I grew up in the Seattle area, and one of the things I loved most about it (besides the damp rain, beautiful coast line, gorgeous mountains, and never-ending greenery) was the expansive mix of cultures you find there. The Asian influence is perhaps one of the strongest. My dear first grade teacher, Mrs. Okita, first introduced me to things like China town, hom bows, chopsticks, and something that became one of my favorite hobbies: origami. That’s right, little known fact about Sara: she still folds one heck of a paper crane. A few years later I was already developing a love for all things culinary and my Mom knew a great way to make use of both of those interests when she taught me how to make some fun folded napkins, like these bunnies. I loved holidays like Easter, Mother’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas because those were the times we got out the fancy dishes and actually used cloth napkins and I could practice my napkin-gami. (I’m going to trademark that term, don’t be stealin’.) I’ve seen the bunny napkins hopping around on Pinterest lately and it’s such a blast from the past, I thought it would be fun to share here. My kids thought they were awesome. And I just want to note- if you’re reading this saying, “Pshht…c’mon Sara, who uses cloth napkins?? Especially with children! I’m so not doing this.” Then 1. Cloth napkins are kind of fun for special meals, just invest in a set you can toss in the wash and don’t serve them with spaghetti 😉 and/or 2. You can totally do this with paper napkins! Just try to find some sturdy ones and use a gentle hand so you don’t tear them. You should all know by now that I’m a fan of the paper napkin. (Check out these cutie-patooties.) So, onto adorable little bunnies.
Start by folding a large square napkin in half, and then half again, to make a long rectangle.
If you have a cute edge on your napkin, like this one does, place it like I have in the photo in order to have the edge be the edge of the bunny’s ears.
Fold both ends of the rectangle down along the center line, as shown.
Then take the bottom corers and fold them up to the center
to form a square.
Fold the corners one more time, as shown below:
to form a kite shape.
Then flip the entire thing over. Once you’ve done this a few times, you won’t need to flip the whole napkin over for this next step, you can just reach behind and do this part, but for now it’s easiest to show this way. Just take the top of the “kite” and fold it over like this:
And then flip back to the other side once again. Almost done!
Lastly, you want to take those outer corners and fold one over the other. When you do, you’ll notice that one corner can fit right into the the fold on the other corner, like this:
If you have a particularly slippery or thin fabric that’s not staying wrapped up like this, you can tie a piece of ribbon or twine around that folded edge. Some people like to do decorative ribbons with little poofs for cotton tails. I just fold them and leave them as is. When you flip the napkin over it will look like the photo below left:
If you’re prepping ahead of time for a meal, just leave all of your napkins like that and store them until you’re ready to set the table. When that time comes, just use your hands to separate the bottom part for the little face and poof out the ears however you like.
You can open them up like the orange napkin above, or sort of fold them over like the brown one below. It kind of depends on the material.
How cute is that? And super easy, too.
It’s fun to try different fabrics and patterns and see how they all look a little different!
And honestly, after you do a couple, it’s actually super quick and easy. Go try it!
Questions & Reviews
so so cute
I totes love this tutorial although it doesn’t really work with paper. Ah-mazing!
OMG głupie
These are so cute I think I will host anEaster Brunch for my grandchildren on Saturday and use this cute idea!
Yes, more napkin tutorials! These were a huge hit today, and so easy!
we loved it we did it for easter
Thank you for the great illustrations and great instructions!
do you have to use cloth napkins or can you use paper?
Is there any way that you are missing a pic? Mine doesn’t look like your pic after where it says almost done. Love the idea and trying to have a great Easter meal for the missionaries tomorrow.
I love napkin folding!! Napkin-gami is an awesome new word I am adding to my vocabulary immediately-although I will definitely give credit to you for thinking it up! I have a different bunny that I do, but I think yours is cuter (and easier), and my daughter and I will have fun folding them together for this Sunday. One of my favorites for fancy dinners, though, is the lotus flower, since it is big, stunning, and can hold an orange or candies in the middle. 🙂 Thanks for this, you really are amazing when it comes to explaining processes!
Ok I’m so embarrassed . I figured that step out. Now I’m stuck on the next step. I know I’ll get it eventually. Ha ha.
So great! My best friend was Asian growing up and we always did origami. It was so much fun. Now I can teach my little ones. Thank you for reminding me of something from my childhood. I have no idea what I would do with napkins in my house (except fold them into bunnies). I think a trip to Pier One is in order. I just worry the kids won’t know what they are when I bring them home. We’re a casual fam.
These are darling! Pinning!
Can you share what brand the dishes are? Blue yellow and white? Such a cute post!!! 🙂
They’re from World Market and come in 4 darling colors. Here’s a link!
In defense of cloth napkins: now, I’m not one of those Martha Stewart types that have everything picture perfect (and a staff to clean up), but I haven’t used paper napkins for years, except when we have messy BBQ, or a lot of company. We each have a personalized napkin ring and use the napkins over and over until they need washing. If you don’t worry excessively about stains, wash-up is easy. If the napkin is made out of a fabric that would wrinkle in the dryer, I just finger press and air dry it. Easy peasy, and lots cheaper than buying paper.
Good point Wendy!
So cute! I am going to try it this weekend! I am wondering if the “hom bow” you were talking about are actually “hong bao”? The red envelop filled with money that the Chinese give at Chinese New Year? Hong means red and also a bonus, and bao means to hold, like a bag or container. Anyway, if so, there is your Mandarin lesson for the day!
I’ll take your Mandarin lesson and raise you a Chinese Sweet Bun Lesson 😉 Hom Bow is a soft, pillowy bun filled with sweet and savory meet combos like Asian BBQ pork. Mee Sum Pastry in the famous Pike Place Market sells the best ones I’ve ever tasted!
My wife makes and teaches homemade cards for several lades in our church. Can she use some of your ideas in her card making class?
Absolutely, Chuck!
Love this!
Great tutorial! I will be making these for Easter. Thanks
We have the sister missionaries coming over for Easter Dinner. This will be the perfect touch to add to our dinner table. Thanks for the tutorial. I would love to see more napkin-gami too, please! 🙂
These are so cute! They would look so perfect on an Easter table and I bet the kids would love it.
My girls will love making these for our table on Sunday. I”m hoping that my ikea paper napkins are sturdy enough because all of our cloth napkins are already packed to move. If the paper napkins don’t work, we’ll file the idea away for next year.
I’m putting in a vote for more napkin-gami too, please! I’m going to make these for dinner on Sunday to TOTALLY impress my niece and nephews. Yay!
Darling! Where are your chargers and plates from? I love them!
Cute idea! Totally pinning it!
I agree with Gina- I’m off to get some cloth napkins. What other napkin-gami can you teach us? WE WANT MORE!
Love this! I am off to get some cloth napkins!!! And yes, more napkin-gami! =)
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!! I’ve tried all week to master this with a tut. from another site and was totally frustrated. You absolutely rock in the tut. dept., the pics totally made the difference. They made it easy to see and do and I got it:)) I’ve got some beatiful linen napkins from my grandma and I’m making one for each of my sisters. It’ll be a great reminder of her, Thanks again:)
PS I’d be happy to see more napkin-gami!
Oh I’m so glad! I’ll totally post more napkin-gami, haha- I love it! What a cute idea too, to make with your Grandmother’s napkins, I love that.
I’d like to see more napkin-gami, too!
Des Moines, IA
These are adorable! Where did you get those cute striped napkins?
Thanks, Anne! All of the napkins in this post are from Pier One. Those striped ones are new in stores and I fell in love with them; they’re so fun and summery!
Thanks 🙂