Elegant Napkins

A must on any well-presented table, they impress and let guests know there’s something special on the way. Try any of these sophisticated designs and let the compliments begin.

Rolled Napkin

Fold the napkin in half horizontally and press along the folded edge to make a crease. Unfold; place napkin on a flat surface with the crease facing up. Roll napkin in from both ends toward the crease. Stand napkin in a tall glass to hold its shape.

Bistro Napkin

Fold the napkin in half diagonally to form a triangle. Next, fold the two corners toward the center point of the triangle to make a square with a slit down the middle. With the slit side up , fold the “closed” corner of the square up to the flapped corner to make another small triangle shape. Bend the middle of the triangle, prop the napkin up like a tent and center it on a plate.

Envelope Napkin

Fold the napkin in half diagonally to form a triangle. Fold in two corners along the fold and press one at a time. This envelope-style fold is ideal for hemstitched napkins or those with contrasting borders. A leaf or place card inserted or laid on top is a nice finishing touch.

Tips

Now that you have an idea of what you may do with the napkin as a table decoration, make sure you choose the type of napkin that will stand up well to your vision. Here are some pointers about the two most common types of napkins available today:

• Cloth napkins are usually heavyweight, sturdy, and hold up well against wear and tear. They are easily washed, dried, and reused, and are considered a common household napkin.
• Linen napkins are typically used in more formal settings or for an elegant meal. They have a little more flexibility but don’t always hold up as nicely as their cloth counterparts because they tend not to be as sturdy.

Want to find the perfect napkins for your tablescape? Find the style and color you’re looking for at Amazon.com.