Although tablecloths have been used since ancient times, there is not much information about their uses. The Gauls and Romans used linen tablecloths , sometimes colored . The guests brought their own napkins that were placed near their sofas and used to carry the leftovers from their meals.
The importance of meals in the Judeo-Christian tradition contributed significantly to the development of the tablecloth.
It was in the Middle Ages that tablecloths gained importance and were used frequently. They became genuine object of worship, because they were a mark of nobility of lords and shared only with people of the same range. Most of the tablecloths were decorated with embroidery and fringes. At the same time that simple tablecloths appeared, for example in some taverns, people cleaned their hands on a long piece of cloth placed on the edge of the tablecloth.
At this time it was fashionable to fold tablecloths and particularly napkins in the shape of birds, animals and fruits. This tradition lasted more than 200 years. Until the 19th century, tablecloths and napkins were usually made of damask, a material with identical motifs woven on the front and on the back, the name damask comes from the city with the same name in Syria . The damask silk was famous, exported from Persia and then Venice for a long time. It was then that the northern European countries , lacking raw materials, invented linen damask, which was very popular until the beginning of the 19th century. In the 20th centurycolor began to be used on tables. At the beginning the tablecloths were pastel colors, then went on to dark and bright colors. The napkins likewise began to match or contrast with the tablecloths.
Summary
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- 1 History
- 2 First use of tablecloths
- 3 Tablecloths
- 1 Dress the table
- 2 Keys
- 2.1 Some rules of etiquette in table linen
- 3 Renewing the tablecloth
- 4 Diversity of styles
- 4 Styles of Tablecloths
- 1 About Tablecloths
- 5 Curiosities
- 1 Psychoanalysis Meaning of dreaming with Mantel
- 2 How to adjust tablecloths to the table
- 3 How to care for rubber and plastic tablecloths
- 4 How to care for and preserve tablecloths
- 5 How to choose an appropriate tablecloth for each table
- 6 How to choose and make tablecloths, table runners and placemats for the end of the year
- 7 How to remove starch or sizing from a new tablecloth
- 8 How to renew a cloth tablecloth
- 9 How to remove yellowish stains from white tablecloths
- 10 How to take steps to make a tablecloth
- 6 Gallery
- 7 Sources
History
The new Priest, newly assigned to reopen a church in the suburbs of Brooklyn , New York , arrived in early October excited about his first opportunity. When he arrived at the church he found that it was in terrible condition and required a lot of repair work. The goal was set to have everything ready in time for Christmas Eve . He worked hard, repairing the benches, plastering the walls, painting, etc., and by December 18, he had already finished almost all the works, anticipating the goal set. On December 19A terrible storm fell that lashed the area for two full days. On the 21st the priest went to see the church. His heart contracted when he saw that water had seeped through the roof, causing a considerable area of the plaster, about 20 by 8 feet, to have fallen from the front wall of the sanctuary, just behind the pulpit, leaving a gap that started as at head height.
The priest cleaned up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas Eve service, he left for his house. On the way he noticed that a local store was holding a “flea market” type sale, for charitable purposes, and decided to go inside. One of the items was a beautiful bone-colored handmade tablecloth with exquisite appliqué work, beautiful colors, and an embroidered cross in the center. It was just the right size to fill the gap in the damaged wall. He bought it and went back to church. By then it had begun to snow. An older woman was running from the opposite direction trying to reach the bus, but finally lost it. The priest invited her to wait in the church, where there was heating, for the next bus that would take 45 minutes more to arrive. The lady sat on the bench without paying attention to the priest, while he looked for a ladder, hooks, etc., to place the tablecloth as a tapestry on the wall. The priest could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and how it covered the entire problem area.
Then, he looked at the woman who was walking towards where he was. Her face was white as a sheet of paper. “Father, where did you get that tablecloth?” The father explained, The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials EGB were embroidered there Yes, they were … These were the woman’s initials and she had made that tablecloth 35 years ago, in Austria . The woman could hardly believe it when her father told her how she had just obtained the tablecloth. She explained that before the war she and her husband had a comfortable financial position in Austria. When the Nazis arrived, they forced her to leave. Her husband had to follow her the following week, she was captured, sent to prison and never heard from her husband or her home again.
