Your square napkin should now look like a rectangle.
To make a bigger pleat, make the size of the folded over portion bigger. To make a smaller pleat, make the size of the folded over portion smaller.
Alternatively, you can create the accordion fold by first folding one way and then the opposite way, stacking the napkin’s pleats on top of each other as you go. Continue this process about halfway up the rectangle, maintaining an identical size for each pleat as you go along. This creates half of the fan portion of your display.
Now you have made the entire fan portion and have prepared the back to become the stand.
Alternatively, you can tuck the end back end into the accordion folds of the fan.
Determine how big you want your pleats to be by making the first fold to-size. Then make the next fold twice as wide. However, before you crease that fold, fold half of the extra-large pleat the opposite direction, creating pleats identical in size to your first one. Do this for the entire length of the napkin.
You should still be able to freely spread the fan’s edges; if you can’t, you’ve slid the ring over the wrong end.
Unlike the standing fan, this fan displays lying down.
You can use a T-square or two rulers aligned perpendicular to one another at a 90 degree angle to double check your napkins’ squareness.
Light colors create a sense of space. Dark colors create a more intimate atmosphere.
Food stains: use a pre-treatment solution like Shout, Spray N’ Wash, or Resolve Stain Remover before washing. Follow the product’s directions featured on the packaging (each product will have slightly different directions, so be careful). Candle wax: scrape off as much of the excess wax first and then place the napkin between two paper towels. Iron the tablecloth between the paper towels to soak up more of the wax. Finish with an application of Goof Off, Goo Gone, or candle wax remover. Oil or grease: apply and scrub at with clear dish soap (which is formulated to get rid of grease and oil). Red wine stains: prep the stain by applying white wine, club soda, or salt paste. Coffee stains: apply diluted vinegar and then soak the cloth in warm, not hot, water. Ink: use hairspray or denatured alcohol.
Do not use chlorine bleach on white linen napkins. While bleach will restore most white cloth to its original state, chlorine bleach will actually yellow linen. Avoid putting any other items in the washing machine. Other fabrics will increase the amount of friction that the linen will experience, and if they are of a different color those colors could run onto the napkins. Do not use any fabric softeners on linen. Repeat as needed if you notice any stains upon completion.
Starching and then ironing your napkins will help them to keep their form once folded and to have extra crisp creases. Do not use a mechanical dryer to dry your linen napkins. Doing so will weaken the fibers, causing them to become brittle and shortening the longevity of your napkins.
