The napkin: from linen cloth to cellulose form

Well! I have a few of you that have been asking me if I have some books on the napkins technique. I would love to offer some books on the napkins technique, but I am not able to find great ones in English. There are galore of books in French, but so few in English. I intend to add a French version of the site for my French-speaking customers. So I will offer the books in French. In the meantime, while trying to locate great books in English, I'll post more steps by steps projects or pictures with this technique.

Nowadays we have a great deal of choice with the paper napkins. They are great embellishments for our interiors. They allow us to be different by customizing our furniture, even our gifts. But how was it before the paper napkins. Who is the ancestor? Where did all start? Well my friends, here's a little historical recap. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

Napkins sizes and uses have changed over the years. The museums are great places with their paintings to illustrate that. From the large linen cloth to the small squared absorbent paper, the napkin has changed during the courses of centuries, but its function is still the same: cleanliness and protection of clothing.

In the XVth century, the collective napkin appears in a painting by the Flemish painter Dirk Bouts:


The Last Supper, Dirk Bouts (1415-1475), collegiate Saint Pierre de Louvain

We can see the napkin was a collective one for two, three guests. The napkin at this time was a very long linen cloth which ran along the table. There were no forks, they ate with their hands. The napkin wasn't superfluous!

During the Renaissance, the knives and forks appeared. They don't wipe anymore on the back of the hand or on the sleeve. The napkin became individual. The good manners code pointed out that ones needed to wipe his mouth and fingers before drinking. In other words, there was no more possibilities to transform ones glass into a trough with pigs!


We can see this first white napkin around the neck of a guest in the painting of Veronese "Wedding of Cana".


This is one of the biggest painting in the Louvre museum in Paris. Time to buy your ticket ;-)

In XVIIth century, the napkin spreaded on tables, at least in the bourgeois houses, and becomes a smart element of decor in the Dutch pictures for instance:

Willem Kalf, Desert, Ermitage Saint Pétersbourg


Jan Vermeer, Lady and gentlemen, museum of Brunswick
From now on, the napkin is seen in during the feasts...

Jacob Jordaens, ” The king drinks ” Mba of Brussels

Jan Steen, "The Twelfth-night", museum of Kassel

During the XVIIIth century, the napkin keeps its big dimensions, at least a metre aside, is in linen embroidered, monogrammed, damasked cotton. It hangs onto the buttonhole of the men' jacket:

Nicolas Lancret, " The lunch of ham ", Condé de Chantilly museum.

Jean-François de Troy often represented meals, where the napkin is staged in a nice way:

J.F. of Troy, "The lunch of oysters" Condé of Chantilly museum.

During the XIXth century, the napkin ring appeared and became its daily accomplice. This ring means that the napkin diminishes in size!


Claude Monet, Stadel museum Franckfort

In this beautiful painting of Monet we can see the ring napkin which still exist under this form.

The napkin then took colours in the second half of the XXth century. It was decorated with every sort of motives, and became smaller and smaller …

...to adopt this cellulose form which can be thrown away.

And now, the paper napkins are kept, collected and used to decorate and transform ordinary objects into extraordinary one-of-a-kind gifts!

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A small decopatch project!

A new Decopatch project. Why not to customize our small pieces of furniture? Especially those from the big Swedish home ;-)! This is a very simple project which asks only for the choice of your papers. I chose Decopatch #302, #301, and #388. To finish I accentuated the designs with some gold paint outliner. I hope this gives you some ideas to start your own project.

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Napkin technique - 1st technique

Don't you know yet the napkins technique? or do you already know it?

I'll try in this post to give you new ideas for your home decoration! Explore the richness of this technique which offers more and more possibilities thanks to an infinite variety of napkins papers. As you've surely noticed my store is specialized with papers with an ethnic flair. It doesn't mean that you cannot use another design. If you love flowers, bears or horses, that would do too!

In order to fully appreciate this napkin technique, I will show you step by step how to do it.
So what do you need for this technique?

Napkins

Napkins with different patterns- ethnic patterns or not, the choice is yours.

Other materials needed

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• varnish-glue
• adhesive tape
• scissors
• large adhesive tape
• brushes
• PVA glue

The supports

This technique can virtually be applied on any kind of surface: cardboard, iron, plastic, glass, polystyrene, wicker, metal, fabric, etc. However the wooden or terra-cotta base give better results. Try to choose light color base or prime in a shade that matches the color of the napkins. The colors of the napkins won't be too different in this case.

There ared different ways of working with the napkins technique. Today we'll see the cut technique.

How to:

1/ Using a pair of scissors cut out the napkin motif along the contours and remove the white layers. Most napkins are either 2-ply or 3-ply.

2/remove the white layers

3/Decide on napkin placement for the project. If you're working on a primed base be sure that the coat is totally dry first! Apply the varnish-glue using a soft brush.

4/ Wet the brush slightly with glue and spread evenly on the surface of the napkin until it is completely covered. Work slowly and be careful not to tear the napkin. Work from the center out towards the edge of the pattern.

5/ Allow to dry

6/ Done!

Always clean brushes with water immediately after use. Depending on quality of the napkins, smudges may appear around the motif. In this case, clean brushes with water frequently. Try a test area first. Do not varnish over the freshly applied motif while it is still wet, as it can easily tear.

Stay tuned for the second technique!

Tips: Sometimes it is difficult to remove the last layer. So use some adhesive tape!

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Collage- French Cultural Center

This table was commissionned by Kelowna's French Cultural Center. It is displayed in the main hall. I love bold colours! In this example, I used only plain Canson papers.

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Kelowna French school

This table was commissioned by Kelowna French school "l'Anse-aux-sables" to celebrate their 5th anniversary. The table was supplied by the school. I worked with the teachers and students' pictures on a lunar theme. My satisfaction came from seeing the joy on the kids' faces. I applied 40 coats of varnish, so they be able to take their lunch on the table without being scared of destroying the work. Here some samples:

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