Thank you for watching! Be sure to check out this month's Mega Motivation playlist ➡️ cli.re/Kitchen-Collaboration The theme is kitchen decor and organization. I hope this gives you endless inspiration this month. I would love to know... do you use tablecloths in your home? ~ Jennifer
Yes, I use tablecloths for my kitchen table and my dining room table. I have a nice collection and especially enjoy the holiday ones. I use placemats with my tablecloths as well as table runners. Thanks for the video!
I've started recently not using tablecloths anymore and I do like the minimalistic look. We have a tiny table for two in the kitchen, a dark-wood farmers table my husband and I were fortunate to find in a thrift/antique store in Southern France and, last not least, a handmade wrought iron with a glass top living room table that a colleague of my husband did not want anymore. The reason why I so adamantly continued with tablecloths is my mom, who passed away 2006. (I am 58 years old). My mom was from a generation that often still believed in a dowry before getting married. She had many selfmade tablecloths, incredible quality, well kept through the years. She also had bought tablecloths, all through the 1950's to 1990's. So then they became precious to me. I still use them and some of my own ones when we have guests . Like a small birthday gathering with 8 family members last Saturday, a first since a long time. And the dining room table with coffee and cake and a tablecloth looked beautiful. Tradition at it's finest 💖
A trick I learned is to leave the tablecloth on the table until I have pretreated it for stains. They are much easier to see on the table than when holding the tablecloth up in the laundry room. That way, I rarely miss a stain.
When my children were small, we had an old school map of the United States on our table. It covered the entire table. We covered it with a thick plastic table cloth. Our children learned so much about our country because they spent so much time looking at that map! I simply covered it with pretty cloth ones when we had people over or wanted to make dinner extra special.
I like that! Years ago we had a small travel/camping trailer with a dinette. The table had a map of the U.S. imprinted on it that was colorful and I liked it so much. Hope my girls learned some geography from it too. By the way, I like tablecloths, especially vintage ones. Our wooden kitchen table top needs refinishing so I usually have one on it. I also use placemats on my tablecloths, especially when we have gravies, bbq sauces, things that can be messy.
Years ago at an antiques store, I saw all their tablecloths on hangers. That's how I store all mine now, in the guest room closet. (Next to the kitchen) It greatly reduces wrinkles and fold lines.
I was given several embroidered tablecloths of various sizes and matching napkins for my first holy communion and for years I considered them too traditional and old fashioned and I stored them away. Decades later I realised how ridiculous it was not to use them! These vintage tablecloths are now used with love and often get compliments from our dinner guests. Thank you Jennifer for encouraging the art of a beautifully dressed table!! 💐☺️
Same here! My aunt gave me these beautiful hand embroidered tablecloths with matching napkins that she'd bought in Italy, and for several years I kept them stored away, until I finally realized I was wasting their beauty. Now I use them fairly often, and they always get compliments. They are quite a bit of work to iron, no matter how I launder them, but it's worth it.
Since I know you won't police me, I will share my favorite things in tablescapes. I had a piece of glass cut for our kitchen table. I change the cloth seasonally or as needed. The cloths stay cleaner longer with glass top. For a special look I sometimes use vintage quilts under the glass. As for napkins, I make my own using fun flannel prints. I make them the exact size of two pieces of bread laid out side by side! The flannel is absorbent to contain small spills as a bonus. Every evening my husband sets the table, and he always gives me a napkin with hearts on it.
To protect our wooden tables in France, instead of plastic, under the fabric tablecloth we often lay a water-resistant wax tablecloth (toile ciree in French). Or even better, a special cover called Bulgomme (in French)which is water/stain-resistant too, thicker, softer (it also protects the china from shock, and prevents the noise of things put on the table), and it lasts forever! It's better and nicer than plastic to protect a table under the fabric tablecloth.