The father took her in the car to her house and offered to give her the tablecloth, but she refused, saying that it was the least she could do after the kindness he had had with her. She was very grateful that she lived on the other side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a house cleaning job. How wonderful was the office of Christmas Eve! The church was almost full. The music and spirit that reigned were incredible. At the end of the service, the priest dismissed everyone at the door and many expressed that they would return. An older man, whom the priest recognized from the neighborhood, was still sitting on one of the benches facing the front, and the father wondered why he was not leaving.
The man asked him where he had gotten that tablecloth that was on the front wall, because it was identical to the one his wife had made years ago in Austria.before the war and how could two tablecloths be so identical? The man related to the father how the Nazis came and how he forced his wife to leave, for her safety, and how he was willing to follow her, but had been arrested and sent to prison. He never saw his wife or home again in all those 35 years. The priest asked if he would allow her to take him for a ride. They drove to Staten Island in the car, stopping at the same house where the father had taken the woman three days earlier. She helped the man up the three floors of the staircase that led to the woman’s apartment. He knocked on the door and witnessed there the most beautiful Christmas gathering he could have imagined.
A true story – offered by Father Rob Reid, who says that God works silently.
“God is the beginning, the development, and the end”
First use of tablecloths
Tablecloths were popularized by Europeans. They originally began to appear on Roman tables in the first century. The first written mention of a tablecloth dates from 103 AD . Back then, the Romans considered their tables too beautiful to be fully covered, so the tablecloths were small, designed for individual use and used as napkins.
By the 10th century, the tablecloth had evolved into the full cover that we know today. By the 14th century it was already customary even for commoners to use the tablecloth. So the tablecloth like almost all inventions had a different origin and purpose than today. At first it was also used as a napkin. And to think that in current times it is considered very rude to clean yourself with the tablecloth.
Table linen
The tablecloth is the main dress of the table. Except for family meals (even these should be avoided), forget about placemats and paper tablecloths. It is highly recommended to use a under-tablecloth or fleece, which serves several important things: preventing the tablecloth from slipping, protecting the table from hot meals, avoiding humidity due to liquid spills, protecting the table from shocks and avoiding noise during service table. The fleece or under-tablecloth should never be greater than the size of the tablecloth, so that it does not protrude. It should also not be very thick, so that it does not have the effect of being under a “mat”.
The tablecloth should completely cover the table, but without hanging to the floor. The general rule is that you should only hang at most a third of the distance from the table to the floor. Of course, it should not be short either, exposing a part of the table or the fleece, or being “flush” with the table, just covering the edge of it. If the tablecloth is openwork, it is mandatory to put a quilt or “bottom” to prevent the table from being seen.
The tablecloth should be combined with most of the elements that make up the table. With dishes, with decorations, etc. The most used and elegant color is white, and soft pastel colors or ivory. On certain occasions, such as Christmas for example, tablecloths can be used with various reasons regarding the date. The napkins must match the tablecloth, or at least go together with it (if they do not belong to the same set). These are placed to the right of the plate, although in various protocol books they are placed to the left as well.
On top of the plate, it should not, although it is also done. It is an essential element in any good table. It will be necessary to have spare napkins to be able to change them throughout the meal (especially if we see that there are some very dirty ones). The most used size is 50 x 60 cm., Although there are many variants. They are folded into a triangle or a rectangle and are left on the plate (or the right as we said earlier). Artistic dubbing is only allowed at family or very informal parties. And nothing to put the napkin in the glass, except on the occasions cited as family or informal.
Dress the table
A tablecloth serves as a complement to the decoration, but adapting to the occasion. In all cases, large napkins are required in conjunction with the tablecloth or in harmonic colors. The tablecloths are perfect to give a note of elegance to the environment. They are also practical, useful and enjoyable. In ancient times these were a sign of good taste among the nobility and were embroidered with gold threads and precious stones. Even today, to achieve a sign of distinction on our tables, it is essential to have a well-finished tablecloth.
