How To Make A Rose Out Of A Cloth Napkin: 8 Steps (with Pictures)

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Fold a Napkin into a Rose: Step-by-Step Instructions PDF download Download Article Display beautiful rose napkins at your next dinner party Co-authored by Tami Claytor and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: December 30, 2025 Fact Checked

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This article was co-authored by Tami Claytor and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA. Tami Claytor is an Etiquette Coach, Image Consultant, and the Owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette classes to individuals, students, companies, and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has created cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and cross-cultural awareness. She holds a BA in Economics with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Charm and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned her Image Consultant Certification. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 578,737 times.

Making a rose out of a cloth napkin or serviette is a great way to impress dinner guests, and it’s a lot easier than it looks. In this article, we’ll teach you all the steps to make a rose out of a cloth napkin and provide great ideas on how to display your creation. Plus, learn other ways to fold and decorate napkins for your next dinner party.

Folding a Napkin into a Rose

Illustration depicting the steps involved in folding a red cloth napkin into the shape of a rose.
  1. Fold a large, square napkin in half diagonally to form a triangle.
  2. Roll the long, bottom edge up until it reaches halfway up the napkin.
  3. Flip the napkin over and roll the tail end over until it reaches the other tail end.
  4. Tuck the free end of the napkin into a crease to hide it.
  5. Pull the two inner flaps out and flip the napkin over to form the rose.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

How to Make a Rose Out of a Cloth Napkin

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  1. Step 1 Fold a square napkin in half diagonally. 1 Fold a square napkin in half diagonally. Lay the napkin flat in front of you then fold it in half so it forms a triangle. If your napkin is only colored or patterned on one side, make sure the pattern faces the outside so your rose will be colorful.[1]
    • For the best results, use a cloth napkin that is 17 x 17 inches (43 x 43 cm) or 20 x 20 inches (50 x 50 cm) in size, as anything smaller may not fold properly.
    • This method is designed specifically for folding cloth napkins. It may be possible to fold a paper napkin the same way if it’s large enough, but because paper napkins tend to be smaller and thinner, it may break or fold incorrectly.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose out of a Cloth Napkin 2 Roll the napkin up from the bottom of the triangle. With the longest side near you, slowly roll the triangle up until it reaches halfway up the napkin. In general, aim to leave a 4-5 inch (10-12 cm) triangle unrolled at the top. This part can be a bit tricky, so it’s okay if you need to redo it a few times until you get the hang of it.[2]
    • The exact size of the unrolled part of the napkin will vary depending on the size of the napkin.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose out of a Cloth Napkin 3 Turn the napkin over and roll up the tail edge. Flip the napkin so that you can’t see the rolls, keeping the longest side nearest to you. At this stage, the napkin should look like a triangle with two tails. Take the end of one tail and roll until it reaches the end of the other tail. When you're done rolling, tuck the free end of your napkin into the small pocket created at the bottom. The napkin will look like a torch or a candle.[3]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose out of a Cloth Napkin 4 Shape the two inside flaps to form the leaves. Inside your creation, there should be two flaps, which will become the leaves of the rose. Pull one to the left and the other to the right. Be gentle, as pulling too hard could cause the rose to fall apart. [4]
  5. Step 5 Turn the napkin over and make final adjustments. 5 Turn the napkin over and make final adjustments. When you flip the napkin over, the rose and its leaves will be revealed. Adjust the leaf flaps as necessary to make sure the napkin can sit up on its own, and shape the petals to your liking. Repeat this process with any remaining napkins.[5]
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Section 2 of 3:

How & When to Display Rose Napkins

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  1. Step 1 Arrange the napkins into a bouquet in the center of the table. 1 Arrange the napkins into a bouquet in the center of the table. Allow your rose napkins to be the centerpiece at your dinner party. Display enough roses for all your guests at the middle of the table. Not only will this add a pop of color to the decor, but each guest can grab one to use when their food arrives.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose out of a Cloth Napkin 2 Place the napkins on plates for a simple display. If you already have a lot of other decorations on your table, place a rose on each plate to avoid clutter. This way, guests can admire your craftsmanship while being able to easily access their napkin.[6]
    • Etiquette coach Tami Claytor says the “standard way” to display a napkin is on the left side of the plate. This is another simple option for your rose.[7]
  3. Step 3 Display them in teacups or wine glasses. 3 Display them in teacups or wine glasses. If you’re looking for a unique way to display your napkins, tucking them inside cups or glasses can give your table a delicate touch. This look works especially well if you’re having a tea or garden party.
    • This is a great idea if your party happens to be Alice in Wonderland themed!
  4. Step 4 Make rose napkins for special holidays and events. 4 Make rose napkins for special holidays and events. Roses are a symbol of love, so folding rose napkins is a great idea if you’re having a Valentine’s Day party, anniversary dinner, or wedding reception. Choose a napkin color that best matches the event, like red, white, or green for Christmas and orange and brown for Thanksgiving. Rose napkins are a great touch for any occasion.[8]
    • Even if you’re not hosting a dinner party or special event, feel free to fold rose napkins to add a bit of class and elegance to any meal.
    • Play around with different napkin colors and fabrics. For example, red napkins are great for Valentine’s day or romantic dinners, and velvet napkins can give any dinner a luxurious touch.
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Section 3 of 3:

