Here’s a pretty way to fold your napkins for your holiday table or other special occasion! This Bow Fold idea is from a book called Top 100 Step-by-Step Napkin Folds by Denise Vivaldo, a seasoned food professional who has catered more than 10,000 parties. A creatively folded napkin adds such a special touch to your table setting and it’s easy to do, with the step-by-step instructions and photos that you’ll find in this book. I received a review copy of this book and it has a nice hardcover format with a concealed wire binding which lies flat when it’s open, making it easy to look at the photos and instructions while you’re trying out different folds.
I decided to try the Bow Fold, since we’re in the midst of the holidays and the bow shape reminds me of bows on Christmas presents! But it also works great for a special tea, ladies’ brunch, bridal shower, or baby shower.
Here’s the fold in a few easy steps–this is my condensed version…the book has much more detail! (Follow each row of photos from left to right).
1. You can use a plain or patterned napkin 2. Lay it out so reverse side is facing up 3. Fold napkin in half, forming a triangle 4. Fold left point over about halfway 5. Fold right edge back, cover the right tip slightly. 6. Fold right edge over left edge. 7. Fold bottom point over at an upward angle 8. Fold top point over at a downward angle 9. Pinch the center of the folded napkin together with one hand and, holding the napkin ring in the other hand… 10. …slide it through the ring 10. Pull tails of bow downward, forming a more distinct bow shape 11. Turn bow over… 12. …and arrange it on a plate!
I’m a very novice napkin folder, so if I can do this, you can, too! 
There are 99 other ideas in the book, so you have plenty of folds to choose from!
Here’s a sample spread from the book:
image: www.robertrose.ca
Have fun with your napkin folding! Do you have a favorite napkin fold you like to use?
Linked to Create With Joy.
We LOVE this!!
Thank you, and glad you like it!
We’d be a big hit at parties…I have a book on creating beautiful toilet paper designs (on the roll)!
Ha–you’re right, Susan! It’s those little details that make things special!
I guess my first step is to actually purchase cloth napkins now that we have been in one country for a bit. You are quite talented. I wonder how a paper napkin would fair in this challenge?
I don’t have many cloth napkins myself, but now I’m inspired to get more! I’m not sure how well a paper napkin would work…if you try it out, let me know!
How adorable!
First that wonderful glazed lemon bread and now this napkin idea. I love your blog.
Thanks so much, Lea Ann!
Thank you for this, the bows are adorable. I don’t buy napkins any more, I just use this tut I found last year. http://thelifeofmegananne.blogspot.com/2011/08/heather-meet-martha-napkin-tutorial.html
That’s a great tutorial–thanks for sharing! I think I’d like to start making my own napkins, too!
How very cool!!
Thanks, Shonnie!
How perfect! Thanks for sharing
You’re welcome, Lorraine!
Love this! So perfect for the holidays!!
Kenley
Yes, I thought the bow was fun for the holidays–using a red napkin would be fun!
Glad you like the idea–thanks for letting me know!
nice! just love the bow!
Thanks, Eileen!
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Awesome just what my Christmas table needed.
Glad you like the idea, Lesa!
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this is so awesome and so easy to do – thanks a lot
You’re welcome, Marilyn!
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Maravilhoso e objetivo e fácil de aprender. Parabéns! e obrigado por compartilhar.