1.The Single Pocket Fold
2. Napkin Fold: Three Point "Hat"
3. Napkin Fold: Cuffed Roll
4. Napkin Fold: Tulip Fold
5. Napkin Fold: A Cat's Paw
6. Napkin Fold: Traditional Fold
7. Napkin Fold: Knotted Fold
8. Candle Fan Goblet
9. Napkin ring folding
10. The Fancy Silverware Pouch
11. The Standing Fan Napkin Fold
12. The Bird Of Paradise Napkin Fold
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13. The Christmas Tree Fold
14. The Elf Shoe Napkin
15. The Rose Fold
16. The Pyramid Fold
17. The Fan Fold
18. Cone Fold
19. The French Napkin Fold
20. The Sail Napkin Fold
21. The Crown Fold
22. The Candle Napkin Fold
23. Diamond Silverware Pouch
24. The Fleur de Lys Goblet Fold
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1. The Single Pocket Fold This fold is often seen on buffet tables. The pocket can hold silverware, a placecard, decoration, or tiny gift. Be aware that the fold may not stay intact unless the napkin is crisply starched and ironed. In the alternative, secure it with a ribbon tied under the pocket to help keep silverware from slipping out when carried. POCKET NAPKIN FOLD Leave this fold plain, or embellish by filling the pocket with a flower.
Step 1: Lay the napkin out flat.
Step 2: Fold the left half over so the fold is at the left.
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Step 3: Fold up the bottom edge about 4".
Step 4: Fold up again 4". This view shows the right side (where silverware will be inserted into the pocket. Now, turn the napkin over and fold in each side to the center. Insert one of the back edges inside of the other to secure the folds.
Finished Fold Turn to the right side and insert silverware into the "pocket".
2. Napkin Fold: Three Point "Hat" THREE POINT HAT NAPKIN FOLD Here's an easy decorative fold that's often seen in restaurants.
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Step 1: Lay the napkin out flat on the diagonal.
Step 2: Fold the bottom half up so the fold is at the bottom.
Step 3: Lift each of the 2 side points up to the top center point.
Step 4: The napkin should now look like this.
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Step 5: Turn the napkin over.
Step 6: Fold the bottom half up to form a triangle. This will be the front of the napkin.
Step 7: Turn the napkin over.
Step 8: Bring the 2 side corners to the center and fold one inside of the other to secure the fold.
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Step 9: Again turn the napkin over to the front.
Finished Fold Fold down the 2 ends to form the 3 points.
3. Napkin Fold: Cuffed Roll This fold is best accomplished using a crisply starched napkin and will stand upright if desired. CUFFED ROLL NAPKIN FOLD This napkin fold is simple and takes up little space on a holiday table.
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Step 1: Lay the napkin out flat on the diagonal.
Step 2: Fold the bottom half up so the fold is at the bottom.
Step 3: At the bottom edge, fold under about 1-2", toward the back.
Step 4: At one side begin rolling the napkin.
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Step 5: Continue rolling all the way across.
Step 6: At the back, secure the left point into the folded cuff.
Finished Fold Turn the napkin over for the finished fold.
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4. Napkin Fold: Tulip Fold Anyone can do this simple design. Insert a loosely folded napkin into a decorative napkin ring TULIP NAPKIN FOLD Here's another beautiful napkin fold that is easy and pretty.
Step 1: Fold the napkin in half on the diagonal.
Step 2: Holding the bottom center point fairly flat, form a center pleat.
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Step 3: Still holding the bottom center point fairly flat, form 2 side pleats. Tip: Have the napkin ring ready.
Finished Fold Insert the bottom into the napkin ring. Place on your table and adjust the folds.
5. Napkin Fold: A Cat's Paw Although it can be folded with a soft fabric napkin as shown here, you may prefer using a starched napkin with ironed folds for a crisper look. CAT'S PAW NAPKIN FOLD Use a crisp starched napkin and iron each fold for a more precise looking napkin fold.
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Step 1: Lay the napkin out flat. Iron flat for best results.
Step 2: Begin folding each of the 4 corners to the center point.
