Napkins add the perfect finishing touch to every table setting. More
than a functional item, they can transform and enhance an event. A pure
white napkin, generous in size and made of heavy linen in a classic fold
adds instant sophistication and formality; a multi-coloured fan bursting
out of a cocktail glass imparts an immediate sense of fun and
festivity.This comprehensive new book is a veritable bible of napkins
and napkin folding. It not only offers an unprecedented number of folds
in one volume but also shows - with stunning photographic example - how
to make a decorative feature of napkins and how to style them for themed
occasions and settings. The 100 napkin folds are each illustrated with
step-by-step photographs and easy-to-follow instructions. The folds are
graded from simple designs that can be put together quickly to more
complex folds that require starching and pressing. There are folds
suitable for every occasion from children's birthdays and picnics to
cocktail parties, weddings, and large-scale family celebrations. You
might choose a French lily for formal dining, the clown's hat for a
young child, the lover's knot for a special St Valentine dinner, or the
cable for outdoor entertaining.A comprehensive introduction provides a
fascinating history of napkin usage and etiquette. For those who want to
make their own napkins for a specific occasion, advice is given on the
types of fabric to choose. Information on laundering and pressing
napkins will help keep fabrics in top condition. There are also ideas
for making and decorating plain napkins. More than 50 inspirational
projects provide different decorative ways to add the finishing touch to
a napkin. Choose from hand and machine embroidery, appliquÚ, beading,
paint effects and a whole array of stunning ideas for beaded, wired and
hand-crafted napkin rings. Packed with classic and original ideas, shown
in over 1000 stunning colour photographs and illustrations, this is the
ultimate sourcebook for every napkin folder and for every dinner table.
