How to Wrap Silverware in Paper Napkins

Co-authored by Tami Claytor

Last Updated: December 30, 2022 References Approved

Whether you’re preparing for a special event or just want to add some flair to a dinner at home, wrapping silverware in a paper napkin adds a nice touch to any table. You can roll your silverware securely in the napkin, or fold it into a decorative pouch. Add your choice of color and finishing touches to make your silverware presentation amazing!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Creating a Simple Silverware Roll

1
Obtain cutlery and a square paper napkin. You can use any silverware or paper napkins you like. You can choose to use napkins that are all white, solid colored, or patterned. Just make sure they are square shaped and large enough to hold your silverware.^{[1]
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- Make sure your paper napkins are high quality and durable. You do not want them to rip while folding.
- Avoid cocktail napkins that are only 9 ¹⁄₂ inches (24 cm) square. Use lunch or dinner napkins, which are typically 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) square, and large enough to hold standard size silverware.^{[2]
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2
Place the knife on the napkin diagonally. To begin, put your napkin flat on the table. Then, place your knife on the napkin so that it lies diagonally. The point of the knife should be just slightly past the corner point, about ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm).^{[3]
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- Where you place your knife is very important, as this how far your cutlery will stick out of the napkin roll when you’re finished. Make sure the knife doesn't stick out too far, or your silverware may fall out of the napkin.
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3
Stack the spoon and fork on top of the knife. Once your knife is in place, set the fork directly on top of it, and then stack the spoon on the fork. They should fit in a neat stack, with the bottoms of their handles even with eachother. Hold the silverware in place so it doesn't fall over as you move on to the next step.^{[4]
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Fold the bottom corner over the ends of the silverware. While holding the cutlery stack in place, grab the bottom corner of the napkin with your other hand and fold it over the ends of the silverware. Make sure your silverware stays in place while you do this, because you don’t want them to fall over.^{[5]
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- If the bottom corner does not fold over, move your silverware stack up slightly.
5
Bring a side corner over the silverware and roll the silverware in the napkin. Grab a side corner of the napkin and fold it over the handles of the silverware towards the opposite corner. Fold it so that the silverware is snug in the napkin, but don’t hold it too tight. You don’t want the napkin to tear. Now that your silverware is wrapped snugly in the napkin fold, roll it over until your silverware holder is complete.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Tami Claytor
Etiquette Coach
Expert Interview. 29 September 2020.}
6
Use a napkin band to hold the silverware in place. If you’re worried about your silverware roll unraveling, hold it in place with a paper napkin band. You can find napkin bands in a variety of colors online or in stores. Most are self-adhesive, so all you need to do is place it tightly around the completed napkin roll and secure it in place.^{[7]
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- If you’re using napkin rolls for a wedding or other special event, you can find some online stores that allow you to customize your napkin bands.
7
Tie a string or ribbon around the napkin for added decoration. Add your personal style to the napkin roll by tying a ribbon or string around it. You can tie the ribbon or string in a simple knot, or make a bow, depending on your personal preference. If you used a napkin band to hold the napkin in place, you can tie the string or ribbon around the center of the band.^{[8]
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Expert Source

Tami Claytor
Etiquette Coach
Expert Interview. 29 September 2020.}
- Match your silverware display to the current season or occasion. For example, for a graduation party, wrap silverware in a white napkin and a red ribbon to look like a rolled diploma.
- You can place all of your rolled silverware in a basket for a nice silverware display at a buffet.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making a Decorative Silverware Pouch

1
Get a square napkin with your choice of colors and patterns. If you want to create a decorative napkin pouch for your silverware, opt for a napkin style with a decorative pattern or picture instead of just plain white. This will give your table a fun and stylish look. There are many different patterns to choose from, especially during the holidays.
- Some decorative paper napkins have the colors and patterns on the outside but are blank on the inside. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully to ensure your pattern is showing when your silverware pouch is completed.
- The napkins you choose can be any size, but make sure they are square-shaped.
2
Unfold the napkin and place it face-up on the table. Paper napkins will come already folded. To begin your pouch, completely unfold the napkin and place it on the table face-up so the color side is showing. This is important so that, when your pouch is finished, the pattern you chose will be showing with your silverware.^{[9]
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Fold the napkin in half to make a rectangle. With the napkin lying face-up on the table, grab the bottom corners and fold along the crease so you have a rectangle. The corners nearest to you should perfectly align with the corners farthest from you. When you fold it like this, the back of the napkin should be showing. In other words, the colored pattern is facing inward.^{[10]
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4
Fold the napkin again so you have a square. Next, fold the napkin one more time by bringing the right side over to the left, being careful to align the corners. Now, you should have a square the same size as the one you began with, before you unfolded the napkin. At this point, however, the napkin pattern should be hidden. The back of the napkin is on the outside of the square now, and the fold should be on the right side.^{[11]
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- Make sure you fold along the crease so the square is even and straight.
5
Fold the top-most layer of the napkin in half diagonally. Now that you have your square with the fold on the right side, bring the top-most layer of the left napkin corner over to the bottom right corner. This will create a diagonal fold going from the top right corner to the bottom left corner. Then, press it down to make a crease. This fold will expose your napkin pattern again.^{[12]
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Turn the napkin over and fold the right and left sides inward. Now, lift the left side of the napkin and turn it over to the other side. Fold the right side toward the center of the napkin about 1/3 of the way across its width. Then, do the same thing on the left side by folding it over the right side about 1/3 of the way. Press your folds down to make a defined crease. You should now have a thin rectangle with two folds, one overlapping the other.^{[13]
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Insert the left-side corner fold into the right-side corner. Open the left fold slightly, and you should see a small diagonal pouch in the corner of the napkin. Take the corner of the top fold and insert it into the corresponding corner pouch. This will keep your silverware in place.^{[14]
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8
Flip the napkin over and insert utensils in the pouch. Now, turn over your napkin and you should see a snug pouch. You can put your utensils in the napkin side by side in any order you choose. Then you’re finished!^{[15]
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- Be careful not to tear the paper napkin when inserting your utensils.
- You can decorate your finished napkin pouch by tying a colored string or ribbon around it. But keep in mind, this type of napkin pouch works well without any extra embellishments; especially when the napkin already has a decorative pattern.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I make wrapped silverware look nice?

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

Etiquette Coach

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Lay the napkin flat and place the silverware on top of it, then roll the napkin up. Tie a pretty bow around the napkin with a piece of string, then place the silverware to the right of each place at the table.