Step 3: The napkin should now look like this, with the 4 points in the center.
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Step 4: Again, fold each of the 4 corners into the center.
Step 5: The napkin should look like this. Tip: Iron flat if desired.
Step 6: Turn the napkin over.
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Step 7: Once again, fold each of the corners into the center. Tip: Iron if desired.
Step 7: Hold the center firmly.
Step 8: Now, reach underneath each corner and pull out the loose edge.
Step 9: You can stop at this point, or reach under again and pull out the other edges.
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Finished Fold This fold may look best with a flower, gift, roll, or pumpkin set in the cener.
6. Napkin Fold: Traditional Fold TRADITIONAL NAPKIN FOLD Use a napkin ring, ribbon, or raffia bow to secure this fold.
Step 1: Fold napkin in quarters. Set on a diagonal with the folded center portion at the top. Tip: Iron napkins flat first to avoid folded creases
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Step 2: Make 2-4 small pleats on each side of the napkin, about 4" from the top. Tip: Have napkin ring ready.
Step 2: Shown with both sides pleated, ready to be inserted into the napkin ring.
Step 3: Insert the top four inches of the napkin into napkin ring so the "wings" of the napkin can be spread out. Tip: Arrange folds as needed to be attractive.
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7. Napkin Fold: Knotted Fold KNOTTED NAPKIN FOLD Knot the napkin very loosely so guests won't have to struggle to open it.
Step 1: Lay the napkin flat on a diagonal.
Step 2: Bring the top half down to form a triangle with the fold across the top.
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Beginning at the bottom, start rolling the napkin up.
Step 4: Roll all the way up to the folded edge.
Step 5: Fold roll in half in preparation for tying the knot.
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Step 6: Loop end through and loosely tie a knot.
Finished Fold Adjust the ends if necessary.
8. Napkin folding for wine glasses - The Candle Fan Fold Sometimes you just need something a little different. The candle fan stuffed into a goblet or mug is very different. The larger the napkin that you use is, the longer the 'candles' will be.
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1. Lay the napkin face-down in front of you.
2. Fold both sides in so they meet at the center. Press the folds down well.
3. Take each of the four corners (now sitting at the center of the far and near sides) and fold them out diagonally, pivoting at the center of the napkin as shown.
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4. Starting at one end, tightly roll the napkin half way along it's length. The tighter the better.
5. Accordion-fold the other side of the napkin and gather it together.
6. Fold the napkin in half with the roll in the middle.
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7. Place it into your goblet of choice and you're done! Mmmmmm, nothing like a crappy blue napkin to demonstrate with, eh? Larger ones look much nicer.
9. Napkin ring folding The Napkin Ring Fan Fold Fan folds are always a simple way of nicely presenting your napkins. This one uses a napkin ring to hold the base.
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1. Lay the napkin face-down in front of you.
2. Fold the napkin in half and the re-open it, leaving a crease in the center.
3. Accordion-fold the napkin up to the crease, ensuring that the final fold rests nicely on the crease. This will help you keep the ends of the fan uniform.
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4. Finish accordion-folding the napkin.
5. Fold the fan in half as shown.
6. Insert the folded end into a napkin ring. It's a fan suitable for a samurai. A hungry samurai.
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10. The Fancy Silverware Pouch This is similar to the basic silverware pouch, except for two more folds near the end. It is good for a more decorative touch than the basic pouch.
1. Lay the napkin face-down in front of you.
2. Fold the napkin in half and orient the open end toward you.
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3. Fold the napkin into quarters.
4. Orient the napkin so the open corner is facing away and to the right.
5. Roll the top-most layer of napkin diagonally down to the center and press it flat.
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6. Roll the next layer down until it meets the first and press that one as well.
7. Repeat the last step once more.
8. Turn the napkin over.
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9. Fold the right side back about 1/3 of the way and press it down.
10. Fold the left side back also about 1/2 of the way and press.
11. Flip it over and insert the food poker, slicer, and scooper. So what's for dinner?
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11. The Standing Fan Napkin Fold Elegant and decorative, this is a classic napkin folding technique. As usual, and iron helps but is not necessary.
