by Glenda K. Fralin

Created on: February 19, 2009   Last Updated: February 20, 2009

I remember taking home economics class when napkin folding and the art of being a gracious hostess were part of the curriculum. My grandmother always had her table set perfectly with a cloth napkin. It may have been neatly rolled in a ring or folded, but it was never absent. Folding napkins has been lost on many of us. Most of us only see them in restaurants and formal dining.

Before writing this I had to rummage to find a cloth napkin. I actually do have a few that my daughter gave me with a table cloth for my dining room table. I pulled one out of storage and began practicing the lost art of folding a napkin.

The cuff fold can be done a couple of ways, and even taken to another level to become a basket or flower shape to add interest.

If you have folded a paper hat you are half way to the cuff fold napkin. In case anyone is wondering, I do not believe this would work with most paper napkins. It may be possible with a large thick paper napkin such as one may use for a wedding table, or lawn party.

With that said, the first step is to fold the square in half from tip to tip to make a triangle. For a taller more open peak a single such fold will do. If you wish a shorter and sturdier fold, you will want to half the triangle again.

Single triangle fold:

Fold the napkin once to make a triangle. Take hold of the folded edge and make a small fold toward the peak about two inches.

Turn the napkin over holding the fold you just made and fold it toward the peak again on the opposite side making a double fold of about two inches. This gives the cuff a finished look. Form the napkin into a circle by bringing the two ends of the cuff together and overlapping them.

There are two ways to make the napkin hold. One is to hold it together with a decorative clip of some sort. That is the easiest way, but not one you will likely get by with in a restaurant. The other way is to tuck one end around the other very carefully. Make sure to keep the peak centered.

With the above method the peak will be open. It can be kept as a peak or the tip may be folded down inside the napkin. For a more decorative appeal you can take the ends of the peak and separate them forming a pocket.

You may also fold the two ends of the peak down over the cuff on each side to make a basket of sorts. The basket fold gives you the opportunity to place a small gift or treat inside.

Double triangle fold:

The double fold makes for a shorter but sturdier and more finished looking napkin.

Fold the napkin tip to tip for a triangle fold as before. This time fold the first triangle into another triangle. Your peak will be much shorter with this method, but the peak will have a folded edge instead of an open edge.

Fold the first cuff from the bottom side about two inches. Turn it back upon itself holding the first cuff in place and fold the second cuff on the opposite side. As before you will bring the two ends together and overlap them. Then carefully tuck one end of the cuff into the other. Make sure your peak is centered nicely.

Many will cuff fold a large washcloth to place beside a sink or on the back of the commode in the bathroom. The principle is similar. The folded product gives an elegant look to room's dcor.
I would like to see the decorating of the dining table revived in our homes. Doing so not only gives a more formal and decorative appeal, it gives a feeling of care in the home. In our rat race lives coming home to a table set out so nicely is a reward.

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