloth napkins are a classic touch for any meal. Cloth napkins are also better for the environment because they are reusable. Forget laying the napkin beside the plate or under the silverware. Try folding it in a classic style and placing it on your plate. Whether you are having a dinner party or dinner with the kids folding your cloth napkins will add a special look to your meal.

Things You'll Need

• Cloth napkins

Instructions

1. 

   Wash your cloth napkins. Pull them from the dryer before they get wrinkled. Lay them out flat on your table. Pull the top corner of the cloth napkin down until it meets the bottom corner. The napkin should now form a triangle. Move the top point of the triangle so it faces downward.

2. 

   Grab the left corner of the cloth napkin and pull it to the bottom. Do the same with the right corner. The cloth napkin should be in a diamond shape.

3. 

   Flip the napkin over. The point that has all the ends of the napkin should be at the top.

4. 

   Pull the bottom of the napkin up to the top. The cloth napkin should look like a triangle.

5. 

   Push the left and right edges together so that the middle of the cloth napkin stands up. You can leave the two sides slightly apart so that the napkin forms a triangle.

6. 

   Turn the napkin around so the two ends are facing backwards. Place the cloth napkin on your plate to complete your place setting. Repeat Steps 1 through 6 until all of your napkins are folded. Enjoy your meal!

Tips & Warnings

• To add some color try alternating cloth napkin colors. You can color coordinate them with the dishes to make place settings that catch the eye.

• If you want to add a name card to your place settings, you can nestle it in the front of the napkin. You can also add a dinner mint.

• You don’t have to use only traditional cloth napkins, try a bandanna for a BBQ dinner. Cloth napkins don’t have to be boring or stuffy.

• Some foods and drinks will stain cloth napkins. Use a darker color napkin for those foods.