Napkin Sizes
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 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.
Damask napkins are also a wonderful classic choice for a dinner napkin. They make wonderful wedding gifts. Make sure you give at least a dozen of them.
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, is not going to do your guests any good when then go to use the napkin.
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. 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. Check on line as well.
Place flowers, herbs, menus and gifts in them.
Wrap ribbons, twine, leather, string and grape vines around them.
Wrap silverware in them.
Monogram them. Horchow catalog has the best deal with free monogramming.
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 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.