General Napkins Sizes and Uses.

6″ square – Cocktail

12″-15″  square- Luncheon

17″ square – Luncheon or casual dinner

20″-22″ square – Dinner

Napkin fabrics, colors and patterns.

White is always in good taste. Having gotten that out of the way, solid colors, damask patterns and prints are fashionable and can be used to enhance your table setting or theme.

I would say that hemstitch napkins are the best choice for fine dinner napkins. Try to purchase the 22″ x 22″ if available,  as they will shrink. Otherwise purchase the 20″ x 20″ but be aware that they will shrink down to a 18″ x18″ after the first washing. Yes, they are white, but resist using chlorine bleach to clean them. Try an oxy bleach products instead. Remember, Bleach is never really your friend, it is more of a frenemy and can ruin the fabric instead of clean it if not handled carefully.

Damask napkins are also a wonderful classic choice for a dinner napkin. They make wonderful wedding gifts. If you give napkins as a gift, make sure you give at least a 6 napkins and a full dozen if even better as they can be used for bread baskets

Just make sure that you choose a napkin that is functional. A sheer organza napkin or a sequin napkin, though perhaps perfect for your theme party is not going to do your guests any good when they go to use the napkin and it does have any ability to absorb.

As much as I don’t like paper napkins (remember I manufacturer cloth napkins) you can buy some really  fun colorful printed paper products. And quite frankly  there are definitely some parties that are better served with paper, like my daughters 8th grade graduation party or a cocktail party with 100 guests. Cloth napkins? I think not! Messy foods, high guest count and kids all qualify for paper napkins in my book.

What can you do with the napkin? Just about anything you want to.

Fold and roll them in a gazillion different patterns. They write entire books about napkin folds if you are so inclined to know fold your napkins like origami birds. You can also check on line under napkin folds for some ideas.

Place flowers, herbs, menus and gifts in them and set them on the table.

Wrap ribbons, twine, leather, bark, string and grape vines around them.

Wrap silverware in them.

Put napkin rings, tassels, silk flowers and beaded strings around them.

You can place them on the charger plate, next to the forks, draped across the back of the chair, fown the endge of table or place them in a glass (pretty please, don’t do this one).

You can do anything you want to a napkin. Experiment and be creative with your napkin embellishments.