One Napkin, 15 Ways to Fold It Beautifully

By Alexandra Churchill of Martha Stewart Living

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Beautifully folded napkins set the scene for a meal to remember. They serve both a practical purpose—by tucking in utensils, displaying menu cards—and purely for decorative flair by completing the theme in the place setting. To inspire you, we present over a dozen ways to spiff up a plain napkin.

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Bow Tie Napkin

Here, a pretty bow adds playfulness to the table. To make, spread a dinner napkin out, lying flat. Fold opposite sides in so they meet at the center. Then fold horizontally again at the center to form a narrow, ribbon-like shape. Next, fold short ends in so they meet at the center. Cinch in the middle with a ribbon in a coordinating color, and glue at back. Voila!
Photography: Alpha Smoot

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Angled Pocket Napkin Fold

This is easy as 1, 2, 3! Start with a square dinner napkin and give it a three-way fold for an elegant angled pocket. It's handy for tucking flatware, a place card, or a printed menu.

Get the Angled Pocket Napkin Fold How-To
Photography: Alpha Smoot

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Knotted Napkin

This couldn't be easier: knot a patterned napkin and set it off-center on the plate. Pair your loosely knotted napkin with a handwritten place card.

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Photography: Manal Aman

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Turkey Napkin

For a Thanksgiving feast, this triple-napkin turkey with a fanning tail makes a bold statement from the moment your guests sit at the table.

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Photography: Shanna Sullivan

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Christmas Tree Napkin

Make things merry at your holiday table with a tabletop tannenbaum. This one—with its upturned folds resembling evergreen boughs—is topped with a star "topper" that serves as the place card.

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Photography: Debi Traub

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Four-Leaf Clover Napkin

Green isn't limited to shamrocks and leprechauns. At your epic spread, fold these four-leaf clover napkins.

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Photography: Chelsea Cavanaugh

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Easter Bunny Napkin

Some magicians pull rabbits out of hats; others conjure them from the linen closet. Do a little sleight of hand (see our folding guide, below) and — presto, chango — you've whipped up a stylish Easter tabletop that lets guests know they're somebunny special.

Get the Easter Bunny Napkin Fold How-To
Photography: Alpha Smoot

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Wrapped Napkin

Fold a napkin in thirds, wrap it around the plate, and tuck the ends under — you're done! Pair a botanical accent, like a faux or dried branch spray-painted gold, with an unfussy band.

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Photography: Victor Schrager

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Rose Napkin

This fold is favored by the legendary French chef Auguste Escoffier. It's also a really impressive vehicle for hot, fresh-from-the-oven dinner rolls.

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Photography: Victor Schrager

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Lotus Napkin

Also called the water lily or the artichoke, this fold will be familiar to anyone who has ever made a paper fortune teller. The center provides the perfect spot to place a dinner roll, party favor, or place card.

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Photography: Bryan Gardner

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Lover's Knot Napkin

At first glance, two linens are folded to become one. But it's really just one linen napkin. In light of its romantic name, this design is lovely for a wedding or anniversary celebration.

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Photography: Bryan Gardner

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Envelope Napkin

Simple yet sophisticated, this design is perfect for sealing a printed menu, a party favor, or ... who knows? It's up to you. Lift the flap, and your guests are impressed with a hidden surprise.

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Pocket Fold

A folded napkin isn't solely decorative. This particular fold allows your napkin to do double-duty: You can tuck inside a printed menu, a set of utensils, or even a handful of tasty appetizer breadsticks.

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Pinwheel Napkin

For a casual gathering in the backyard, might we suggest this whimsical pinwheel? A bandanna, neatly folded and ironed flat, becomes part of a rustic-themed place setting.

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Modern Napkin

Give your guests something pleasant to behold—and unroll—with one of these striking contemporary napkin folds.

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