This section is from the book "The Steward's Handbook And Guide To Party Catering", by Jessup Whitehead. Also available from Amazon: Larousse Gastronomique.
Fold the napkin in half lengthwise to the right, and turn down top edge A A by dotted line X X to centre line CC; repeat the same with bottom edge B B by dotted line O O to centre line C C, as shown in fig. 1; it will then appear like fig. 2. Next proceed to fold in half towards you by turning down top edge D D by centre line C C to bottom edge E E, which makes it resemble fig. 3. In this figure lift up the edge F F at bottom, and bring the right-hand top corner C, tucking it under edge held up by left hand until it somes level with centre line X X; repeat the same with left-hand top corner C, bring it underneath bottom edge F F, which must now be held up by right hand until the corner C comes level with centre line X X, and level with the right-hand corner previously tucked underneath; it will then form fig.4. Now fix it upon the bottom edge A A, open out the sides right and left at B and C equal distances all round. It is then finished as seen in fig. 5. Dinner rolls can be placed in any of the recesses.

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.
Fold the napkin into three parts lenghtwise, as seen in fig. i, then take the right-hand end A A and fold in to the centre marked X X; repeat the same with left hand B B to the centre line X X, depicted in first fig.; it then forms fig. 2. In this diagram turn down the right-hand top corner C to centre X X, repeat the same by turning up the left-hand bottom corner D by dotted line; turn the whole over, keeping the points right and left of you, as seen in fig. 3. In this diagram turn down top edge A A to bottom edge B B, at the same time giving the left-hand corner a lift upwards, so as to allow the underneath point to appear; it will then resemble fig. 4. Proceed now by turning the right-hand corner A by dotted line X X, lifting with the left hand the uppermost point marked E, and put the right-hand-corner under it; turn the napkin over to the left, and repeat the same with another corner B, which appears to the right hand by dotted line X X; tuck this between the edges at C, crease the whole well, then open bottom edges and fix up, pressing the centre part down, where the dinner roll or a piece of bread may be put or underneath or the menus can set in on top, and you nave this pattern finished as seen in fig. 6

Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3.

Fig. 4.

Fig. 5.

Fig. 6.
 
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