Jennifer, you are making the internet classier, once video at a time. I started using table napkins. as a budgetary measure and to reduce carbon emissions into the environment but began using table cloths because of you. It really does make the table beautiful. One tip I learned from working in catering, years ago: if you spray water on the creases and smooth them out, it will eliminate the creases.
I love tablecloths. I love to layer with runners. I think the art of the table is another aspect of slowing down and enjoying the small pleasures of life.
I homeschooled my 7 children and used table clothes to protect our table. The clear plastic went over the tablecloth that way I didn’t have to wash the fabric tablecloth every day. I’d get the clear vinyl from Joannes cut to size. They sell them on large rolls and you can get the thickness of the vinyl that suits you. Every four months or so I’d buy a fresh piece of vinyl to freshen up the table because the children would get cuts and ink on them after awhile, of course😉I’d just wipe the vinyl with a cloth after meals. About once a week I’d change the tablecloth for fun. You can find brand new ones at the thrift store! After 25 years of finding them at these stores I have a great variety to suit every season, holiday and mood! They can lift my spirit just putting on a fresh one!
Living in a very tiny home (approximately 315 sq feet), I use a teak "tv" table for my meals. I use tea towels as tablecloths. Seasonal tea towels make meals fun and pretty, and pretty.
Thank you for sharing this idea. We are empty nesters and my hubby prefers to dine in front of the TV, on a TV tray. Tea towels would help me elevate the experience. Fun!
I use to use table clothes, but I got away from the habit as I do not get company.But watching you I think I will begin again even if its just me. Thank you.
You're reason enough to set a nice table, even without having company. So if it lifts your spirits up a little go ahead and do it just for you. Anything to create a little bit of happiness in life, especially during these days of COVID.
I appreciate this video. Your tip to have a special table cloth for guests is great. When I heard that, all of the pent up stress from my child-stained table cloths disappeared! Like most of housekeeping, these things seem like common sense, but if one has never been shown or told, they may be oblivious. Being a good homemaker doesn't come easily to me, so I find your willingness to share your life to be a blessing.
I love the layered look, too and love placemats on my tablecloths. Recently, my granddaughter needed a linen tablecloth, so I gave her one of mine. So nice to see the younger generation appreciating nice tablescapes. 💕🌺👏🏻
Definitely an advocate of tablecloths, table runners, placemats and cloth napkins. I have basic, neutral colors for every day and colorful, seasonal ones. I also have the plastic cover for when grandchildren are here. I do use seagrass mats on my tablecloth for everyday. My grandchildren even like for me to use my China, crystal and my mother's silver. It makes them feel special. Ladies and gentlemen, please don't 'save' these things. Experience them! Thank you for making this your focus for your "Mega Motivation". 🙂❤
I have not read most of the comments yet, but when I was homeschooling I would place a world map underneath the plastic tablecloth to encourage learning and discussion at mealtimes. I like that you cover up the plastic with fabric at dinnertime!
I’m with you. I even layer tablecloths. That way I can use smaller vintage cloths on today’s larger tables. There are some beautiful vintage designs to be had affordably.
Great video Jennifer! We also used tablecloths, placemats, and cloth napkins daily (4 kids) and have since ours were small, and do things pretty much the same way. I find it keeps everything nicer, and I am already doing laundry. Plus, like you, I love the decor aspect! Funny story - when my husband and I first married, he already had two young sons. The first time we dined at home together, I put out cloth napkins (I grew up using them.) The 5 year old said "Oh look, fake napkins!" (He'd only ever seen paper.). I kindly informed him that these were REAL napkins, and the paper one were the fakes. :)
Such a funny story. I love it! My new son-in-law is French (both parents) and his mother's side is Parisian. You would think he would be completely at home with my use of only cloth napkins but no. No matter how many weekends they come for and all the sit down meals we eat every time, his napkin stays folded where I put it when I set the table - black napkin even. He's waiting for me to bring out the 'real' paper ones. 😂
As grandparents, we have 10 grands. I use a clear plastic cover on our good table and then a tablecloth. After washing and drying them, I fold them long ways and hang in our guest closet next to our kitchen. My niece gave me a table cloth that had red stains on it. Winner, winner, I got the stain out and love this table cloth.
