How to Do The Bow Tie Napkin Fold

This bow tie napkin fold brings such a fun, fancy, elevated look to any table, whether it’s for a big holiday gathering, or just a special table for two.

 

This bow tie napkin fold is such a fun way to elevate a table setting for entertaining at special dinner parties or a holiday celebration like Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, or even Christmas. These folded napkins make even the simplest place setting feel instantly festive, and the great thing about this particular fold is that it doesn’t take a lot of skill or practice at all, unlike some other special napkin folds. I do recommend folding these bow ties ahead of time, because they do take a few minutes each to assemble, but I promise you that the extra bit of time and effort will definitely be worth it.

I have to admit that I thought I invented this napkin fold while I was doing it the first time I ever tried it out. After the fact, I decided to Google it to see if anyone else had ever done a bow napkin fold and if they had a smarter way of doing it. It turns out that quite a few people have done this before, and it looks like they’ve all done it pretty much the same way I did. Great minds think alike! If you’d like to jump on the bow tie bandwagon, here’s how to do it.

More decorative napkin folding ideas for your tablescape: The Simple Knot Napkin Fold

How to Fold Cloth Dinner Napkin into Bowties

Start with a cloth napkin. A crisp, white napkin works well for this, or you can choose a beautiful stripe, classic linen, or whimsical floral pattern as well. Choose something that will match your tablecloth or table runner, placemats, flatware, glassware, candles, and other table decorations. Be sure to use a clean, freshly-ironed napkin, whichever pattern you choose.

 

If you’re at all familiar with origami, you’ll feel a little like you’re doing fabric origami over the next few steps. Fold the top and the bottom of the napkin towards the center so they meet in the middle, and iron everything smooth before you fold it again. Ironing between each step will ensure a crisp look to your bow.

 

Next, bring the two sides in so that they meet in the middle and iron your napkin one more time so that it’s crisp and holds its shape nicely.

 

Flip the napkin over to reveal the smooth side and hide the folds.

 

Pinch the napkin in the centre. I like the way it looks if you make sure that the fabric folds into a sort of “zig-zag” when you pinch it, with the most significant “dip” falling in the middle.

 

 

If you like the way it looks, you can proceed to the next step, which will secure it in place and give your napkin a little bit of style.

Take a piece of wide ribbon, about five to six inches long. This will be the center of your bow. A ribbon between 1.5 to 2.5 inches wide usually works best for me, but you can experiment a little until you have a look that you like. There are no hard and fast rules with this napin fold.:)

Alternatively, you can also use strips of fabric if you have a beautiful patterned fabric that you’d like to use to decorate your tabletop. Simply fold the fabric into a long strip to hide the frayed, unfinished edges, then iron it to help it hold its shape. Here’s an example of a strip of fabric that I used on one occasion.

Decorating ideas from our home: Timeless Farmhouse Dining Room Refresh

 

Iron that piece of fabric flat and then fold in the two sides to hide the frayed edges. Make sure you have the pretty side of the fabric showing when you’re done. OK, now go ahead and pinch that bow again.

Take your ribbon or your strip of fabric and wrap it firmly around the middle of your pinched bow, so that it holds the napkin in just the right bow shape.

Add a dab of hot glue to one edge of the ribbon and press the other end to it to hold your loop together at the back of your bow. Trim away any excess ribbon or fabric to keep things neat and tidy.

 

 

Repeat as needed until you have enough bows for each place setting at your table. Then set your table, stand back, and admire your handiwork. I love how these look on a stack of beautiful china plates. Such a delightful little touch that makes a basic table feel cute, fun, and a little bit special. It’s sure to impress anyone who’s lucky enough to sit down at your table.

Add elegance to your place settings: How to Do the Rose Napkin Fold

 

 

This is such a fun idea if you’re having a dinner where you’re using cloth napkins, but don’t want to do the same old napkin rings. Try this napkin fold for your next holiday, and I’m sure your friends and family will love it.