Make Your Own Creatively Folded Napkins 
(Thanks to www.napkinfoldingguide.com for the text and photos. Please visit their website for more creative folding!)

1. Necktie Napkin Fold
2. Shirt Napkin Fold
3. Fancy Silverwear Pouch
4. Crown Napkin Fold
5. Rose Napkin Fold

NECKTIE NAPKIN FOLD
The larger the napkin, the longer the tie! An iron will help to make this crisp and tidy.

1. Lay the napkin face-down so that one of the corners points towards you. 

2. Starting at the upper tip, fold the right side about 1/3 of the way diagonally to the left. Don't press the fold down yet.

3. Repeat the last step with the left side and then adjust so that both sides are symmetrical. Press down the folds.

4. Starting from the upper tip, fold the right side in about 1/3 of the way. This is similar to what we did in the last two steps. Don't press it down yet.

5. Repeat the last fold along the left side and adjust for symmetry. When you're happy with the shape of your tie, press the folds down.

6. Fold the upper 1/3 of the tie diagonally to the right so the tip of the tie is perpendicular to the lower part.

7. Turn the tie over so the tip is now pointing left.

8. Wrap the tip around the top of the tie and tuck it in underneath to create the knot. Now you have your very own clever necktie napkin!

SHIRT NAPKIN FOLD
This is a neat napkin to go with the Necktie Fold. You'll definitely need an iron for this one!
 

1. Lay the napkin face-down in front of you.  

2. Fold the two right corners of the napkin diagonally so the tips meet at the center.  

3. Fold the two left corners of the napkin diagonally so the tips meet the other two in the center.  

4. Fold the right side over so its edge rests on the napkin's center-line.

5. Fold the left side over to meet the last fold at the center-line of the napkin.

6. Turn the napkin over.

7. Fold the top 1/4" to 1" down and press it with your iron. This will form the collar of the shirt.

8. Flip the napkin over again. 

9. Fold both upper corners in diagonally, so the points meet in the center at an angle. This forms the front collar of the shirt.  

10. Take hold of the two corners in the center of the napkin's near side and fold them up and out diagonally, so that the edges are almost parallel to the folds at the far end. These will become the sleeves.

11. Take hold of the near end of the napkin, and fold it up towards the collar, tucking it underneath the lower points of the collar and pressing it down with your iron. Place on a plate alone...

...or match it with the Necktie Napkin for the total effect! 

(Image from Napkin Origami: 25 Creative and Fun Ideas for
Napkin Folding by Brian Sawyer) 

FANCY SILVERWEAR POUCH
This is easy and elegant. You'll need an iron for this one as well.

1. Lay the napkin face-down in front of you.

2. Fold the napkin in half and turn the open end towards you.

3. Fold the napkin into quarters.

4. Turn the napkin so the open corner is facing away from you and to the right.

5. Roll the top layer of napkin diagonally down to the center and press it flat.

6. Roll the next layer down until it meets the first layer and press it flat.

7. Repeat Step 6.

8. Turn the napkin over.

9. Fold the right side back about 1/3 of the way and press it down.

10. Fold the left side back about halfway and press.

11. Flip the napkin over and insert silverwear.

CROWN NAPKIN FOLD
For this you'll need a well-starched napkin, otherwise it'll look saggy and untidy.  You'll also need an iron for pressing the folds.

1. Lay the napkin face-down in front of you.

2. Fold the napkin in half diagonally.

3. Turn the napkin so the open ends are pointing away from you. 

4. Fold the right corner up so that the point rests directly on top of the middle corner. The edge of this new flap should lay on the center line of the napkin.

5. Repeat Step 4 on the other side, bringing the left-most corner up to meet the middle-corner, creating a diamond shape.

6. Fold the bottom of the napkin up about 3/4 of the way and press this fold down well.  

7. Fold the smaller triangle down so the point rests on the near edge of the napkin. Press.  

8. Curl the left and right sides of the napkin up so they meet in the middle. Tuck one into the other.

9. Stand the napkin up and adjust where needed to even it out.

ROSE NAPKIN FOLD
Despite looking fairly elaborate, this fold is an easy one, and it can be done with almost any variety of napkin. You can place small bowls or glasses on top of these, or use them as novelty cocktail napkins.

1. Lay the napkin face-down in front of you. 

2. Fold the two right corners of the napkin in so the tips meet at the center.

3. Fold the remaining two corners of the napkin in so the tips meet with the last two in the center.

4. Once again, fold the outer corners in so they meet at the center.

5. Once all of the tips are folded you have a square about 1/4 the size of the unfolded napkin.  

6. Flip the napkin over.

7. Fold the corners in so they meet in the center and then place something sturdy in the center, or hold it with your fingers.

8. While maintaining downward pressure in the center of the napkin, reach underneath each corner and pull out the flaps to create petals.  

9. Remove the center weight and your rose should look like this.

10. Reach underneath the center of each side and pull out a second set of petals. Place a glass or a small bowl in the center and you're done!

If you've enjoyed the information on this page, please consider buying my novel Cold Play. The story is set on a cruise ship in Alaska, and the crafts on this page were inspired by the daily passenger activities which take place on board the ship. 

In Cold Play, Jason Davey has literally run away to sea after the death of his makeup artist wife, finding work as a contract entertainer aboard a much-adored but soon-to-be-retired cruise ship, the Star Sapphire.But when three people from his past come board as passengers, Jason's routine week-long trip to Alaska becomes anything but.

Cold Play by Winona Kent