Booklet Copy

Heaven is a thick, perfectly square, lightly starched, fastidiously pressed, and meticulously folded napkin. A simple meal becomes a special occasion. A special occasion blossoms into a memorable event. All things are good in heaven, and it begins here.

A cloth napkin is a brilliant accessory to dining. You can play with it, gesture with it, tuck it into your shirt like a bib, rumple it, or dab your eyes with it after a particularly hilarious joke. Most importantly, you can wipe smudges and stray bits of food from your face. Of course it gets dirty, but that’s the point. It’s supposed to get dirty, so that you don’t. The upside is that cloth napkins are easily laundered to use again and again.

There are few alternatives to the aesthetic of a folded napkin. Whether you liken napkin folding to the fine art of Japanese origami or you revel in the postmodern ability to immediately deconstruct it, you will appreciate its impact. Your guests will delight in your attention to detail, and they’ll always remember their funky friend who transformed the dining table into an art gallery.

WATER LILY
Adorn each place setting with this fancy flower fold and transform your table into a beautiful garden. You can also place the flower fold into a stemmed glass for genuine floral appeal.
1. Fold the four corners so that the points meet in the center; press flat. Adjust the napkin carefully so that all the new corners are sharp.
2. Repeat the same process a second time.
3. Holding the center points together, carefully turn the napkin over. Once again, fold the four corners so that the points meet in the center, but do not press flat.
4. Hold the center firmly with two fingers. With the other hand, gently pull out the previous folds from under each corner till the petals are formed. (If you wish to make cup-shaped petals for holding rolls, simply pull the corners up while forming the petals.)

BISHOP’S HAT
A classic fold for any occasion, the Bishop’s Hat is formal and traditional. The proportions are important, so adjustment of the folds may be necessary as you practice the steps.
1. Begin with the corners of the napkin top and bottom in the shape of a diamond. Fold the corner at the top down till it meets the corner nearest you, forming a triangle.
2. Place your finger at the center of the top edge and fold the right corner down to the bottom point nearest you. Repeat with the left corner.
3. Bring the top point down to within 1 inch of the bottom point.
4. Fold the same point up to meet the center of the top edge.
5. Holding the folds in place, flip the napkin over so that the napkin now points up, away from you.
6. Place your left hand, fingers together and palm up, on top of the napkin. Fold the left corner to a little bit past the center point along the bottom edge and hold in place with your thumb.
7. Fold the right corner toward the center and tuck the corner inside the flap of the fold made by the left side.
8. Holding the tucked-in fold together, round it out carefully and place it standing on the plate. The decorative folds should face the diner.
9. Gently pull the front top corners of the napkin down and out a bit, like flower petals.

SWEET HEART
Perfect for Valentine’s Day or a family gathering, but a charming gesture for any occasion. The romantic shape warms your guest’s hearts and leaves a lasting impression. It is important to use a napkin that will hold a crease; thick, heavy napkins are not well suited for this fold.
1. Fold the napkin in half, bringing the top edge down towards you.
2. Fold the bottom edges up, just short of the top.
3. Place a finger at the center of the bottom edge and fold both sides up to meet the middle.
4. Fold each of the four top corners behind (forming triangles) to create the top lobes of the heart.

PRETTY POCKET
Smart design combines silverware and napkin in an attractive, compact package that stacks easily, and guests at a buffet or picnic can help themselves.
1. Fold the napkin up into a rectangle with the folded edge at the bottom.
2. Fold the top layer down to meet the bottom edge.
3. Fold only the top layer half way up from the bottom. Carefully turn the napkin over.
4. Fold the left and right sides of the design till they meet in the center.
5. Tuck one half of the napkin deep into the other half, locking the napkin flat. Turn napkin over and insert cutlery into the pocket.

MODERN STYLE
Unusual geometry and simple lines complete the gestalt of your presentation. The simple shapes beg the question “Why didn’t I think of that?”
1. Begin with the corners of the napkin top and bottom in the shape of a diamond.
2. With a finger at the bottom point, fold both sides in to meet the center line.
3. Repeat the same process a second time.
4. Turn the napkin over, keeping the long point facing you. Bring the bottom point up to meet the top, folding the design in half. Tuck the point into the fold.
5. Carefully turn the napkin over.

PEACOCK TAIL
Casual or formal, this uncomplicated design provide a fanciful display. Placed beside the plate, it creates an abstract but refined arrangement.
1. Fold the napkin up into a rectangle with the folded edge at the bottom.
2. Fold the right edge to meet the left edge, forming a square.
3. Grasp the top layer of the bottom left corner, pulling it gently and directly to the right, till it forms a large triangle pointing upward. Make small adjustments as necessary, so that edges line up exactly.
4. Turn the napkin over. Grasp the top layer of the bottom right corner, pulling it gently to meet the bottom left corner. This will form a large triangle. Make small adjustments as necessary, so that edges line up exactly.
5. Bring the bottom left corner of the triangle to meet the bottom right corner. You should now have four folded triangles stacked atop one another.
6. Hold the folds together at the top point. To fan the layers grasp the top three triangles and move them a bit to the left. Repeat with the remaining triangles, spacing them evenly. Place the napkin on the plate with the folds pointing up to resemble a bird’s tail.

SEA SHELL
Soft folds combine to form a splendid sea shell. This dainty design beckons a familiar and friendly setting for your special dinner party.
1. Fold the napkin into quarters. Place in a diamond shape with the closed corner points up.
2. Starting at the bottom point, grasp the first layer and bring it up to meet the top point.
3. Bring the second layer of the bottom point up to within 1 inch of the top point. Repeat with remaining two layers, so that each edge shows and the layers are evenly spaced.
4. Flip the napkin over; the point should now be facing down.
5. Place a finger at the center of the top edge and fold left and right corners down to meet the middle and create a point at the top.
6. Pinch the folds together at the top and bottom and fluff them slightly before placing the napkin on a plate.

Practice makes perfect.
Before folding a design using a crisply starched and pressed napkin, it’s best to “iron out the wrinkles” in your technique to avoid extra creases. Use the enclosed napkin to practice, practice, practice till your folds are perfect.

Once you’ve mastered the fold, add your own personal touch; choose the napkin pattern and color you feel best suits each design. When choosing napkins, consider heavy linen or cotton napkins. They starch to a firm, crisp surface ideal for folding. Collect various patterns and colors that compliment your décor and personal style. Complicated folds require larger napkins, a minimum of 18–20 inches. The napkins must measure as perfect squares, and the fabric must
be cut straight on the weave to ensure that the cloth will not pull out of shape easily. High quality napkins will yield great results.

For best results, napkins should be washed, treated with starch, and ironed while damp. Intricate folds require traditional starch to yield a sufficiently crisp finish. When ironing, gently pull the napkins as needed to ensure that they are perfectly square. Unless otherwise specified, always begin with the wrong side (back side of napkin) facing up.

You’re well on your way to the perfect dining experience. Welcome to the pearly gates of Heaven. Enjoy.