1. Lay the napkin face-down in front of you.
2. Fold the napkin in half and orient the open end towards you.
3. Fold the napkin like an accordion starting at either narrow end. Leave one end with 23 inches of unfolded napkin to support the standing fan.
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4. Fold the napkin in half with the accordion folds on the outside.
5. Grasp the unfolded corners where they meet on the open end and fold them in diagonally, tucking them under the accordion folds.
6. Open it and stand it up. A beautiful fan for a beautiful dinner.
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12. The Bird Of Paradise Napkin Fold This is a classic and classy napkin folding technique that requires a stiff napkin. If you don't have any dinner napkins made of stiff linen then a light starching should fix you right up.
1. Lay the napkin face down in front of you.
2. Fold the napkin in half.
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3. Fold the napkin in quarters.
4. Fold the napkin in half diagonally, creating a triangle.
5. Orient the triangle so the open tip is facing away from you.
6. Fold the right corner diagonally towards you - laying it down along the centerline of the triangle, making a new tip pointing towards you. An iron can make this important fold a whole lot easier.
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7. Do the same with the left corner, fold it diagonally toward you and press it down next to the previous fold. Now you have a diamond, you're rich!
8. Fold the two "wings" that you just made in folds 6 and 7 under so that you have your original triangle shape back. Once again an iron can make a world of difference.
9. Fold the triangle in half by bringing the center seam towards you and allowing the ends to fall.
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10. This bird's almost ready to fly, but first you must give it some feathers. While holding the base firmly to keep your folds together, pull up the four 'flaps' created by the napkin's corners.
It makes you wonder if there are people sitting around in basements performing experimental napkin folds while the rest of us are sleeping. This fold can be difficult if you don't use an iron or have a fairly stiff napkin so be prepared to put a few minutes into making each one.
12. The Christmas Tree Fold What You Need: 1)
Square cloth napkins Spray starch (optional) Star napkin rings Stabilize lightweight or soft fabrics with a light coat of spray starch or sizing to encourage the napkin to stand upright. 34
2) Open the napkin and place it on a flat surface. Fold the napkin in half from left to right, creating a rectangle with the fold at the left and the hemmed edges even at the right. 3) Fold down the upper corners to meet at the center; repeat for the lower corners. Lightly press the folds. 4) Fold the upper and lower points to meet in the center of the napkin, forming a square. Press lightly. 5) Carefully turn over the folded square. Fold down the upper edge of the napkin to meet the lower edge, forming a rectangle. Lightly press the folds. 6) Grasp the top layer of the rectangle at the lower right corner and bring it to the lower left corner, creating a triangle from the upper edge of the rectangle. 7) Bring the folded triangle edge at the lower left to meet the triangle edge at the lower right. 8) Grasp the top layer of the lower left corner to meet the opposite lower right corner, creating a triangle from the upper edge of the rectangle. Bring the folded triangle edge at the lower right to meet the triangle edge at the lower left. The napkin forms a triangle. 9) Fold the triangle in half, right to left, matching opposite sides. Press the napkin folds firmly. 10) Stand the napkin, with the final fold vertical to the top point. Place a star napkin ring at the top. Evenly spread the four folds to resemble pine boughs.
The second way What You Need:  Square cloth napkins 1) With a square napkin on a flat surface, fold each of the corners to meet in the center. Fold the corners to meet in the center a second time. 2) Hold one hand over the folds to hold them in place and gently turn over the napkin. With the folds on the underside of the napkin, fold the four corners to the center of the square. 3) Use the fingers of one hand to securely hold two adjacent center points. Use the fingers of the opposite hand to bend up the outer corner, freeing a point on the underside of the napkin. Gently tug the loose point, folding it over the corner to form a lily petal. Continue with the remaining three corners to form the inner petals of the water lily. 4) Hold the center of the water lily with the fingers of one hand. Reach between two inner petals to the underside of the water lily, and gently pull one point at a time to the outer edge of the lily, encircling the inner petals made in Step 4, for a completed water lily. 35
13. The Elf Shoe Napkin
1 large paper napkin
Angle fold to the centre – like a paper plane
Fold one flap upwards
Fold in half lengthwise
Fold in half again
Angle fold to centre again
Fold in half and turn -> folded edge on the top
Fold back flap to the front and tuck in
Fold down the “cuff” and pinch curl the toe
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14. The Christmas Tree Napkin
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15. The Rose Fold 1 Pick a square napkin. Press it and lay it out on your table.
