- A 1939 Napkin-Folding Technique
- I Was Totally Wrong About That 1939 Napkin Technique
- A 1973 Centerpiece Suggestion
Books from 1939 don’t have infographics. There’s no step-by-step instructions with photos telling you exactly how to fold a napkin.
So I have no idea if I did this right.
Truth be told, I was looking for a truly outlandish napkin-folding technique, but now I think that super-old etiquette books aren’t the place to find such things. In fact, this one states very specifically: “Fancy foldings have gone out of fashion.” I guess I’ll check the ‘70s to see if that’s when crazy napkin folding had its heyday.
I think this fold is rather handsome — the lines are reminiscent of a man’s tie. What do you think: Are you into it, or or do you think it’s dated?
If you’d like to try it yourself, here are the instructions from Emily Posts’s 101 Common Mistakes in Etiquette — And How to Avoid Them below. (Btw, how modern is that title? A list! About avoiding mistakes! Emily Post knew what she was doing.)
A smaller napkin is folded in four, with monogram toward lower edge of plate; then bend about one third of the top corner forward in a sharp crease, the point of this crease coming just above the monogram. Now roll under (do not sharply crease) the two side corners. You get a soft roll on your plate with the top looking like a turned down pointed collar, the bottom of it of course left as it was, and the two sides rolled under.
Obviously, I had to ignore the bit about the monogram.
If there’s a demand, you might be able to coax me into creating an infographic for this….
Here’s the (Instagrammed) finished effect of the table. (Forthcoming, a post on that barely visible centerpiece.) And follow me on Instagram if you like!
It's good etiquette to share what you like!
