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#1
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Table Linens
Looking at needlework patterns online and off, I've seen several table
linens with beautiful designs that start me thinking of making some. But I have a few questions. Is there some way to treat a cross stitched tablecloth to keep it safe from bad food stains? Some cross stitching would probably hold up okay to laundering, but it seems some more delicate stitches wouldn't wash so easily. Could you Scotch Guard the fabric or something? I'm feeling really out of it today, so I'm not sure I'm even asking the question correctly. There's another question I have about terminology. In my experience, table cloths completely cover the table, and table runners just go down the middle of the table. But I'm not sure what a table topper is. Does it just fit in the middle of the table or does it drape over the sides at all? -- Suze Cat hair? That's just an embellishment. |
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#2
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Is there some way to treat a cross
stitched tablecloth to keep it safe from bad food stains? Some cross stitching would probably hold up okay to laundering, but it seems some more delicate stitches wouldn't wash so easily. Oh, c'mon, Suze. Haven't you ever read any of my posts on this subject??? O.K., I'll repeat it all. I got lots of hand embroidered linen tablecloths and placemats for wedding presents. In the society in which I grew up, this was considered a major gift of love. At first, I saved them for Sundays and holidays, but then, around fifteen years ago, I decided to use "the good stuff", including the sterling, for everyday. Very few of mine are cross stitch, they are other forms of surface embroidery and some of them are cutwork. They are all used in rotation, and, depending on how sloppy DH and I have been with the red wine, gravy, sauces etc., there are generally two or three in the laundry every week. I just toss them in with the light colors - all except for the cutwork., which if I remember I put in a lingerie bag to protect it. They go once through the wash, then I check them to see if all stains are gone before I iron them. If still stained, a little bleach generally takes care of it. They don't go in the dryer, because linen has to be ironed so wet anyhow. I haven't had to discard anyof them yet, but if I do I will figure that we have loved and enjoyed it, and it has reached the end of its natural life. After all, I know darn well that neither my DD nor my DIL will ever bother to iron them, so rather than keep them sitting in a drawer they are out where DH and I can use them, enjoy and appreciate them. If they die with us, so be it, these things were made for use as well as ornament. Olwyn Mary in New Orleans |
#3
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Good for you Olwyn.
I also have hand embroidered table linen which I use very frequently. I'm married 39 years and now you can almost see through the linens but they have been well loved and used and I'm happy if they die with me. I have embroidered tablecloths and napkins for my daughter and daughters in law and they all use theirs. I well remember the bath mats and towels that my mother kept for visitors. When she died they had gone yellow with age but were hardly used - I swore I wouldn't do that. The silver she used only on Holidays I use every week. This way my grandchildren get to see how a table should be laid Carol-Ann 10 miles NW of London England |
#4
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*claps* I wish my grandmother had been the sort of person to show me how a
table should be set for 'high-dining'. I've never seen the silver that she has, and will likely not see it until we have to sort out her estate when she passes on. I'm sad that it is too late for her to show me how my great-grandmother taught her how to lay the table...she's been out-of-it since a stroke last year. There's a lot that I wish I'd been taught... Becky A. "CASin43" skrev i melding ... Good for you Olwyn. I also have hand embroidered table linen which I use very frequently. I'm married 39 years and now you can almost see through the linens but they have been well loved and used and I'm happy if they die with me. I have embroidered tablecloths and napkins for my daughter and daughters in law and they all use theirs. I well remember the bath mats and towels that my mother kept for visitors. When she died they had gone yellow with age but were hardly used - I swore I wouldn't do that. The silver she used only on Holidays I use every week. This way my grandchildren get to see how a table should be laid Carol-Ann 10 miles NW of London England |
#5
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I use a linen cloth that my Dh and I embroidered nearly 50 years ago.
