Howcast

How to Fold Napkins the French Way

Howcast — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:03:54 +0000

Step 1: Iron the napkin Iron the napkin.
TIP: For an especially crisp look, use starch.
Step 2: Fold in half Fold the napkin in half diagonally and then shift it so that the long side is on the left.
Step 3: Pull corner down Take the top corner and pull it down toward you, to the right of the bottom tip, until the two tips are about four inches apart.
Step 4: Fold again Fold the top-most point over until you have three even sections.
Step 5: Drape Drape the finished product over the dinner plate.
FACT: In ancient Rome, the main purpose of the napkin was to wipe one’s brow during meals eaten in the hot sun.

Howcast — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:03:54 +0000

Step 1: Iron the napkin Iron the napkin.
TIP: For an especially crisp look, use starch.
Step 2: Make a triangle Lay the napkin flat, facedown. Fold it in half to form a triangle.
Step 3: Fold corners and sides Fold the right and left corners over so they meet in the middle. Then fold the sides over until the meet in the middle again.
Step 4: Bring up the rear Fold the bottom up so you have a rectangle at the bottom and a triangle at the top.
Step 5: Fold the flap Fold both pieces of the triangular flap down over the rectangle. Voila! An envelope.
FACT: The idea of napkins began in ancient Greece with the Spartans, who put lumps of raw dough on the dinner table so diners could wipe their fingers on it.

Howcast — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:03:54 +0000

Step 1: Starch the napkin Iron the napkin with starch.
Step 2: Fold into quarters Lay the napkin facedown. Fold it into quarters and position it so the four open flaps are at the top right.
Step 3: Roll down layers Roll the top-most layer of napkin diagonally down until it reaches the center of the napkin, and crease.
Step 4: Repeat Repeat with the next two layers, rolling them down until they meet the previous roll.
TIP: Iron the creases for sharper edges.
Step 5: Flip it over Flip the napkin over so the closed side is on the right. Fold the closed side back about one-third of the way, and then fold the open side back on top of the first fold.
Step 6: Insert utensils Turn the napkin over again and insert utensils into the pouch.
FACT: In ancient Rome, the main purpose of the napkin was to blot one’s brow during meals eaten in the hot sun.

Howcast — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:03:54 +0000

Step 1: Starch the napkin Iron the napkin with starch.
Step 2: Fold diagonally Fold the napkin in half diagonally so that you have an upside-down triangle.
Step 3: Raise tip Bring the bottom point up so the tip is about an inch over the edge.
Step 4: Fold accordion-style Fold the napkin from one end to the other, accordion-style.
Step 5: Insert in glass Insert the bottom into a wine glass or a napkin ring.
FACT: In the Middle Ages, diners often used a piece of bread to wipe their hands and mouths.

Howcast — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:03:54 +0000

Step 1: Iron the napkin Iron the napkin.
TIP: For an especially crisp look, use starch.
Step 2: Fold diagonally Fold the napkin diagonally into a triangle.
Step 3: Fold sides Fold each side over so the bottom points meet the top point.
Step 4: Flip it Flip the napkin over, keeping the open end away from you, then take the top and fold it so the top point meets the bottom.
Step 5: Fold along center seam Flip the napkin over again, and fold it along the center seam.
Step 6: Stand it up Stand up your pretty pyramid.
FACT: The saying “to make ends meet” came from the 18th-century practice of tying a napkin around one’s neck to protect a ruffled collar.