When my children were young it was their job to set the table and fold the napkins.their favorite way for napkins was to make an envelope and all the utensils were together.🤩
I use a plastic cover under the tablecloth, and prefer placemats with the cloth as well! ☺️ When we staged our home to sell a couple of years ago, I bought most of these items to make it look nice, and realized I should be doing it on the regular for the sake for OUR family, not just a potential buyer! Your videos have provided the extra motivation I’ve needed recently to continue making my home beautiful and functional everyday.
I grew up with a mother who used cloth tablecloths and cloth napkins. I've continued the tradition for the past 33 years while raising five children, four of them boys. When at other's homes and we sit down to eat at an undressed table I feel like I'm eating at a fast-food restaurant. The table just seems unfinished. I don't wash them everyday. I use the tablecloth and napkins for about a week, unless something gets spilled and needs to be washed immediately. I have always ironed everything. I enjoy the mindless chore of ironing and watch a film or listen to a podcast while ironing. But I don't hold others to that standard. Tablecloths can be seasonal and add a nice splash of color.
I have some very old damask tablecloths that I use for formal or Christmas. One belonged to my 'substitute' mother's mother. My substitute mother was born in 1914 like my real mother, so her mother was born in the late 1800's. I love using cloth napkins too. My kitchen tablecloths are French, one with lavender around the border, and it has napkins and bread baskets and apron to match! Yes, I am a matchy person.
I like the idea of placemats over tablecloths. My thoughts are: a lot of crumbs, etc. fall over the edges of plates and drips from soup bowls on the area that a placemat will cover. And it's a lot less hassle to clean a placemat covering a small area rather than the whole tablecloth every time a tiny mishap happens. So go ahead and break those outdated rules and do what works for you.
I'm from France and like my mother and grandmothers, have lots of tablecloths. Some are for special occasions, others for everyday use, some were embroidered by my mother and grandmother, a few are from faraway places like Tahiti or Egypt, some are modern and some are very old, and all are beautiful and chic. We've optionally used placemats on the tablecloths for many decades so I wasn't aware of a rule saying it's wrong. I don't think it's wrong at all. Even my grandmother (born at the end of the 19th century) made and embroidered beautiful sets of cotton or linen placemats to be used like that, and I still have a few sets as they are excellent quality.
I too love using tablecloths. I have an embroidery square one with dutch boy and girl design that my late mother-in-law made as a teenager in the mid 30's.I was lucky to inherit it as no one in the family wanted it. I put it on the diagonal on my round kitchen table and its also in pristine condition . I think linens warm up a home and make the setting cozy.
I’m with you, I love a layered look on my dining table as well. My parents are from Europe and a tablecloth is a daily must. When my friends come over they think I’m so formal, but to me, it’s very basic. I also use a table protectant which help with hot plates etc.. it has a plastic top, and felt underneath, a must for me. Loved today’s video.
I love using beautiful table linen. I collect vintage tablecloths and enjoy them so much. We always use cloth napkins as well. I find many lovely tablecloths in brand new condition at thrift stores! I think many people haven't used them and donate them without ever seeing their beauty.
I use a thermal cover on my table. The original one I purchased at a department store that went out of business so I was looking for a replacement and found it on Amazon. They have kept my table protected from hot dishes and liquids, and it’s thick so dings are minimal. My original thermal cover lasted 30 years through everyday wear and tear. My go to for everyday tablecloths is Target! They have very nice ones that often go on sale. I also like their cloth napkins. My favorite table cloth this past Christmas was a large white and black Buffalo check in a twill fabric. It looked very festive with my pink Old Britain Castles dishes.