When we first got married Dh was in the Royal Navy. He went out to Malta and I went with him. He used to take the cloth to sea with him doing all the easier bits whilst he was away. Since he did not have much storage room it was an ideal project. I used to do the satin stitch when he was with me. Eight weeks today it will be our Golden Wedding Anniversary and yes we are going to Malta to celebrate it. I still use some of the Malta weave cloths we got out in Malta. Sadly it is no longer produced. When we went 6 years ago we got some of the very last ones that had been made. Shirley In message , CASin43 writes Good for you Olwyn. I also have hand embroidered table linen which I use very frequently. I'm married 39 years and now you can almost see through the linens but they have been well loved and used and I'm happy if they die with me. I have embroidered tablecloths and napkins for my daughter and daughters in law and they all use theirs. I well remember the bath mats and towels that my mother kept for visitors. When she died they had gone yellow with age but were hardly used - I swore I wouldn't do that. The silver she used only on Holidays I use every week. This way my grandchildren get to see how a table should be laid Carol-Ann 10 miles NW of London England -- Shirley Shone |
#6
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"Shirley Shone" wrote in message ... I use a linen cloth that my Dh and I embroidered nearly 50 years ago. When we first got married Dh was in the Royal Navy. He went out to Malta and I went with him. He used to take the cloth to sea with him doing all the easier bits whilst he was away. Since he did not have much storage room it was an ideal project. I used to do the satin stitch when he was with me. Eight weeks today it will be our Golden Wedding Anniversary and yes we are going to Malta to celebrate it. I still use some of the Malta weave cloths we got out in Malta. Sadly it is no longer produced. When we went 6 years ago we got some of the very last ones that had been made. Shirley What a great story. Congratulaions for the up-coming anniversary. It is well known that navy guys did "female" crafts to keep busy. I remember w had a friend aboard one of the earliest polaris subs ( out of Groton IIRC), and he knitted the most beautiful twin-sets! fine wool, none of this worsted stuff! gillian |
#7
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Bless you, Olwynmary, for beating me to the punch. I second all your
sentiments. Stop treating embroidery as if it will disintigrate with the first puff of air. I'm wondering what "delicate" stitches Suzanne is thinking of? I'm also thinking that "table topper" could be anything from large centerpiece to something that just hangs slightly over the side or just touches the sides, but I'm not certain. It's obviously not something that fits as a normal table cloth. There are so many "designer" things being done these days. Dianne Olwynmary wrote: Is there some way to treat a cross stitched tablecloth to keep it safe from bad food stains? Some cross stitching would probably hold up okay to laundering, but it seems some more delicate stitches wouldn't wash so easily. Oh, c'mon, Suze. Haven't you ever read any of my posts on this subject??? O.K., I'll repeat it all. I got lots of hand embroidered linen tablecloths and placemats for wedding presents. In the society in which I grew up, this was considered a major gift of love. At first, I saved them for Sundays and holidays, but then, around fifteen years ago, I decided to use "the good stuff", including the sterling, for everyday. Very few of mine are cross stitch, they are other forms of surface embroidery and some of them are cutwork. They are all used in rotation, and, depending on how sloppy DH and I have been with the red wine, gravy, sauces etc., there are generally two or three in the laundry every week. I just toss them in with the light colors - all except for the cutwork., which if I remember I put in a lingerie bag to protect it. They go once through the wash, then I check them to see if all stains are gone before I iron them. If still stained, a little bleach generally takes care of it. They don't go in the dryer, because linen has to be ironed so wet anyhow. I haven't had to discard anyof them yet, but if I do I will figure that we have loved and enjoyed it, and it has reached the end of its natural life. After all, I know darn well that neither my DD nor my DIL will ever bother to iron them, so rather than keep them sitting in a drawer they are out where DH and I can use them, enjoy and appreciate them. If they die with us, so be it, these things were made for use as well as ornament. Olwyn Mary in New Orleans |
#8
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Becky, there are books on "etiquette" out there (Judith Martin of Miss
