Napkin Folding: Bishop's Hat (PHOTOS)

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Flickr photo by Dennis Wong

You can't go wrong with a classic, and the same holds true for napkin folds. The Bishop's Hat is a traditional, sophisticated fold that will look amazing on any tablescape. It only takes a minimal time investment to create this look, but we recommend making them in advance (you know, to get one thing off of your holiday to-do list). To get the crispest points on the corners of the "cap," we recommend ironing the napkin first with a bit of starch.

Click here for the step-by-step photo tutorial, and enjoy!

Want more napkin folding ideas? Check out this slideshow.

 
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10:04 AM on 11/27/2011
Sometimes nice to read just normal and nice stuff.
11:06 PM on 11/26/2011
I don't bother to fold, heck most of my dinner either lands on my lap or my shirt.. Can dress me up, but can't take me out, lol
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Martha Stuart
07:53 PM on 11/26/2011
I appreciated the article. A beautiful table is an invitation to enjoy a delicious meal. It may not be for everyone or everyday, but it is nice for those of us who don't mind putting in a little extra effort!
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george22552
05:14 PM on 11/26/2011
Ok, but what's the proper way to fold it after you blow your nose in it ? I mean, I'm sure there IS and is SNOT a proper way, yes? Hmmmmm?
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Paws Up
09:53 PM on 11/26/2011
ummm..please dont blow your nose at the table. And DONT blow your nose into a cloth table napkin that will be reused. thats gross.
05:04 PM on 11/26/2011
I realize this is not for everyone. But I'm in the restaurant business and liked the article. My family has been on cruise ships and had "Fold offs" with the dining staff. The last cruise had discontinued the sommelier position. Sorry if I spelled it incorrectly. But my son is one, he got up and taught the wait staff the proper way to present the wine and how to pour correctly. They appreciated the lesson very much.
We have about 40 people at Thanksgiving. Because of our business, they have high expectations. We use a large tent, silverware, tablecloths, linen napkins and chair covers. We use plastic plates, and plastic glassware. It is the heavy plasic that looks like real china. About six of us cook. Pork two ways, turkey three ways, venison, shrimp, crab & scallops. About five salads and lots of vegs, and desserts. It's our favorite holiday. We live in Florida so being outside is acceptable.
04:31 PM on 11/26/2011
This is what seperates humans from animals. Sadly, it appears the majority of bloggers here fall into the latter category.
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javajosie
Oh No! My micro-bio is empty!
07:04 PM on 11/26/2011
What, we're animals because we don't care if our napkins are folded into cute shapes?
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BUTCHER99
11:03 PM on 11/26/2011
I bet the wait staff enjoyed it. They are paid to look like they enjoyed it. I would be willing to bet as soon as you were out of sight you were called a pampas as.ole .
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jemteku
My Micro-Bio is Empty
03:25 PM on 11/26/2011
Just fold the dang thing in half and put the silverware on it.
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javajosie
Oh No! My micro-bio is empty!
04:05 PM on 11/26/2011
Absolutely!
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jemteku
My Micro-Bio is Empty
04:36 PM on 11/26/2011
:o) Don't need my napkins folded like bishop hats. ha ha
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Rosemary Hirsch
02:49 PM on 11/26/2011
It is enjoyable to sit down to a neat, nice table with attractively folded napkins. However, I think the food on the table should be of more value than how cleverly the napkins are folded. I would like to spend my extra time preparing a tasty meal then worrying if the dinner napkins are cleverly disguised as something other than the purpose that they meant to be:a dinner napkin. However, I guess that it is just me being practical with limited time.
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Z06Corvette500
02:17 PM on 11/26/2011
People with nothing better to do with they time.This is one of thouse people that was in line for 18 hours at Target to get the napkins to fold.LOL
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02:05 PM on 11/26/2011
Have to agree. A napkin should be folded for a generic decoration not a symbol such as a man's shirt. That would also go for a woman's blouse as a napkin. Unless of course someone in the family man/woman is being celebrated.
01:19 PM on 11/26/2011
The economy is tanked,world unrest is everywhere,high unemployment prevails.
Lets forget all this , make the table look great while the house is in foreclosure...............
ae12wrangell
Everybody is entitled to my opinion
11:00 AM on 11/26/2011
I don't follow the idea of a "man's shirt" as a napkin. If this is to celebrate a man, screw the design, give me a regular napkin.
11:09 AM on 11/26/2011
Sounds like someone got up on the wrong side of thier beddy bye.
11:41 AM on 11/26/2011
LOL thanks for the chuckle!
ae12wrangell
Everybody is entitled to my opinion
11:51 AM on 11/26/2011
I have to write everything according to how "Stan Johnson" see's it? Not on your life!
01:03 PM on 11/26/2011
I do the man's shirt fold using a rectangle of Christmas wrap paper (12" by 4", I think). This makes it the length of a shirt with the sleeves and the collar. I glue three tiny buttons to the front, punch a hole at the collar and insert a hang cord. They realy turn out adorable. I make them for the Caring Christmas Tree at my church and they are quite popular.
10:06 AM on 11/26/2011
Those napkin arrangements http://www.kitchenremodelinginfoguide.info are awesome, like I've seen on cruise ships.
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jemteku
My Micro-Bio is Empty
03:28 PM on 11/26/2011
I saw an article for a cruise ship line where the towels were folded to look like a small dog. THAT I thought was cute. But fancy napkin folding is not for me. Guess I am a Napkin Grinch.
09:52 AM on 11/26/2011
And my mother told me never to wipe my hands on my shirt?????????
ae12wrangell
Everybody is entitled to my opinion
11:01 AM on 11/26/2011
Good point. I NEVER realized it a first glance.
08:53 AM on 11/26/2011
Mens shirt

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