Napkin Origami: 25 Creative and Fun Ideas for Napkin Folding [Paperback]

Brian Sawyer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 3, 2008

Why fold a napkin into an ordinary square when it can become a swan, bread holder, or pirate’s ship? Like magic, these amazing origami projects turn humble paper or fabric napkins into restaurant-worthy centerpieces that transform the table. There’s a napkin sculpture for any and every occasion: simple patterns, such as a leaf, fish, or heart; designs for those special moments, including a baby bootie for a shower or a bunny for Easter dinner; innovative creations like a peacock, dessert server, and carousel; and complex shells, rosettes, and pleated wraps for formal dining. All the traditional origami techniques, tips, and symbols are beautifully explained; elegant photography throughout makes the process easy to follow and showcases the remarkable results.

 

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Napkins need no longer be a boring square of set dressing on a well-laid table. This book gives fun and fanciful ideas on how to turn your plain-Jane napkin into everything from a pirate ship to an elegant seashell. It takes the basic techniques of the Japanese paper-folding art and applies it to the lowly napkin, both paper and cloth. The book begins with a clear and concise description of the basic folds involved and the different techniques one should use with cloth versus paper napkins as well as a key to the illustrated instructions. The designs themselves are broken down between simple models, such as an ice-cream cone using two different colored napkins or the shirt-and-tie design on the book’s cover; designs for special occasions, like roses and baby bootees; then into more complex and formal designs, like swans and shells. Although the techniques may take practice for greater perfection, the instructions here make the projects easy and fun. A little bit of work and anyone can have a Martha Stewart–worthy table! --Tina Coleman

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Sterling/Hollan (May 3, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402752954
• ISBN-13: 978-1402752957
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #11 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Origami
  • #12 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Etiquette > General

More About the Author

Brian Sawyer is a Senior Editor for O'Reilly Media, where he manages the Missing Manuals division. He has also served as lead editor for the company's popular Hacks series, editor for Head First and Make: Books titles, and contributing editor to Craft magazine. When not writing or editing about technology, he uses it to help train for marathons (see Chapter 4 of Best Android Apps).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Easy to follow, August 18, 2008

By 

Gordon Meyer (Chicago) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Napkin Origami: 25 Creative and Fun Ideas for Napkin Folding (Paperback)

Well-written with clear instructions and good step-by-step. I liked that there are a variety of shapes included. Many of them are quite challenging. Overall, think this book has the proverbial "something for everyone." If you're looking to dress up your table, this book is a good choice.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully set table..., December 4, 2010

By 

ColorStuff (SC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Napkin Origami: 25 Creative and Fun Ideas for Napkin Folding (Paperback)

...tells your guests they are special and worth your time and effort. My daughters are great with origami and napkin folding, and we never set a company table without specially folded napkins--even if they're just quickly stuffed into the glasses. I bought this book mainly because I wanted the bootie napkins for my daughter-in-law's baby shower. We had a 3-color scheme and set pairs of booties around the buffet tables. Too cute for words.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A little time please., November 8, 2009

By 

CSU (St. Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Napkin Origami: 25 Creative and Fun Ideas for Napkin Folding (Paperback)

Fun ideas for entertaining, but to also amuse little ones on rainy days. I liked the variety of designs, but as stated in other reviews, time to do it. These are not for the "oh oh company will be here in 15 minutes and the table's not set" host/hostess. An iron is quite helpful. The diagrams are detailed and easy to follow, even for the more complex folds. Having a finished photograph is an additional help in showing various table settings as well.