Emily Harke
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Ms. Randolf
English Honors 6th Hour
13 February 2012
How to Fold a Napkin into a Water Lily
Napkins have been around for a while. They were first developed by the French. The
Europeans were the next to inherit this fashion, however, for both the French and Europeans this
manner was taken very casually. As the years progressed however people started take the art of
eating more seriously. The new rule became that the person of highest rank in the company
should unfold his napkin first, all others should wait until he has done so before they unfold
theirs. When all those present are social equals, everyone unfolds their napkins together and
there is no ceremony.
There are many different reasons why you may want to fold napkins. They're a great
hobby. Napkin folding is a great highlight for picnics, graduations, weddings, basically
anything. You can dress your table up or dress it down depending on the occasion. For my how
to I'm going to fold a napkin into a water lily. This is great for more formal dinners without
being too casual or too serious. They're a fun way to spice up your table and can be done in
many different colors to add variation.
Napkin folding is not only just a nice accent to a party but it’s also a very neat, unique and
creative hobby. Anyone with a creative side should think about getting into it. They’re simple
and fun to do. They range from three steps to twelve steps depending on how difficult and
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elegant the creation is. The water lily I’m going to demonstrate is considered a moderate level
napkin fold. If you think this is easy you could definitely check out other “how to’s” having to
do with napkin folding.
First, find get a napkin. For this particular fold and occasion a cloth napkin would be the most
appropriate. That’s the only thing you’ll need. Open up the napkin having the right side face
down or the side with the decoration down. Fold all the corners to the center which makes a new
square. Then, fold your new square into the center again like you did in step one. Bringing all
the corners to the center again this forms then again a new square. After you’ve completed
stepped two, turn the napkin over using your hand to keep the flaps from the square in place.
Follow by picking up each corner of the new square individually and folding them into
the center again once more. Thus making another new square! Now, take the loose double flap
that’s under the corners and pull it outward so that the point almost turns inside out. You may
need to hold the flower in place while you do this. Once you’ve done one you need to pull all of
them out that way so it kind of looks like there are four leaves.
Next, you need to take the little pointy tip that is made and pull it up so it points up to the
ceiling. Repeat this step for the other three corners. Once you’ve done that then you should take
your fingers under the point and tuck the leaves under the flower section of the napkin. After
you’ve done that you can use your fingers to smooth and shape the flowers and leaves. To
complete your look you can add some colorful candy in the middle to make the flower look even
more alive and to make yourself look like an even more creative hostess!
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The reason I did this paper was not only to describe how to fold napkins, it was also to
remember proper manner at the dinner table. In our society youth have definitely begun to lack
on table manners. Instead of writing a paper on table manners however, I decided napkin folding
with a creative shape would grab more attention while still reminding us that manners are
important. While our hostess has gone out of his or her way to fold the napkin you need to
remember that it is not proper etiquette to use the napkin to wipe cutlery no matter how dirty
your silverware is. If your silverware is that dirty that you would need to whip it on a napkin just
ask your host to please give you another and I’m sure they would without a problem. So
remember good manners and cute napkins get you far in life!
Work Cited
Beech, Rick. “Introduction to Napkin Folding.” The practical guide to napkins and napkin
folding. Bookmart, 2006. 12 February 2012.
Drachenfels, Suzanne Anne. “The Art of the Table.” Food References. James T. Ehler, 2011. 13
February 2012. <http://www.foodreference.com/html/art-history-napkins-729.htlm>
King, Tamiya. “Table Setting Etiquette: Napkin Placement” E How. 2009. 13 February 2012.
<http://www.ehow.com/about_6504402_table-setting-etiquette_-napkin-placement.html>