Standing Napkin Fan

Shake up your table setting with this standing napkin fan fold—a simple yet elegant way to display paper napkins for any occasion!

Perfect for Christmas, Thanksgiving, weddings, birthdays, and formal dinners, this quick and easy fold adds a stylish touch with minimal effort.

Want to make your table look instantly more elegant with minimal effort?

The standing napkin fan fold is a simple yet stunning way to display paper napkins at any gathering!

Whether you’re hosting a fancy dinner party, a Christmas feast, Thanksgiving meal, or even a wedding reception, this easy fold adds a touch of sophistication without requiring special skills or materials.

This classic fan fold not only looks impressive but also stands upright on its own, making it a perfect decorative element for your dining table.

It works beautifully with paper napkins (especially ones with a slight stiffness) and can be customized to match your color scheme or party theme.

From casual family dinners to formal celebrations, this quick and easy napkin fold is an effortless way to impress your guests.

Try it with holiday-themed napkins for Christmas or Thanksgiving, or use pastel shades for Easter and spring brunches. The possibilities are endless!

Other easy to make napkin folds you might like to make include this simple pocket napkin fold, diagonal pocket napkin fold, diamond shaped napkin fold with pouch, or bunny napkin fold!

Why You'll Love This Pattern

• No Extra Supplies Needed – Just grab a paper napkin and start folding!
• Elegant Yet Simple – Adds a touch of class without being complicated.
• Perfect for Any Occasion – Great for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day Thanksgiving, Easter, weddings, birthdays, and formal dinners.
• Versatile & Customizable – Match napkin colors to your table setting or event theme.
• Works with Paper Napkins – No need for expensive cloth napkins!

Skill Level

★☆☆☆☆ (Very Easy)

Materials Needed

Standard square paper napkins.

Napkin Type: Use sturdy yet foldable paper napkins.

A medium-weight napkin (around 60-80 GSM) works best for this project, as it holds folds well but is still easy to handle. Thin napkins may lose their shape, while thicker ones may be harder to crease neatly.

You can use small, medium, or large square paper napkins to make different fan sizes.

Instructions

Step 1: Open out your napkin. 

Typically, napkins come folded into quarters, so when you open out your napkin it should fold out into a larger square with 2 creases which divide the napkin into 4 smaller squares.

Start with the outside color (such as the colored side or patterned side) of the napkin facing down.

Step 2: Fold the left edge to the right edge.

Step 3: Fold the bottom edge up slightly.

Step 4: Flip your paper over from left to right. The folded edge should be at the bottom.

Step 5: Fold the bottom edge up again to the same width you made in step 3.

Step 6: Flip your paper over from left to right.

Step 7: Fold the bottom edge up once again like you did in the previous steps.

Step 8: Repeat steps 4 to 7 until you nearly reach the top. Leave about 1.5 inches to 2 inches (4 cm to 5 cm) unfolded at the top.

Tips For Success

• Use slightly stiff napkins – Helps the fan stand up neatly.
• Pre-fold the creases firmly – This keeps the folds crisp and professional-looking.
• Match your napkins to the occasion – Go for red and gold for Christmas, earthy tones for Thanksgiving, or pastels for spring gatherings.

Common Mistakes & How To Avoid Them

• Flimsy napkins may not hold the shape – Choose thicker paper napkins for best results.
• Uneven folds – Take your time making even, symmetrical folds to keep the fan balanced.
• Not pressing the folds firmly – Go over each fold with your fingers to keep them crisp.

Color, Paper Ideas, and Variations

• Festive Colors: Red, green, and gold for Christmas; orange and brown for Thanksgiving.
• Elegant Themes: White, silver, or navy for weddings or formal dinners.
• Fun & Bright: Pink, yellow, or blue for birthday parties and spring brunches.
• Printed Napkins: Use floral or holiday-themed napkins to match the occasion!

FAQ

Other Paper Crafts You Might Like To Try:

• Origami Bow
• Daisy Paper Flowers
• Origami Birds
• Easy Bunny Gift Box
• Paper Leaf Envelope

Helpful Origami Tips

If you're curious to learn more about origami, you might like to look at our basic guides on how to make some common origami folds.

Start with the valley fold and mountain fold—these are the foundation of most origami models.

Once you're comfortable, you might like to try the petal fold for 3D shapes, and explore the bird base and square base for more complex designs.

The water bomb base is also great for creating inflatable or geometric models, like this inflatable origami rabbit.