As soon as picnic and barbecue season is over, it's time to bring the party inside, and setting a pretty autumnal dinner table is one of the fun benefits that comes with cooler weather. Fancy napkin folding instantly elevates a meal. These pretty folded linen napkins with napkin rings, fresh flowers, leaves, berries and place cards are a sure way to make your guests feel welcomed.
One of the best parts of hosting a Thanksgiving meal is getting to set the scene with a beautiful dining room tablescape. There is a particular form of excitement that comes from taking out the china, flatware and your favorite linens for a special occasion. This year, fancy napkin folding is definitely on the table. But don't feel overwhelmed or intimidated if you are a beginner when it comes to linen napkin folding. Follow these step-by-step instructions for an elegant but easy napkin-folding tutorial and take your dinner parties to the next level.
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Things You'll Need
Large cloth napkins
Iron
Spray starch
Fresh flowers, leaves and berries
Start with a crisp, ironed napkin
Be sure to start with a crisp, pressed napkin. You can use a little spray starch to keep the creases sharp and clean.
Fold the napkin in half
With the crease at the bottom, fold the napkin in half.
Fold in half again
Fold the napkin in half again to the right so that creases are on the bottom and left side.
Fold down the top two layers
Fold down the top layer and tuck it under. Then, do the same with the next layer.
Fold the right-hand side under
Fold the right side under (the back) 2 inches.
Fold the left side under as well
Flip over the napkin and fold over the other side so that the two sides meet on the back.
Press the napkin
Press the napkin flat so that all the creases are crisp and sharp.
Tuck in flowers and more
Add flowers, leaves and berries to the folds and pleats on the dinner napkins. Play with colors and textures. One combination is pairing peach with a camel-colored dinner napkin for a modern fall table-setting palette.
Tip
You can get creative with your napkin-folding techniques. As an alternative to a metal place card holder, you could fold a place card in the folds so that the name is showing.
Other options for festive napkins
One option is to keep your fall palette modern and fresh by playing with copper, peach and camel. This works especially well if you are looking for an alternative to shades of orange and want to try something new with your DIY projects.
Keep a look out for colors that are catching your eye this season and that spark your creativity. If you are a fan of jewel tones, some gorgeous fall options include swapping amber for orange and citrine for yellow. Adding purple, amethyst, green or emerald can add a less traditional fall-themed pop of color. Matching fabric runners or runners with complementary colors can help bring the entire tablescape together.
Tip
While fresh florals are always beautiful, you could also check out the craft store for some artificial flowers. You can also accessorize with real or artificial cranberries and add some color. Add a garland of fall leaves as a colorful runner.
With a few simple folds and florals, you can create an eye-catching and sophisticated addition for your tablescape. Don't let folding cloth napkins feel intimidating or time-consuming; with a little practice, it will become a quick and easy part of your hosting routine. Your guests will feel welcomed and will notice the time, attention and creativity you have put into your dinner.