The Tulip Fold is perfect for a spring brunch or summer afternoon tea. This fold is a nice addition to any table. Although there a few different ways to fold into a Tulip Fold, the first step is to always (always, always, always!) start with an ironed, starched napkin. If you don't, the napkin won't stay folded, it will fall over before you have finished and then you just have a mess. No one likes a mess.

Next, for the Tulip Fold, use a pretty, decorative napkin. Pastel colors or floral prints work best. Your choice should always coordinate with the theme of your event and place settings.

To start folding, begin with the napkin print side down. If the napkin does not have a print, place the side down which you want on the "outside" of the finished napkin. This will usually mean that the hemmed side (side with the stitches) will be face-up.

Fold the napkin in half, corner-to-corner. You should now have a triangle.

(Here is where the directions vary, depending on which end-result you want. Some instructions have you fold the napkin, then place it in a napkin ring. See below for varied instructions.)

Once you have a triangle, fold the top corner of the triangle down to the bottom of the triangle. Next, fold the bottom right corner up at an angle. Repeat with the left-side. The corners you folded should over-lap and create a new corner or point. Finally, take the flaps (created after folding the corners), open and fold back. You should now have a tulip. You can now place the folded napkin in the center of the plate at each setting.

Another variation is to fold in half corner-to-corner, as you did above. Again, you should have a triangle shape. Now, fold the right corner up to the center point. Repeat with the left side. Next, fold the right edge to the center line. Repeat with the left side. Pick up the napkin and fold in half, with the folds to the outside. Finally, gently open the napkin and lay on a flat surface, fold side down. The folds will fall flat. Some adjustments may be necessary to make the napkin appear even.

The napkin ring is a nice addition to any place setting and also good if you don't want to take the time to make the intricate folds required for a more traditional folded-napkin. Begin with an ironed, lightly starched napkin. Fold in half, corner-to-corner. Form a pleat at the center point, holding it flat. While holding the center pleat, create two more side pleats. Insert the point into a napkin ring, place on your table and arrange the folds.

Happy Entertaining!

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