If you want to give an elegant look to the dining room table, the white linen or cotton tablecloth is the right one. And to complete, matching napkins. The type of tablecloth and its placement also depend on home decoration. Remember that the tablecloth should not alter, but complement the decoration of the house. Choosing a quality tablecloth is synonymous with good taste; so taking advantage of so many new styles, take your time and select it with care and dedication. Remember that this complement is essential in the decoration of the table and its choice distinguishes the host.
Colors. In some cultures, such as the oriental one, the placement of the tablecloth as well as its color express different feelings: light tones such as cream are associated with relaxation; white is stimulating; green is vitality, blue favors communication and the raspberry color awakens passion, while red and orange promote romance, yellow attracts warmth to a space.
In the market there is a great variety of tablecloths of different styles and colors for every occasion. You can find them for picnic tables or outdoor evenings. If you are one of the people who understand that the tablecloth should be used only on special occasions, such as Christmas Eve, it is time for you to change your mind and use it more often, as these bring personality and exquisiteness to the spaces.
Keys
Some rules of etiquette in table linen
- At the main dining room or dining room table, they should reach just below the knees of the diners.
- The tablecloth should be placed so that the fabric has the same drop on all four sides on the chairs, and also so that any artistic work on the wood of the legs is visible.
- For a cookout, a more casual, patterned cloth tablecloth goes well.
Renewing the tablecloth
If you want to impact your guests with your “new” tablecloths, just let your imagination run wild. Use pearls of different colors or sizes, according to your taste. You can sew them on the tablecloth as you create best. For example, along the hem, leaving a distance of around 10 centimeters between each other; You can also make some motif in the corners; draw a certain pattern, etc. The only thing to keep in mind when applying pearls is to do it on the side edges or corners of the tablecloth, for best results.
Diversity of styles
Tablecloths and decoration. There are tablecloths of various types, so you have to know which is the most appropriate piece for each occasion. The classic white tablecloth can be hand-embroidered linen, which is the finest; Chinese and Spanish tablecloths stand out, although they have the drawback of being difficult to wash and iron, so they are used only on special occasions.
There are also plain colored linen tablecloths; They must be exclusively in pastel shades, and are used on informal, simple occasions. Currently there are also very practical tablecloths, such as polyester, as well as cotton , plain or printed, with stripes, flowers or squares in different colors, which are used in simple meetings.
Tablecloth Styles
For you who are about to get married and are setting up your new home we can tell you that you definitely require different styles of tablecloths:
The one that is more practical and functional for daily and daily use.
The one whose main function is decoration on large occasions. Remember the famous phrase “They were on Long Tablecloths” and that is that there is no table at an event such as anniversary, lunch and dinner with visitors, friends, etc. it does not show excellent tablecloths as a “fundamental part”.
About Tablecloth
Speaking of tablecloths and whites you will find absolutely everything you could want in styles, sizes, colors, designs and textures for each table. Don’t forget… that in some stores you will find “Pier One Imports” which also has its own proposal in Tablecloths and table accessories.
- In tablecloths, there are all kinds.
