Whether you’re hosting a small, informal gathering in your apartment or a fancy, sit-down dinner, napkins are a fun, quick, and easy way to add a festive and decorative detail to your party! Beyond just picking napkin colors or patterns to match your scheme, consider transforming them into whimsical shapes your guests will love! These eight napkin folds are super simple, take just minutes, and will transform your holiday table into something memorable!
Before you get folding your napkins, here are a few handy tips to keep in mind!
A hot iron is very handy. You will end up with nicer seams, pointier corners, and better overall designs if you take the time to iron as you go.
Pay attention to the right and wrong side of your napkin. Some designs will show both sides of your fabric, so experiment with which way looks better in the final design.
Don’t want to invest in cloth napkins? Any of these designs can be done with large paper napkins too!
Can’t find napkins in a color or pattern you love? Head to the fabric store! Quilting cottons are the best to use; and be sure to pre-wash it before trimming yardage down into 18” squares. If you don’t want to pull out the sewing machine, pinking shears (the zigzag scissors) will give you a non-fray edge.
Don’t let these folds intimidate you! All of them are easy and take just a minute or so to create!
New Year’s Day – The Three Pocket Fold
Hosting a fancy dinner party to ring in the New Year? This three-pocket fold is simple, tidy and perfect for displaying silverware! Use shimmery fabric to coordinate with a “pop, fizz, clink” themed tablescape!
Tutorial used: Bride Link
Going for cozy rather than glam for New Year’s Eve? Here are some great table ideas to try!
Valentine’s Day – The Heart Fold
Whether it’s dinner for your sweetie or a brunch for little kids, napkins folded as hearts are a quintessential detail on a Valentine’s-themed table. Use red, pink, or heart-patterned fabric; a hot iron really helps to hold this fold in place!
Tutorial used: DIY Enthusiasts
Easter or Spring – The Bunny Ears Fold
A napkin folded to resemble bunny ears is the perfect addition to your Easter brunch table or any Spring soiree. This design can either be laid down on a plate (as shown) or stood up on end to greet your guests!
Tutorial Used: Fab Art DIY
Here are some additional Easter decor ideas!
Birthday Party or Summer BBQ – The Pinwheel Fold
This simple yet charming pinwheel fold is perfect for any party or holiday! Simply by swapping out cloth patterns or colors for each party, this can easily become your go-to fold for any occasion!
Tutorial Used: Atta Girl Says
Birthday Party, Mother’s Day, or Bridal Shower – The Bow Fold
Do you have a bridal shower, baby shower, little girl birthday party, or ladies lunch on your calendar? This simple bow napkin fold couldn’t be any sweeter or easier! You won’t need much more table decor with these darling napkins at each setting!
Tutorial Used: Nacy-C.com
Halloween – The Bat Fold
Give your Halloween guests a fright with napkins folded to resemble bats! This is another fold where an iron can really help set the design. Try it in all black for a spooky display or purples, blacks and oranges for a whimsical arrangement.
Tutorial Used: Instructables
[tweetthis]Do You Love Being #Creative Year Round? This Year Try These Different Ways To Fold A #Napkin! Fun![/tweetthis]
Thanksgiving – The Fan Fold
Do you have too many guests coming to your Thanksgiving feast to fuss over fancy napkins? Fold your napkins as you would a paper fan and hold them together with a piece of pretty ribbon. A simple letter sticker functions as a modern place card!
Tutorial Used: ForRent.com
Christmas – The Christmas Tree Fold
Nothing says Christmas like a Christmas tree, so why not bring the iconic image to your holiday table? The tree shape alone is quite easy to achieve with a napkin; but you can add some whimsy by using festive fabric and wooden embellishments as stumps and tree toppers (found at any craft store).
Tutorial Used: Walmart.com
Don’t stop at the napkins, check out these fun ideas for dressing up your holiday table and chairs!
Whimsical napkin shapes are a fun, festive and super budget-friendly way to decorate your holiday (or any day!) table! Not only are napkins functional and a great way to add color and pattern to your table, but the thematic shapes can also be great conversation starters. Use these tutorials (and a hot iron) for great results, and have fun creating tablescapes that will surely wow your guests!