1. Use a square cloth napkin, preferably one with straight, hemmed edges. Open it completely (you may want to iron it before folding to smooth creases and add stiffness so the fan holds its shape better).

2. Fold the napkin in half. Turn it so the long open end is to your right, with the folded edge to your left.

3. Starting from the bottom, fold the narrow, open end accordion-style, ending with the folds on top and leaving two to three inches of unfolded cloth to serve as a support stand (folds should be about an inch wide).

4. Fold in half, keeping the side with the accordion folds facing out.

5. Grasping the unfolded corners where they meet on the open end of the napkin, fold them diagonally and tuck them into the accordion folds.

6. Stand the napkin on the bottom fold and gently release the top, allowing the napkin to fall open into a fan. Put it in front of a place setting or on top of a dinner plate.