Other Ways to Fold Napkins

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose out of a Cloth Napkin 1 Bow tie/Ribbon Fold a square napkin diagonally to form a triangle, then grab the top corner of the triangle and fold downward several times until you’re left with a long strip of fabric with pointed ends. Fold each end inward and upward at an angle, crossing over each other to form a bow shape. Slide a napkin ring onto the middle to hold the shape.[9]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose out of a Cloth Napkin 2 Envelope Lay a square napkin in front of you and fold it diagonally to form a triangle. Fold the bottom two corners inward so the tips touch. Then, fold the sides in so they meet in the middle. Fold the bottom of the napkin upward to hide the inner creases and form the body of the envelope. Finally, fold the top piece of the triangle down to “seal” your envelope.[10]
    • For an extra surprise, slip your dinner menu inside the napkin before closing it!
    • If you don’t want to make an actual envelope, Claytor recommends making a pocket for your silverware. She says, “If you fold [the napkin] in half, take the free side and fold it behind the cloth, [then] tuck them in each other, it'll form an envelope and you can slip the flatware in there.”[11]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose out of a Cloth Napkin 3 Fan fold Fold a square napkin in half to form a rectangle. Then, starting at the short end, fold the napkin into 1-inch (2.5 cm) accordion pleats, stopping about 4 inches (10 cm) from the opposite end. Ensure that the last pleat is folded at the bottom edge of the napkin and all other pleats are underneath it. Fold the napkin in half lengthwise so the pleats are on top, then fold the upper left corner down and tuck it behind the center pleat to form a triangle. Let go of the napkin so the pleats fan out.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Make a Rose out of a Cloth Napkin 4 Heart Fold a square napkin in half, then in half again by folding the bottom part upward. Find the center of your folded napkin, then fold the left side upward from that center point and repeat with the right side. Fold down the top right corner of the left side of the heart and the top left corner of the right side of the heart to create the rounded tops of the heart.[12]
    • There are countless other ways to fold napkins, including pyramids, swans, candlesticks, and more. Have fun exploring all the different ways you can add character to your next dinner party.
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Join the Discussion...

What are some fancy napkin folding ideas? Jules Hirst Jules Hirst Etiquette Coach Great question! Fancy napkin folds are such a fun and elegant way to elevate your table—whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just want to make a weeknight meal feel a little more special.Etiquette Tip: Always use cloth napkins for special occasions, and be sure to pre-iron them before folding—crisp edges truly make all the difference.Here are three of my favorite folds you can try, with easy step-by-step instructions:🌹 The Rose Fold: Romantic and charming1. Lay the napkin flat in a diamond shape.2. Roll tightly from the bottom point to the top.3. Coil the roll into a spiral (like a cinnamon roll), tucking the tail underneath.4. Fluff the outer edges to resemble petals.5. Add a sprig of greenery underneath for an extra flourish.🎀 The Bow Tie Fold: Playful yet refined1. Fold the napkin into a rectangle.2. Fold each short end to the center.3. Pinch in the middle to create a bow.4. Secure with a ribbon or napkin ring.5. Fluff both sides of the bow.✉️ The Envelope Fold: A personal, thoughtful touch1. Fold napkin in half horizontally.2. Fold both sides inward to overlap.3. Fold bottom point up like sealing an envelope.4. Slip in a place card or handwritten note. Read More See all 2 Replies and Read Discussion

