OLGA’S FABULOUS FOLDS
Laura Meinhardt
aka Olga Schpitfeir
Copyright 2012 by Laura Meinhardt
Smashwords Edition
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This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Cartoons by Jackie Urbanovic
Graphic Illustrations by Elroy Balgaard
Published by:
DiningDetails
19890 Hamilton Ct NE
Poulsbo WA 98370 USA
Digital Version – January 2012
All Rights Reserved.
ISBN-13
978-0-615-56158-5
Soft Cover Edition - Olga’s Frumpy Folds 70,000 in print
Library of Congress Catalog Card TX 579 784
VISIT US ON FACEBOOK!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Olgas-Fabulous-Folds/125437634239214
Why use a cloth napkin you ask?
Creativity, the Environment, Economics, Participation and Variety. Never thought about it like this? Hmm! Let’s briefly discuss these points, one at a time.
Creativity: Just imagine—your guest walks up to your table, and I can almost guarantee the first thing they will comment about is the napkin fold, unless it’s the aroma coming from the kitchen. It’s a simple, dramatic and delightfully creative way to enhance your table that is “free,” and your tables never have to look the same twice. You not only can change the fold, but the mix of napkins with your dinnerware, the type of party you’re having, or the type of service you are offering (for example, buffet versus sit-down). Have fun with it!
Do your children want to help with the party? How about giving them the job of folding the napkins? They get to participate — it’s good for you and for them. They will receive the kudos for their efforts and it will provide a healthy source of pride.
Napkins do not have to match. Mix colors and prints with tablecloths and placemats. Tuck a fresh flower into the napkin fold. Look around the house and create your own unusual napkin rings: sew scraps of lace together, tuck folded napkins through the handles of your coffee cups, or use seasonal cookie cutters as napkin rings.
The Environment: I am an advocate for being kind to Mother Earth, and I believe we are all visitors. I consider it a personal victory to generate less waste, and if we each took that on in our lifetime we could make a big difference. Try that one on!
In your day-to-day lives, how about designating a cloth napkin to each member of your family for a few days? Often a napkin is only lightly-used at mealtime.
You are doing laundry anyway; I say, keep it simple: wash, dry and immediately lay flat or fold in half, this avoids the iron! Plus, the napkin is more absorbent when dried in a dryer versus air-dried. (Although some folds do work better with a stiffer napkin.)
Economics: Once you have your napkins purchased (they make great gifts), you no longer need to buy any more napkins.
Participation: During the first few years I was selling the printed version of Olga’s Fabulous Folds, I received letters from all over the world with people sharing their stories! For instance, one letter came from a gentleman who had floated down the Rheine River on a winery tour. He had brought his book with him (don’t know why!) and shared a story of how all his “barge friends” sat around together and folded napkins. What an ice breaker!
Another gentleman shared that his son had worked in an exclusive golf resort and he was in charge of folding napkins, hundreds of them. But he also folded them for his parents’ dinner parties, and all their guests loved the detail.
I personally demonstrated at a “home party” to ladies from age 8 to 80, and they all had a very creative and social evening.
And finally, as I mentioned earlier, children like to help when you are going to have dinner guests over. This is a “job” that they will really get into, and they will receive the kudos from your guests.
Variety, the napkin itself:
Color: There is such a variety of cloth napkins on the market! There are solids, two-toned solids, whimsy prints on one side or two, and bold plaids. Colors and patterns are limitless! And of course, there are napkins for every holiday you choose to celebrate.
Texture: Napkins come in shiny chintz, elegant damask, or practical cotton, and range from coarse textures to fine weaves. Their edges may be scalloped, fringed, or simple straight-rolled. Whatever you choose, these elements will have an impact on what you can fold. For instance, a more coarsely woven napkin won’t hold creases as well as a fine cloth.
Fibers & Finishes: Napkins come in different fiber content and finishes. My favorite qualities in a cloth napkin are its absorbency and texture against the skin. A napkin with a “hard” and shiny finish may be pretty, but it’s not very absorbent and isn’t that the point? We do want it to be functional as well as attractive.
