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Halloween and Thanksgiving celebrations are far behind us, and Christmas and New Year's celebrations are nipping at our heels. With all the celebrations in the winter, I started to think about table settings. We have so many options on how to decorate our tables. From the simplest of settings to a very elaborate affair, we can use linens to dress up our tables.
HISTORY OF LINEN
Linen is one of the oldest fabrics known to mankind. Linen was the material used to encase the mummies before they were buried in Egypt. Linen is described in the Bible, and was worn by ancient Greeks and Romans.
Flax fibers are used to make linen. Flax plants are harvested in the summer, then their stalks are bundled, dried, then combed out and the seeds are removed. Next comes the retting process. During the retting process, the stalks are wetted and kept hydrated for several weeks. When the stalks break down during this time, the usable fibers are then culled. The last step is a machine used to refine the removal of the leftover woody pieces from the retting process.
The refined flax fibers are combed out and are used to produce "line" and "tow". "Line" fibers are used to make linen tablecloths, napkins, placemats, and clothing. "Tow" fibers are used to make linen towels. Table linen is sold in white and its natural cream color.
PATTERNS & WEAVES
Linen that is fashioned into tablecloths has a damask weave. Most people refer to linen tablecloths as damask prints but that is a misleading way to describe a linen tablecloth. This type of weaving was perfected in Damascus and became the way to describe this weaving style, and wool.
Damask is a type of weaving that can be applied to linen as well as silk, cotton. A pattern is formed by the weaving of the fibers and gives the fabric a three-dimensional look on a two dimensional surface. The damask pattern is woven into the frontside of the fabric and has a shiny lustrous finish. The backside of the damask cloth looks dull and two-dimensional.
Damask weaves come in two weights, a single damask weave and a double damask weave. A double damask weave tablecloth is going to have a higher value because of the work involved making this quality design. However the damask weave isn't the only factor that determines the value of a linen tablecloth. Patterns in a linen damask tablecloth are just as important when looking to buy or value a linen tablecloth. A simple rule of thumb is, the more complicated the pattern, the more valuable the tablecloth is.
What kinds of patterns are associated with linen tablecloths? The most basic pattern is the satin band or a double satin band. This is an elegant wide band that acts as an accent and frames the edges of the piece.
More complex damask weaves for table linens include Chrysanthemums, Colmcille and Shamrocks. The Chrysanthemum design communicates a sense of regal elegance. It certainly is not a design for someone that is looking for something that is a muted statement. The same could be said about the Colmcille design, which has the flavor of a Regency style or a Rococo flourish. The Shamrock design is no wallflower either. Think sophisticated and fun when you think of a Shamrock damask tablecloth.
SHOPPING FOR LINEN
Countries that are renown for their spectacular linen creations are Ireland, France, and Belgium. They have perfected the craft of weaving linen into the most sophisticated tableware, home accessories and bedding.
Thanks to the World Wide Web, anyone can have the pleasure of going to two of the finest Irish Linen shops with the click of a mouse. Fergusons Irish Linen http://www.fergusonsirishlinen.com, established in 1854, has an excellent Web site where you can shop for fine linen online, take a tour of their factory and learn more about linen.
The Ulster Linen Co. Inc. of New York http://www.pagelinx.com/ulsterlinen/index.htm, established in 1851, also has a wonderful Web site. There you can find a fabulous collection of vintage style handkerchiefs, tea cozies, dish towels, tea towels and other household linens. Unfortunately, individual buyers can not purchase their linens on the site. However, if you see something you like on the site, you can email them to receive a list of vendors that sell their linens.
COLLECTING LINEN
The overall condition of the item, the complexity of the design, and the item's age determine the value of Irish Linen tablecloths. Condition is key here. Not only do you want to look for stain-free tablecloths, but you also want to find ones that have the foil seal from the manufacturer on the linen itself. Original boxes are as important here as they are with any antique or collectible.
The more ornately designed tablecloth tends to come from the later period and often is a substantial-sized cloth. This is because the Victorians loved to entertain and did so on a grand scale. Think big generous portions when you are trying to determine date and value on your next venture to your favorite antique haunt.
My most recent scan of TIAS.com and eBay in search of Antique Irish linen was quite fruitful. TIAS.com had more selection and better quality and quantity of Irish table linen. I found an amazing and grand Victorian Irish Linen set for $675, and a basic satin banded tablecloth for $75.
My search on eBay was a little less expensive, but the quality and variety of tablecloth choices were not as good as on TIAS.com. Prices on eBay ranged from $400 for a large and lovely tablecloth to $50 for the "less is more" variety.
TAKING CARE OF LINEN
Linen care is something that scares most people off from owning one of these beauties, but it really shouldn't. Stain removal on a linen tablecloth isn't as frightening as one might imagine. Here are some tips from the master hostess herself, Martha Stewart on how to clean and care for linen:
"Ideally, if you can get to a spill as soon as it happens, soak it with ice-cold water. In many cases, however, wine is spilled during a meal, and you don't want to further embarrass your guest by whisking the cloth away to the laundry room. In this situation, your best bet is to quickly slide a small towel beneath the spill, dab the spot with a cold, wet cloth, and then sprinkle table salt over the stain. Rub it in a bit with your fingers, then cover the spot with another napkin and go on with your meal."
Martha also suggests that you avoid using colored candles, because the drippings of hot, colored wax can leave indelible stains. (You should never remove wax from linens until the wax is completely hardened.) For complete advice from Martha on cleaning linen, visit http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml;jsessionid=Y20B5W2CEHRTTWCKUUWSJ0WYJKSS2JO0?type=content&id=tvs2479&prevLink=true.
So, take out the fine linen from the closet, and usher in your best holiday memories this year.
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