Manners fame has at least one) that will show you how. I do it, occasionally, just because. You can go as "high" as you wish. There is everything from very formal (servants) to informal - all with class and a little pizzazz. Dianne *claps* I wish my grandmother had been the sort of person to show me how a table should be set for 'high-dining'. I've never seen the silver that she has, and will likely not see it until we have to sort out her estate when she passes on. I'm sad that it is too late for her to show me how my great-grandmother taught her how to lay the table...she's been out-of-it since a stroke last year. There's a lot that I wish I'd been taught... Becky A. "CASin43" skrev i melding ... Good for you Olwyn. I also have hand embroidered table linen which I use very frequently. I'm married 39 years and now you can almost see through the linens but they have been well loved and used and I'm happy if they die with me. I have embroidered tablecloths and napkins for my daughter and daughters in law and they all use theirs. I well remember the bath mats and towels that my mother kept for visitors. When she died they had gone yellow with age but were hardly used - I swore I wouldn't do that. The silver she used only on Holidays I use every week. This way my grandchildren get to see how a table should be laid Carol-Ann 10 miles NW of London England |
#9
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I think a table topper is a square that is meant to go over one of those
little 18" round (or about that size) decorative tables that are covered with a 70" cloth and then the table topper is put over that. I've seen them used as end tables, or night stands. They were very popular a few years back but I haven't seen them for a while. But I suppose they are still being used because I have recently seen glass tops that are meant for them. Lucille "Dianne Lewandowski" wrote in message ... Bless you, Olwynmary, for beating me to the punch. I second all your sentiments. Stop treating embroidery as if it will disintigrate with the first puff of air. I'm wondering what "delicate" stitches Suzanne is thinking of? I'm also thinking that "table topper" could be anything from large centerpiece to something that just hangs slightly over the side or just touches the sides, but I'm not certain. It's obviously not something that fits as a normal table cloth. There are so many "designer" things being done these days. Dianne Olwynmary wrote: Is there some way to treat a cross stitched tablecloth to keep it safe from bad food stains? Some cross stitching would probably hold up okay to laundering, but it seems some more delicate stitches wouldn't wash so easily. Oh, c'mon, Suze. Haven't you ever read any of my posts on this subject??? O.K., I'll repeat it all. I got lots of hand embroidered linen tablecloths and placemats for wedding presents. In the society in which I grew up, this was considered a major gift of love. At first, I saved them for Sundays and holidays, but then, around fifteen years ago, I decided to use "the good stuff", including the sterling, for everyday. Very few of mine are cross stitch, they are other forms of surface embroidery and some of them are cutwork. They are all used in rotation, and, depending on how sloppy DH and I have been with the red wine, gravy, sauces etc., there are generally two or three in the laundry every week. I just toss them in with the light colors - all except for the cutwork., which if I remember I put in a lingerie bag to protect it. They go once through the wash, then I check them to see if all stains are gone before I iron them. If still stained, a little bleach generally takes care of it. They don't go in the dryer, because linen has to be ironed so wet anyhow. I haven't had to discard anyof them yet, but if I do I will figure that we have loved and enjoyed it, and it has reached the end of its natural life. After all, I know darn well that neither my DD nor my DIL will ever bother to iron them, so rather than keep them sitting in a drawer they are out where DH and I can use them, enjoy and appreciate them. If they die with us, so be it, these things were made for use as well as ornament. Olwyn Mary in New Orleans |
#10
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For many years I lived with my grandmother. She was a stickler for setting the
table properly, etc. LOL - as she aged she wasn't able to set the table for our formal family dinners - much less our elaborate holiday dinners. This all became my job so I learned from the gound up. As much as the tables she and I set were beautiful, cleanup was a complete pain in the @ss! I am sad to see so many young people who are clueless about how to set a formal table. None of her children or other grandchildren had much interest in this fancy stuff and the grandchildren have no idea how to set a formal children. When my GM died we split up the household, etc. I took the fancy linens no one else in the family knew how to take care of them. It's a waste for me to have them as I'm single and live in a house that's too small to entertain in but I do enjoy using them on a rare occassion. If you have pretty things - heirloom or just things you've picked up along the way, you should use and enjoy them. If they get broken, don't feel badly as you got to enjoy using them. I've lost more things thanks to my busy cats than from any human error. The other day I had a hen party for a few of my stitching friends. I had such fun setting my pretty things things out on the table. We all enjoyed using them and had fun talking about where each piece came from. Anne |
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