You might think you know how to fold clothes and household cloth items, but this book is worth perusing just to see if there might be a simpler or more efficient method than the one you’ve been using through your own trial-and-error efforts, or that taught to you by your mother, aunt or grandmother. Sometimes, there’s an easier way.

The Folding Book, by professional organiser, interior decorator and entrepreneur, Janelle Cohen, is an illustrated guide to efficiently folding whatever might need folding. There are clear and explicit, step-by-step instructions for folding many similar items, so by necessity there is quite a lot of repetition, but the reader can click on, or page to, the particular item of interest from the table of contents for a full description on how to fold that item.

It is very well organised, divided into colour-coded sections for Basic, Feminine, Masculine, Baby, Kid, Linens and Travel. In Cohen’s introduction she explains how using her technique to “file” items in drawers allows for easier finding and managing specific items of clothing.

In the sections for Baby and Linens, Cohen shows the most basic of folding, so that even a novice who has never folded a tea towel, a pillowslip, a wash cloth or a sheet may be instructed. She does make hard work of the fitted sheet, giving a far more complicated method than is necessary. But order can even be brought to a drawerful of G-string undies (thongs), should this be desired. While the title claim: Over 100 Folds That Will Change Your Life is clearly an exaggeration, this is still a handy volume for those who need it.
This unbiased review is from a temporary digital ARC provided by NetGalley and Quarto Publishing – Rock Point.