Tag Archives: Table setting

The Bow Fold from Top 100 Step-By-Step Napkin Folds

Posted on by

29

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.

About these ads

Naturally Lovely Thanksgiving Table Ideas from Martha Stewart

Posted on by

2

Still trying to figure out how you’re going to decorate your Thanksgiving table? I found some clever ideas over at MarthaStewart.com (all photos shown are from Martha’s website). The nice thing is, most of these ideas involve using natural elements like leaves, nuts, gourds, fruit…things you probably already have on hand. And you can use decorative containers that you already have on hand, too.

The centerpiece shown above is a great example…this arrangement has kumquats, squashes, and a bell pepper in a ceramic compote. You can also use other orange-colored fruits and veggies like miniature-size pumpkins, persimmons, carrots, and oranges. If you have any pretty milk glass bowls or containers (I’ve found some great milk glass pieces at local flea markets that were very reasonably priced), those would also work beautifully in this type of arrangement. Or use glass containers, like a trifle bowl.

If you don’t have any pretty glass containers, you can always fill baskets with fruits and veggies for an attractive tabletop arrangement. I love the little basket favors on top of each place setting…they’re so cute and homey!

Pottery containers or other types of bowls would work, too, even if they don’t all match (wooden bowls would look really nice). Have fun mixing different shapes and sizes in your arrangement and fill the smaller containers with nuts. I never realized how elegant an arrangement of pears and nuts could be!

If  you really want an elegant look, you might want to spray-paint miniature pumpkins, one for each place setting, and add a place card with each one.

I really liked this idea of using vivid fall leaves, clipped right from your own tree, and arranging them over a plate or charger. Then just add a clear glass plate on top of the leaves. You couldn’t buy plates any nicer than that!

And if you have a sweet gum tree, here’s a great use for those pesky, prickly spurs! What a great idea to use them as unique place cards!

The idea of using a pear (or apple) as a place card is very clever, too!

Create an elegant, feathery napkin holder by tying some ribbon around a napkin and sliding a pretty feather between the napkin and ribbon, or cut a slit through the ribbon in the front center, and slide the feather through the slit.

And one more idea…an easy-to-make napkin ring using ribbon and beads! Just cut a ribbon 18 to 22 inches long, trimming the ends diagonally. Wrap the ribbon around a napkin and thread both ends of the ribbon through a bead in front. Pull on the ribbon ends to tighten around the rolled napkin.

Hope this post gives you some ideas to add a touch of natural beauty to your Thanksgiving table!