How to make a napkin pocket fold
Napkin Pocket Fold: try all 4 steps in the 3D player. Turn and replay every move. Print the complete diagram sheet or save it as PDF.
An Origami Tutor cutlery pocket with a deep front flap and a clearly open, hemmed mouth. The sides fold behind first, then the lower end folds up into a tall sleeve.
- You need
- One square cloth or paper napkin. An iron helps with cloth napkins.
- Start
- Use a pressed square napkin, about 45 cm across. Start right side up with an edge at the top. Keep the side folds parallel and press the short hem firmly before raising the pocket.
- Tips
- Keep the long side folds parallel so the pocket has an even width.
- Set the pocket flat before inserting the cutlery, then straighten the mouth around the handles.
Your model is ready
Lay the pocket on the plate and slide the cutlery handles behind the hemmed mouth. Keep it flat while filling it: the folded side edges are not sealed.
Step-by-step diagrams
- 1
Fold the left third behind
Fold the left third behind the middle strip along the vertical line, keeping the top and bottom edges level.
- 2
Fold the right third behind
Fold the right third behind as well. The napkin is now a long strip one third of its original width.
- 3
Hem the pocket edge
Fold the bottom edge up by one tenth of the original square's height, through every layer. This narrow hem will mark the pocket mouth.
- 4
Raise the deep pocket
Fold the lower end up along the marked line, three fifths of the way down the original square. Its hemmed edge now lies a little below the top of the back panel.
- ✓
Finish
Lay the pocket on the plate and slide the cutlery handles behind the hemmed mouth. Keep it flat while filling it: the folded side edges are not sealed.
Fold next
House ↗
The traditional flat house from Froebel's paper folding, with a long roof and two gate pockets.
Christmas tree napkin ↗
The Christmas tree napkin fold for a holiday table: a square napkin folded in quarters, its loose corners stepped up into four tiers and its sides tucked behind into a tall tree.
Candle napkin ↗
The candle napkin fold for a holiday table: a square napkin folded to a triangle and rolled up from one corner into a tall candle whose top ends in a flame-like point.
Pleated fan ↗
An Origami Tutor paper fan with twelve radial panels and a rounded rim. One square folds into a doubled leaf, gathers into a narrow packet and opens into a broad half-circle, without cuts or glue.