- Round
- Squares
- Rectangular
- Oval
- You also have to consider within your table linen:
- Napkins
- Individual tablecloth
- Table Runner
- accessories
- Speaking of tablecloths, we suggest various alternatives such as:
- Various classic lines of Organdí and Cintilla
- Tablecloths with plain embroidery for daily use
- Embroidered tablecloth Indú
- European tablecloths
- Napkin Rings
Curiosities
Psychoanalysis Meaning of dreaming with Mantel
- If in dreams we see a beautiful white tablecloth on the table it announces prosperity for the house; But if it is stained, dirty or wrinkled, it is that problems and complications await us that would have been avoided if we had better watched our interests. –
- Beautifully adorned, covering a table: family joy, intimate happiness. Pleasures and relaxation. Gift exchange. –
- Who leaves the table: deceit, dispute, separation. –
- Stained, dirty, broken: misery, misfortune. –
How to adjust tablecloths to the table
“If you are going to do an outdoor event, the wind may play tricks on you. Against this, it is best to make tablecloth bras, so everything will stay on the table.” How to adjust tablecloths to the table
When we set up or prepare the table outdoors, in a barbecue area or in a ventilated place, we usually run with the risk that the wind, or even a slight breeze, raises and inflates the tablecloth and brings all the contents of the table to the ground . To avoid this, we can resort to the practical tablecloth fasteners, which will fix them in place, also keeping them smooth and neat. There are many ways to create tablecloth bras with only a few very inexpensive materials. In fact, these are elements that you may already have at home. The first technique to fit tablecloths to the table is to use elastics. In round tablecloths, you can sew elastic to the entire contour of the fabric. Thus, when placing the tablecloth on the table, the elasticIt will fit underneath, leaving it in place, although without a skirt or piece that falls along the edges.
Another way to use the elastic is as an adjustment piece that joins the ends of two contours of the tablecloth, in the case of a rectangular or square table. In this case, we will join the ends of the “north” and “west” sides, then the “north” and “east” sides, then the “south and east” and finally the “south” and “west” sides ” Thus, the four corners will be firmly in place. Joining the tablecloths on the inside, in addition, will give a more verbose finish to the tablecloth, since the corner of the fabric will hang over the joint, making it more presentable. To make this union, we can simply use large hook pins, which we can buy in bookstores and haberdashery stores, among others. We can also attach two crocodile hooks to a short piece of common elastic, to adjust the tablecloth according to the table on which we place it. Also, of course, we can do the elastic technique but with smaller hook pins, instead of crocodile hooks.
In an emergency, we can use hooks for hanging clothes as tablecloth fasteners. To do this, we put the tablecloth in place and bend down in front of one of the corners. We take the corner of the fabric, raising it, and we join with the other hand the fabric that joins continuing to the corner of the table. It is there that we will place the hook for the clothes, fixing the tablecloth in place and then leaving it hidden by the corner of the tablecloth, which will fall on top. In tablecloths that have a place (a table) of habitual use, we can sew two pieces of velcro (thistle), so that the tablecloth can be released, washed, and adjusted when we have it on the table, or you can let loose on windless days.
How to care for rubber and plastic tablecloths
” Plastic or rubber tablecloths are a very good option in the kitchen, especially for everyday use when young children are at home.”
Here we present two simple tricks so that you can extend the life of your tablecloth more and keep it in the same conditions in which you bought it.
- To prevent the tablecloths from cracking with the use and external agents to which the tablecloths are exposed, you only have to apply a very thin layer of hand cream every 30 days.
- To maintain the brightness with which we acquired it for a longer time, it will not be enough to pass the cloth or grid moistened with water. Every now and then, we have to rub them with a cloth soaked in vinegar.
How to care for and preserve tablecloths
“Tips and tricks to make your tablecloths last longer and in better conditions.” How to care for and preserve tablecloths
Tablecloths are unique pieces. They manage to dress a table with their presence alone, they are elegant or fun, and they are the first thing that marks the theme of a dinner. Their maintenance, contrary to what many think, is quite simple: you just have to try to give them the proper cleaning and storage, to always keep them in optimal conditions. In How To Do We have read many interesting notes regarding the specific cleaning of stubborn stains, which we can apply to our tablecloths. Whether it is oil or grease stains, wine stains, or almost any type, we can follow the tips learned on the portal to give them the ideal cleaning.
When drying the washed tablecloths, it is best to do it on the rope or clothesline, gripped by one of its sides (so as not to mark them in the center and prevent them from touching the floor), well stretched, and preferably wet, so that the weight of the water itself stretch them out and make ironing easy. If your tablecloth is very colorful and cheerful, try to lay it out in the shade, or at least sheltered from the midday sun. If you see that the strongest sunlight will inevitably hit you, tend them so that the reverse is the one that is at the mercy of this light.