2 Fold each tip into the center of the napkin. Turn the napkin over leaving the folds intact.
3 Fold each of the corners into the center again.
4 Place an upside down drinking glass on the center of the napkin. It should evenly cover all 4 tips. Press down on the glass with your non-dominant hand.
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5 Reach underneath 1 corner. Grab the fold gently and pull it out until the tip is approximately 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) further out than the top corner. It should create a petal look.
6 Repeat
in
each
corner. Maintain
the
pressure on the glass, so that the napkin doesn’t unfold.
7 Remove the glass and place the napkin on the plate
16. The Pyramid Fold 1 Set a square napkin onto your table. Adjust the corners so that it is a diamond shape facing you, rather than a square.
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2 Fold it in half, bringing the bottom point to the top point. Smooth it out.
3 Bring the left corner in to meet the top point.
4 Bring the right corner in to meet the top point.
5 Flip the napkin over. Fold the bottom point up to the top point. You should have a triangle now.
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6 Lift the center of the triangle up. Pinch the outer triangle points together. Set the pyramid on your plate
17. The Fan Fold 1 Set a pressed square napkin onto a dinner table. The bigger the napkin, the larger your fan will be. Smooth it out so there aren’t any wrinkles.
2 Fold it in half horizontally.
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3 Fold the napkin 2 inches in from the side. Repeat the fold every 2 inches, until you start to create a fan. Stop when you are 4 inches from the edge on the other side.
4 Grasp the fan on either edge. Fold it in half horizontally. Your extra 4 inches should be at the inside of the fan, rather than the outside.
5 Tuck the top corners of the 4 extra inches into the fan. Make sure to tuck it securely to make a sturdy base.
6 Set the base on the plate and let the napkin fan out into a semi-circle.
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18. The Cone Napkin Fold This nice napkin design originated from the napkin-worshiping indians native to Guam called the dirty-wipey-nappies...or not. An iron will be helpful.
1. Lay the napkin face down in front of you.
2. Fold the napkin in half diagonally.
3. Orient the napkin so the open corner faces away from you.
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4. Fold the left-most corner diagonally so the point rests on top of the far corner.
5. Repeat the last step with the right side, bringing this fold evenly along to the last one.
6. Turn the napkin over, keeping the open ends pointing away from you.
7. Evenly fold the bottom third of the napkin up and press the it down well. An iron may be needed here.
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8. Fold both the left and right sides back and underneath the napkin evenly to create the finished product seen here. That looks so nice I bet you just can't wait to smear food on it!
19. The French Napkin Fold Look at me, I'm sophisticated. Look at me, I'm elegant. Look at me, I'm going to be used to wipe someone's messy face! Sec re Bleu! The french fold is a nice simple napkin fold that requires no special skills or tools (well.. hands are helpful).
1. Lay the napkin face-down in front of you.
2. Fold the napkin in half diagonally.
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3. Orient the napkin so the long side is on the left.
4. Fold the far corner of the napkin diagonally towards you and to the right so that the crease falls an inch or two short of the right-most corner and the newly formed point at the bottom is a few inches to the right of the left one.
5. Fold the right-most point towards you, pivoting at the same place the last fold pivoted. Use the finished napkin to drape the dinner place. Very classy and uncomplicated.
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20. The Sail Napkin Fold This is one of the simplest standing napkin designs there are, but you will still need a stiff napkin if you expect it to stand without flopping over. Who'd have thought you'd be starching your dinnerware?
1. Lay the napkin face-down in front of you.
2. Fold the napkin in half and orient the open end towards you.
3. Fold the far-right corner diagonally to the center of the side that is closest to you. The edge of this flap should run down the center of the napkin.
