How To Fold Dinner Napkins Like A Fancy Person

I personally believe everyone should know three origami folds: A paper crane, a paper money ring, and at least one fancy way to fold a dinner napkin. The best site to teach you how to fold a napkin is Animated Napkins.

This site (by the creator of Animated Knots) shows you how to fold dinner napkins into shapes that you can sit at a place setting. If you’re ever throwing a dinner party, this is an easy way to impress people.

Here are a couple of easy folds, and a couple that take more time to get right.

[referenced url=”https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2019/07/learn-how-to-tie-knots-with-animated-knots/” thumb=”https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/t_ku-large/auj0eg4dcnpxdzxxgf1z.jpg” title=”Learn How To Tie Knots With ‘Animated Knots’” excerpt=”Animated Knots is a perfect site for learning everything about knots: how to tie them, what they’re for and how to choose the best knot for a specific job.”]

• Pyramid: The design seen above, which only takes three folds and a stand-up. Once you get the hang of it, it’s easier than folding a shirt.
• Rosebud: A classic fold that tells your guests, “I know that red wine should be very slightly chilled.” I was surprised how easy it is to fold, given how fancy it looks when it’s done.
• Diagonal Pockets: Lay this design flat on the table and tuck silverware into the pockets.
• Bird of Paradise: Turn your napkins into the Sydney Opera House. This design takes more work and a little finesse. If you already know a little origami, you should learn this one.

Each folding guide gives step-by-step written instructions along with pictures, plus notes on the difficulties and “tricks” to each fold. (If you’ve ever struggled through a wordless origami guide, you know the value of these extra tips.)

The designs are categorised by how much you have to fold the napkin in half before starting — inconvenient if you’re just trying to find a pretty design, but convenient if you’re in the catering business and need to gussy up 80 napkins that were all stored in quarter-folds.

You can also see tall designs, designs with pockets and designs that you can easily stack and store while folded.