When ironing, use the ideal temperature for each material. Remember that if the tablecloth has polyester in high concentration, it will not even be necessary to iron it, and to do so you should use a warm iron and an intermediate cloth. Always iron stretched tablecloths, by sectors, so as not to mark the folds: a tablecloth with folds does not look quite right when placed on a bright table, and may end up turning off the elegant look of your tableware. To store them, it would be best to roll them up and place them in tubes. In the dairies they can give you the tubes that are used to contain the fabrics. Also in glass tinted houses you can get the plastic tubes that contain the sheets. These cardboard tubes or plastic (or PVC) are ideal, since they prevent the tablecloth from wrinkling from the weight of the other tablecloths.
To prevent the attack of moths, do not use naphthalene: its smell will penetrate the fabric, and it can bring you serious problems when serving the table. Better, make gauze sachets and place some lavender flowers inside. This flower, in addition to giving your tablecloth a good aroma, will protect it against moths, larvae and other pests.
How to choose an appropriate tablecloth for each table
“A tablecloth must always be adapted to the decoration and use of the table in question. Here we give you a brief guide to know which one to choose.”
How to choose an appropriate tablecloth for each table
Tablecloths are perfect to give a touch of color to the environment. In addition, the use of the tablecloth is very practical and pleasant. In ancient times they were a sign of distinction between the nobility and were embroidered with gold threads and precious stones. With these simple tips, when it comes time to dress up a table with an elegant or warm tablecloth, it will be very easy and fun.
- Elegant: To dress the dining room table elegantly, the white linen or cotton tablecloth is the one. And to complete, matching napkins. When it is placed, care must be taken that the drop is the same on all four sides.
- Simple: If the idea is a meal outdoors, in a club, river, etc., the printed fabric will give us the simplicity and warmth we need.
- Cheerful: For garden furniture the ideal is a loose tablecloth and very cheerful napkins with bright colors. It will be a cozy and fresh table.
- . Exclusives: The grid and smooth napkins combined with the tablecloth is a perfect casual and cheerful option. Lightweight cotton fits very well in most dining rooms and kitchens.
- Double tablecloth: In the event that we want to dress a table with overlapping tablecloths, it must be borne in mind that the fabric below must have body and movement, while the top one a beautiful finish would finish composing this table.
- Practical: The most used place by everyone in any home is the kitchen, therefore, the tablecloth in this environment must be resistant and practical. Laminates are the simplest and quickest to clean and come in various colors and patterns that we can combine with the rest of the furniture.
- Decorative: It is the tablecloth that is placed on a table that is not used regularly and contributes to the rest of the decoration. The choice of it will depend on the setting of the place.
- Placemats: These tablecloths are an easy solution. The materials with which they are made are very varied. Those made of linen or cotton and with fine finishes are ideal for a formal table. They are also perfect for singles.
- Plastic or paper: These tablecloths are recommended to be used for children’s parties, since children often leave the tables in poor conditions for any other type of tablecloth. In addition, it gives us the possibility to end the party, pick it up and throw it away.
- : A different option is to use an individual tablecloth but one that covers the table from both sides. It will give an idea of togetherness and warmth at the same time.
- As a general rule,the tablecloths should have a drop of about 19 to 22 cm, preventing them from resting on any diners.
How to choose and make tablecloths, table runners and placemats for the end of the year
“There are many techniques and ideas to dress our tables for Christmas or New Year. We will tell you some.”
How to choose and make tablecloths, table runners and placemats for the end of the year
The table linen is the base for an elegant, fun, exciting and special Christmas or New Year’s table. Therefore, choosing the most suitable tablecloth is a task to be accomplished, and in this note we will learn to create and choose tablecloths and table runners, for every occasion.
