Learn how to fold napkins into envelopes. Then place a Valentine inside to surprise your family or friends. Napkin envelopes are also fun for hiding surprises at birthday parties or other special occasions.
Fold Napkins into Envelopes
Step-by-Step Instructions
Folding cloth napkins into decorative shapes is a charming way to enhance your table setting. Recently, I used these folded “envelopes” for a Valentine’s Day table, and they were a hit! Not only do they look great, but you can also tuck little Valentines inside for a delightful surprise at Galentine’s Day celebrations.
Fold Napkins into Envelopes: Choose the Right Napkins
To achieve the best results, start with square dinner-sized napkins. Napkins measuring 18 x 18 inches or 20 x 20 inches work well, but feel free to experiment with smaller or larger sizes. While it’s ideal to use perfectly square napkins, many cloth napkins aren’t square. Therefore, be prepared to make some adjustments as you fold. Place your napkin on a flat surface with the inside facing up—the side that has the tag or hem.
Step 1: Create a Triangle
Begin by folding one side of the napkin over to form a triangle. Aim to make this fold as precise as possible. If your napkin isn’t perfectly square, you might notice that the top side won’t completely cover the bottom side. In such cases, allow the bottom area to remain visible, meaning the top fold may end up smaller than the bottom.
As you can see in the example below, when I folded this napkin and aligned the top points, the bottom sides didn’t match perfectly. I adjusted the folds, allowing the top section to be shorter and concealing the imperfections inside the “envelope.”
Step 2: Fold Napkins into Envelopes by Folding the Points
Next, fold the right edge of the napkin over so its point aligns with the top point.
Then, fold the left edge to meet the first point you just folded. Ensure that where these two folds meet lines up with the top point of the napkin.
Step 3: Finish the Envelope Shape
Now, fold the right side of the napkin, making sure the fold aligns with both the bottom and top edges.
Repeat this process on the left side of the napkin.
Afterward, fold up the bottom section as shown in the photo below.
Step 4: Add a Valentine
At this stage, you can insert a Valentine between the folds inside the napkin if you wish. This little addition adds a fun touch for your guests.
Fold Napkins into Envelopes: Final Touches
To complete your envelope, fold the top flap over.
For an extra decorative touch, you might add a paper or felt heart to the outside of the envelope. If you’d like, turn the hearts into name tags by writing your guests’ names on them. Use double-sided tape to secure the heart in place. By following these simple steps, you can create envelope napkins that will add a personal touch to any table setting!
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