Pay attention to what is called “sizing”; this temporary finish on fabrics gives it body or stiffness. Sizing generally washes out, so you can end up with a limp napkin.
A word about stains; they are a reality and generally they can be easily removed, but give yourself a head start and choose a napkin with a fiber that will work with you. I suggest 100% cotton. Visit Olga on Facebook where she will be compiling stain removal solutions from readers and other sources!
Size: I never knew until I began paying attention, but my most favorite and flexible size is an 18-inch square. But I’ve used a 20-inch and even a 12-inch square, they are all out there, calling to be folded.
Now mix those colors, textures, fibers, finishes and sizes…see what I mean by variety?
Before you begin, here are a few pointers:
Tip! The bold lines outline the edges of that completed step. It is also important to place the napkin in the same position as the illustration. All the directions and illustrations have been thought through so that you will have success with your first attempt (and I do admit that this may be wishful thinking some of the time).
When you begin a new fold, don’t be scared by the complicated appearance of some of the illustrations. We’ve tried hard to keep the step-by-steps simple. They are logically presented and have been tested by all ages (and both genders).
All of the folds use square napkins, but not all the folds work with all textures and sizes. This is something you may want to make notes of as you experiment.
Notations at the start of certain folds will inform you that a napkin with a print on only one side will successfully work with that fold.
Once you start folding, you’ll begin to see different folded napkins in restaurants, linen departments and store displays. Once you are familiar with some of the steps, jot down some notes and try them!
This fold is extremely practical because many can be pre-folded and stored for future use. You see this used in many restaurants.
Tip — A napkin with a print on only one side can be used. A napkin that can hold its shape is ideal, and one with a coarser weave may work as well.
Flip
the bottom up to form a triangle.
Flip
the left and right corners toward the center, forming another
diamond.
Flip the whole napkin over left to right, resulting with the smooth
side up.
Fold
the bottom half up.
Slip
your index finger under the folded edge, lift it up and it will
stand. Typically, this napkin is rotated so that the folded edge
faces the guest. You can also fold out the back sections to create a
different look.
Thank you, Ray Duffy.
Tip – A larger napkin will be more successful, a napkin with a print on one side only can be used and finally, coarsely woven or bulky textured napkins may not be as successful.
Fold
in half and in half again.
Rotate
the napkin making sure all “loose points” are at the top.
Fold
up the bottom half to align that half with the loose points at the
top.
Flip
over left to right, don’t change the orientation.
With
the loose points on top, take two hands and fold the left and right
corners down, toward your body.
Flip
over left to right.
Then
fold those points that are closest to your body back to the smooth
side forming a straight edge. First illustration is what you see from
the front. The second illustration is what you see after the tips
have been folded up viewing the back/smooth side.
Fold
in half.
Hold
the folded napkin in one hand and slip your index finger under the
center fold (see arrow); hold snug.
With
the second hand, lift the “petals” (loose points) up one by one
to shape the bird.
Thank you, Geraldine Halvston.
This fold can be tricky at first, but don’t give up. It really attracts attention.
Tip — A napkin with a print on one side only can successfully be used. The napkins you choose need to be able to hold their shape and an 18-inch square is ideal.
Fold
the napkin in half.
Fold
the top layer in half again, this time towards the initial center-
fold.
Flip over left to right and do the same with the other half.
End
view.
Fold in half; the left goes over the right half.
A. Take the top half of the napkin (you just folded) and fold in
thirds (accordion style) towards the center-fold.
B. Flip over left to right, and fold this side as the previous step 6A.
Now pick up this bundle and notice that each end is different. One end has “raw” & folded edges (18); the other has all folded edges (12).
Hold firmly (not tight) in one hand, the end with raw and folded edges.
With the other hand you will use your index finger and thumb to
separate the points. Place your index finger between both layers of
fabric that is on the crease of the napkin (note: the arrow is
pointing to it). Now with your thumb pinching with your index finger,
gently pull it down so it is even with the outside of the bundle,
forming another point. One side has 2 and the other will have 3.