Tableware rental services probably offer you to get plain white tablecloths or a special color. If you can, choose a plain white tablecloth, very nice, since you can place on it a tablecloth (tablecloth cover) or a table runner that matches the theme you have chosen for the event. Of course, you don’t need to rent, you could well use your own plain tablecloth to create a striking decoration. When it comes to table runners, there are many techniques that we can carry out to create them. We can simply place a long rectangle of a fabric with the color or motif of choice, or we can use several strips of fabric that we will have across the table, marking the places for diners who feel confronted. Also, with a little technique and the appropriate materials,
The tablecloths, in turn, can be themed with great simplicity. We can use the sewing machine to make designs with festoons and decorative embroidery. We can also glue a hardened fabric design with straight dots, then highlighting its contours with three-dimensional gold paint, or the appropriate color. Sure, you could also paint messages, flowers, stars, or whatever you want (like simple figures with three-dimensional paint with an applicator) on a simple tablecloth, to make it truly original and eye-catching.
The singles are a great way to mark the spaces of the diners, at the same time that you can give color and designs to the table. You can make them with fabric (sewn, embroidered, painted, with fraying with appliqués), or with acetate plates, or even with other materials, such as cork plates, sisal thread, or whatever best suits the chosen theme. A very nice technique is to cut cardboard strips not more than one centimeter wide, and roll them into small circles, which you can then glue together, creating a special and highly decorative individual. This individual can be painted in the chosen color, decorated, and allows you to support hot plates and trays, protecting the table.
How to remove starch or sizing from a new tablecloth
“Buying a new tablecloth gives us the opportunity to renew part of the kitchen and entertain our family with a” new “table.”
How to remove starch or sizing from a new tablecloth
Tablecloths generally come with too much sizing and are uncomfortable and even rough. For this reason, we advise you to put it to soak in warm water with a tablespoon of salt and a little dishwashing detergent before opening it. Then wash and rinse as you normally do. When you iron it, you will notice that it has lost its original stiffness.
How to renew a cloth tablecloth
“Fine cloth tablecloths help dress our tables on special occasions. But sometimes using the same tablecloth can make us” boring. ” How to renew a cloth tablecloth
If you want to impact your guests with your “new” tablecloths, you just have to let your imagination work. Get in business of the bouquet, pearls of different colors or sizes, according to your taste.
Then, you should sew it on the tablecloth as you think best. For example, along the hem, leaving a distance of about 10 centimeters from each other; You can also make a motif in the corners; draw a certain pattern, etc. The only thing to keep in mind when applying the pearls is to do it on the side edges or corners of the tablecloth, if you sew them on the surface where plates, glasses and bottles are generally supported, instead of giving a new image to the table it will only be uncomfortable.
How to get yellowish stains out of white tablecloths
“We all have a white tablecloth at home that dresses up our table for special occasions, birthdays, dinners, parties, etc.”
How to get yellowish stains out of white tablecloths
The problem is that sometimes, having it stored for a long time, when we take it out to use it, we find that yellow spots have appeared that completely ruin it. Here are some solutions to make those pesky yellow spots disappear from your precious tablecloth.
- Soak the tablecloth in a mixture of two tablespoons of perborate for every half liter of water for a few hours.
- You can also soak it in water with a splash of bleach, about two hours.
- Something our grandmothers did was soak the yellowish spots with milk and lay in the sun to dry.
In any case, after soaking it or letting the milk dry in the sun, you should proceed to wash the tablecloth as you normally did and rinse very well.
How to take the steps to make a tablecloth
“Nothing better to dress up our table, either formally or informally, than a good tablecloth.”
How to take the steps to make a tablecloth
To make our tablecloth ourselves we only have to take some precautions when taking the measurements. The positive thing about making our own tablecloth is that we will be able to choose the material, size, motifs and finish of it as we imagine it, and not bend to the common that we can find in the different businesses in the industry.
1 Square or rectangular table In this case, we must form a square with the measurements of the sides of it and add the number of centimeters that we want the tablecloth to hang. We cut the fabric, make a small hem and then we can decorate as we like: we will place a flight of another color, fringes, guards, fabric appliques on the tablecloth, embroider or paint a motif, etc.
2 Round table To make a tablecloth for a round table, we must take the diameter of it and add what we want it to hang. We fold the fabric in half and cut the tablecloth as if it were a semicircle, then we open it, we make the hem and we decorate as we like.