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4. Repeat the last step with the other side, folding the far-left corner diagonally to rest right along side the previous fold.
5. Fold the napkin in half by bringing the center seam up from the work surface and allowing the ends to fall backwards. Smooth down the folds so it stands nicely and whala! A fast and easy standing-fold for your dinner party. Now you can sail across the seas on your dinner plates.
21. The Crown Napkin Fold Do you want your dinner guests to feel like royalty but have no red carpet? Treat them like kings and give them all crowns! Then you can use this napkin to wipe the cheese out of that introduction. This napkin folding design just doesn't work well without a little starch in the cloth, if it's sagging it's ugly so take your time and get it right.
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1. Lay the napkin face-down in front of you.
2. Fold the napkin in half diagonally.
3. Orient 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 four on the other side, bringing the left-most corner up to meet the middlecorner, creating a diamond shape.
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6. Fold the bottom of the napkin up about 2/4's 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 and tuck one into the other.
9. Stand it up and tug at it where needed to even it up and round it out. If your napkins are too limp then think of starch as napkin viagra and make them good and stiff.
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22. The Candle Napkin Fold So you want something easy and elegant? Something that looks nice and fancy but doesn't take a boat-load of time? Try this one on for size.
1. Lay the napkin face down in front of you.
2. Fold the napkin in half diagonally.
3. Orient the napkin so the open ends point away from you.
4. Fold the long side up just about an inch. Press this fold down well or it will interfere with the next step.
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5. Starting at either end, tightly roll the napkin into a cylinder. Take care to roll it straight so it will stand solidly.
6. Tuck the end of the roll into the base on the backside and stand it up. Put those matches down, it's not a real candle. Jeesh, you're just like a child.
23. The Diamond Pouch Here we have another variation of the silverware pouch. Also simple to make, this design tends to look nicer when it is pressed down almost flat. You wouldn't want your silverware getting cold, would you?
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1. Lay the napkin face-down in front of you.
2. Fold the napkin in half and orient the open end toward you.
3. Fold the napkin into quarters.
4. Orient the napkin so the open end faces away from you.
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5. Fold the top-most layer almost all the way forward and press it down flat.
6. Fold the next top-most layer of napkin forward almost as far as the previous one and press it down as well. Make sure the edges are even with the previous fold.
7. Fold the next layer back as you did the two before it.
8. Turn the napkin over.
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9. Fold both sides back and over one another (about 1/3 of the way), check for symmetry and press the fold down well.
10. Flip it over and insert your favorite silverware.
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24. The Fleur de Lys Goblet Fold Got some really limp napkins and want something nice to make without eating up too much time? Then this one's for you, if you're using thick/stiff napkins then an iron will help. Pay your respects to the French monarchy with a Fleur de Lys in a cup. This is a fast and easy fold. You'll fold it so quickly you won't remember doing it!
1. Lay the napkin face-down in front of you.
2. Fold the napkin in half diagonally.
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3. Orient the napkin so the open end points toward you.
4. Fold the bottom point up so the tip overlaps the far edge by about an inch.
5. Accordion fold the entire napkin from left to right.
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25. The Alternative Single Pocket Fold Method This is a fun napkin fold I learned to do for the baby shower I just hosted. It makes a pocket, so you can stick silverware in there too, but we were doing all finger food, so it was not necessary.
1. My napkin was colorful on one side and plain on the other side, so I put the colorful side down and then folded it into quarters. Put the open corner at the top, facing away from you.
2. Grab the first layer from the top most point and fold it down to meet the bottom. 58
3. Grab the next layer from the top most point and fold it down, tucking it under the first fold. This creates, for me, the appearance of the lighter shade of pink. 4. Grab the next layer from the top most point and fold it down, tucking it under the second fold.
5. Flip the napkin over so you are looking at the back side of all you have just done. 6. Fold the sides in at equal distances. 7. Flip it back over, and you have your napkin. I added the pom pom as an extra touch. Again, this is a napkin that creates a pocket that can hold silverware.
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