Ever wished you could accomplish those fancy napkin folds that magically turn a piece of ordinary fabric into a wonderful swan, or elustrous fanned creation? Well, wish no more! We’ve done the hard work for you and found some of the best napkin folding videos on the planet. After a little practice, you’ll be whipping up a bishop’s hat in no time - that’s a napkin fold by the way. You don’t need to go bothering any bishops.

First, A Little History…

Napkin folding really only came into fashion during the early 1800s when decorative folded creations were used to adorn the tables or royalty, and other upper classes. It was during the Industrial Revolution in around 1880 that the artform really took off. If you can find a copy of Mrs Beeton’s Book Of Household Management published in 1861, you’ll find lots of information on early napkin folding, with many of the classics referenced in her book still in use today.

Today, you’ll find folded napkin designs on many restaurant tables, and even though there is skill in folding a napkin, there is one secret we can let you in on - you need to start with a starched, pressed and crisp napkin to get the best results. Fortunately, it’s what we specialise in, and so hiring your napkins from Linen Rental is a great start on your journey towards becoming a napkin folder extraordinaire!

1. The Bishop’s Hat

We thought we’d start with one we’ve mentioned already, and which is often seen in the UK. The bishop’s hat is a classic napkin fold that looks great standing up or lying down.

2. The Rose

This has to be our favourite napkin fold of all. Not only does it look impressive, but it looks like you spent a long time crafting it when actually it can be achieved in just 6 steps. It’s the perfect napkin fold when you want to impress, and will look great on a wedding table with white, ivory or darker coloured fabrics.

3. Bird Of Paradise

The bird of paradise napkin fold is one of the more advanced, but it does look amazing. If you are planning a summer event, or an event with a tropical or beach theme, this napkin fold using bright coloured napkins will look fantastic on each place setting. It might take longer to master, but the results will be worth it.

4. The Silverware Pouch

This is a great way to display and hold cutlery, and will look great too. Not only do they look great on formal table settings, but they are also very handy for outdoor events where you are using plastic cutlery and good quality paper napkins. They are also very easy to put together quickly once you know what to do.

5. The Elf Shoe

Yes, you did read that right. You can turn an ordinary napkin into a cute little elf shoe. This is a great way to decorate a Christmas table, especially since you can pop little favours into the top of the shoe. You’ll need a bit more patience with this one, but this is a great design to add to your napkin folding repertoire, and will definitely be a talking point!

Start With The Best Possible Blank Canvas

As we mentioned before, to get the best from your napkin folding, you need the best quality napkin. We have a great selection available in a wide range of colours, and we would be delighted to arrange delivery to suit your needs.