Note that this method works best with large, square, cloth napkins. For the nicest-looking results, use napkins without wrinkles, stains, or frayed ends.
When you’re done, the napkin should hang downward loosely like a pair of drapes.
If possible, push your ring up the napkin until it’s held in place by the bulk of the napkin. Not all napkins are thick enough for this — if yours isn’t, just slide the ring up an inch or two and set the napkin down.
There are many different ways you can arrange your napkins for maximum impact — for instance, you may want to place your napkin directly on a plate to draw attention to it or put them all in a basket in the middle of the table so that your guests can grab them as they need them. It’s up to you!
For this method, it’s more important than normal to use a stiff, square cloth napkin. These sorts of napkins hold creases more easily than paper napkins, making your final “fan” shape look much sharper. In addition, if you don’t use a square napkin, the dimensions of your fan may be off.
Note that your original crease should act as one of the folds in your “accordion”. [4] X Research source You may need to adjust the width of your folds slightly to get them to line up perfectly with the crease. Over time, this gets easier.
As usual, you can make a bold statement by simply putting this folded-up napkin in the center of your plate. You may also want to try putting the folded end in a skinny glass or champagne flute for an exotic, peacock-like arrangement. [5] X Research source
While a square napkin is best here, the material of the napkin isn’t as important for the double roll as it is for other types of napkin folds because the napkin doesn’t need to support its own weight. Thus, this is a fine choice if you’re working with paper napkins.
Don’t forget to arrange your napkins rolls-side up — otherwise, they’ll just look like an ordinary roll or bundle.
As above, a stiff, square cloth napkin works best here. You may find that this fold needs more stiffness than any of the other ones in this article — more so than the others, this fold uses the natural strength of the cloth to support the weight of the napkin.
When you’re done, your napkin should look like a narrow, skinny, roll. The edges of the napkin should make repeating diagonal lines on the surface of the roll.
One great trick for arranging your napkins with this fold is to bring the folded edge of the napkin flush with the bottom of the ring and stand it upright. The ring should resemble the rim of a candlestick, enhancing the candle-like appearance of your napkins. Note, however, that this arrangement is very easy to tip over. [7] X Research source
