Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Last Minute Napkin Tricks

For those of you who are hosting Thanksgiving dinner, I say sit down, relax and I'll show you a last minute napkin trick.

No matter what amount of chaos existed in our house when I was a kid, my mom always set a fabulously beautiful table for the holidays. I guess you could say it's a tradition, or a challenge, to come up with a wow factor. Years ago I purchase a small book that showed how to fold napkins and the "Fleur de lis" has always been my favorite and it's so easy.

Grab a napkin and play along. It works well with a napkin that is the same on both sides. First you're going to fold the napkin in half diagonally.

Photobucket

Fold one of the points down, like this:

Photobucket

Fold the second point down to match. Now turn it around so the points face up. It's easier to fold this way.

Photobucket

Starting at the left side and working across, make accordian pleats, not too small, not too large.

]Photobucket

Keep folding across the entire length.

Photobucket

You'll end up with this. Be sure to hold on tight!

Photobucket

Place it inside a glass and pull down the tails. This is a water goblet.

Photobucket

Voile! You've got a beautiful presentation with a minimum amount of work.

Photobucket

You can also grab the corner of the front petal and pull down, which will give you this effect.

Photobucket

Have fun with your Thanksgiving preparations. It's meant to be a time of joy and sharing. Give thanks!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Suzanne, A wonderful instructional post for napkin folding. I loved it. I just squeeze mine into a napkin holder and move on. I am working on this now. Smile.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow.

Hugs...Jeanne

Bella Della said...

My family is getting paper napkins-and that's a treat bc it's usually paper towels! :) I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family. I just know you are an amazing hostess!

Anonymous said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family from here in Louisiana!

Deloutre

Kaye said...

Love pretty napkin techniques! Also love your music - been playing it all morning! Happy Thanksgiving! I count you in my blessings!

Vee said...

That's beautiful! Perhaps I'll remember to do it the next time I have some pretty napkins.

I was actually going to make napkins for Thanksgiving, but had such trouble finding the right kind of cloth. What would I look for in a fabric store? No fabric looked like my regular everyday napkins where both sides look about the same (not faded on one side). I didn't have enough everyday napkins for the table so had to go a different route...and how.

Vee said...

A wonderful Thanksgiving to you and yours, Suzanne!

Jill said...

Oohhhh, that's beautiful! I must note this page again and use it for my next dinner... which sadly, I'm not hosting tonight.

Happy T-day!

LDF said...

I've always admired nicely folded napkins, but by the time I've enjoyed the meal and USED the napkin, I can never remember how it was folded! Happy Thanksgiving! Us Canucks (eh) celebrated back in October, so I'll have to remember this trick for Christmas.