Expert Q&A

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  • Question What are some creative ways I can display rose napkins? Tami Claytor Tami Claytor Etiquette Coach Tami Claytor is an Etiquette Coach, Image Consultant, and the Owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette classes to individuals, students, companies, and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has created cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and cross-cultural awareness. She holds a BA in Economics with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Charm and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned her Image Consultant Certification. Tami Claytor Tami Claytor Etiquette Coach Expert Answer One thing you can try is folding the napkins into roses and then placing them in the water glasses. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 2
  • Question What is the procedure to do a table napkin? Community Answer Community Answer Fold it in half diagonally, then again. Then pull the inside flap out to create a beautiful table top decoration. This is a traditional restaurant napkin fold. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5
  • Question Can you do this with a paper napkin? T. Chinsen T. Chinsen Top Answerer A paper napkin would have to be at least a dinner size. The shaping of the rose will not look as full as a cloth napkin due to compression of the paper during assembly. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 3
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Tips

  • While this method may not work well with paper napkins, there are other ways to fold paper napkins into roses. For example, try wrapping one end of the napkin around your finger to form the petals, then twisting the rest of the napkin to create a stem. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Don’t give up if your rose doesn’t turn out the way you want on the first try. Practice makes perfect, and remember, all roses look different! Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.jci-gardena.org/blog/start-a-budding-summer-with-a-blooming-rose-napkin
  2. ↑ https://www.jci-gardena.org/blog/start-a-budding-summer-with-a-blooming-rose-napkin
  3. ↑ https://www.jci-gardena.org/blog/start-a-budding-summer-with-a-blooming-rose-napkin
  4. ↑ https://southernhomeandhospitality.com/easy-valentines-day-napkin-fold-tutorials/
  5. ↑ https://southernhomeandhospitality.com/easy-valentines-day-napkin-fold-tutorials/
  6. ↑ https://happilyeverafteretc.com/quick-and-easy-rose-napkin-fold/
  7. ↑ Tami Claytor. Etiquette Coach. Expert Interview
  8. ↑ https://www.alabouroflife.com/fall-tablescape-with-rose-napkins/
  9. ↑ https://fraicheliving.com/how-to-make-pretty-bow-napkin/
More References (3)
  1. ↑ https://southernhomeandhospitality.com/easy-valentines-day-napkin-fold-tutorials/
  2. ↑ Tami Claytor. Etiquette Coach. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ https://betweennapsontheporch.net/valentines-day-heart-shaped-napkin-fold-tutorial/

About This Article

Tami Claytor Co-authored by: Tami Claytor Etiquette Coach This article was co-authored by Tami Claytor and by wikiHow staff writer, Raven Minyard, BA. Tami Claytor is an Etiquette Coach, Image Consultant, and the Owner of Always Appropriate Image and Etiquette Consulting in New York, New York. With over 20 years of experience, Tami specializes in teaching etiquette classes to individuals, students, companies, and community organizations. Tami has spent decades studying cultures through her extensive travels across five continents and has created cultural diversity workshops to promote social justice and cross-cultural awareness. She holds a BA in Economics with a concentration in International Relations from Clark University. Tami studied at the Ophelia DeVore School of Charm and the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she earned her Image Consultant Certification. This article has been viewed 578,737 times. How helpful is this? Co-authors: 20 Updated: December 30, 2025 Views: 578,737 Categories: Featured Articles | Napkins and Serviettes | Rose Crafts Article SummaryX

The easiest way to make a rose out of a napkin is to fold the napkin in half diagonally, then roll the folded side up halfway and flip the napkin over. Fold one “tail” into the other side and repeat with the other tail. Roll the napkin until it reaches the other side, and tuck in any extra cloth that’s sticking out. Pull apart the two flaps inside the rolled up napkin and turn it over to appreciate your creation! Read on for helpful videos and tips on how to display your napkins! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Pamela Miller

    Pamela Miller

    Nov 12, 2021

    "Thank you so much! The napkin from our 25th anniversary dinner was just folded up in a drawer for six years. I..." more
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Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Tami Claytor Co-authored by: Tami Claytor Etiquette Coach Click a star to vote Co-authors: 20 Updated: December 30, 2025 Views: 578,737 Pamela Miller

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"Thank you so much! The napkin from our 25th anniversary dinner was just folded up in a drawer for six years. I..." more Annabeth Chase

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"Wonderful! I made one with the tutorial then made another one without even looking, and it was even better! Thank..." more Rated this article: Martha Bowers

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"This allowed me to have the perfect table while celebrating my granddaughter's engagement and upcoming..." more Rated this article: Stephanie Gollan

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"So happy to find an easy way to make a rose from a napkin cloth, thanks so much. I have thoroughly enjoyed it." Richard Perez

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"It saved me and my sister from the fate of plain old napkins laid across the table for New Years Eve!" Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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