I've noticed in some English country homes that oil cloth/water proof table cloths are used on the kitchen table. This is a great idea if you have kids or are very busy as they can simply be wiped down. Laura Ashley used to make some. I have a beautiful old French table in my kitchen/living area and this table is used for many purposes - sewing, writing letters etc...So to protect it I keep a cloth on it most of the time. I might take the cloth off and just use lovely place mats if we have visitors as the top of the table is so beautiful to look at. On a daily basis I use place mats on top of the cloth to keep it clean, then I can simply wash the place mats. As my kids have left the nest the cloth doesn't need frequent washing. A tip I got from another mum when my kids were young was to use a cloth with a small floral or paisley design as this shows the stains much less than a plain cloth which can be very unforgiving.
I too like to use a tablecloth, but not for everyday. I have found the best source for them is yard sales and estate sales. Since very few people use them today, there are many beautiful heirloom quality tablecloths to be had for pennies. Literally pennies! I have bought beautiful hand embroidered bridge sets for a dollar, and huge dining room table cloths, 100% linen, covered with hand embroidery for 50¢, sometimes they're free! Often I feel I need to honor the women who spent so much time creating such beautiful works of art by buying them. You have encouraged me to use the ones that I have more often.
I always layer a rattan placemat on top of my tablecloths! (And a charger on top of that, and then all the layers of tableware...) I’m all about the layers! You set your tables beautifully, Jennifer!
After watching your table settings videos a while back, I am using table cloths AND placemats. This is the perfect solution for our grandkids and brings me joy in between their visits, also. Our dining table is beautiful, but has suffered some from spills and hot plates over time. I have been shopping your Amazon picks! I think every week how happy I am that you are here, Jennifer, bringing so much light and poise.
Tablecloths add so much to the room and the dining experience. I have a very large table and lots if Tablecloths from my mother and grandmother that do not fit. So I use a base in a natural color and place the old colorful Tablecloths on top at an angle. It makes for a unique and cozy arrangement. Guest love the look.
Once again you've inspired me to improve my home, and this video got me organizing and rearranging my table linens. I realized that I had items that I only used occasionally taking up valuable space needed for everyday things. Everything is much neater now and in a place that makes sense. Always evolving..... ;)
Why haven't i thought of this as a way to enjoy different textiles. I love fabric, but I can't wear all the fabrics I love. New project - make tablecloths!!
I have a large collection of tablecloths. I love pretty linens. Sometimes I buy an attractive no iron sheet to use as a cloth. I have even bought shower curtains and cut off and hem the top part with the holes. I also use cloth napkins, but not everyday. I have always set a nice table for dinner, even when my three sons were little.
Shower curtains make great tablecloths! Especially if you have children. I also have one on my balcony table. It holds up wonderfully to the sun and rain and I can sweep dirt off easily - doesn't get in the threads of the fabric like it would if I used a cotton tablecloth.
I love using tablecloths and cloth napkins, not only just for me but also when I have guests over. I store my tablecloths and cloth napkins in my China cabinet that was my great-grandmother's.
I enjoy table linens, too. In a documentary about antique textiles at the Met, I saw how the conservator laundered and dried an antique garment flat on a large, smooth drainboard to avoid stress on the precious textile. I decided to try it on table linens. It worked. I almost never iron them now that I can air dry linens into almost ironed-looking condition. I just take damp napkins (or a minimally folded tablecloth) out of the washer and spread them on a big waterproof surface - a clean countertop, top of washer, or even a plastic-covered table like yours. I smooth the damp fabric with my hand flat against the surface, as tightly possible. Leave to air dry. Unless the climate is too humid, the linens come out looking attractive without ironing. The only thing I still struggle with is stains. Drips and rings from wine bottles and juice glasses. Sauce drips are also tricky. Boiling water is supposed to fix fruit stains but doesn't always work. Advice on stain removal would be welcome! Perhaps you've already done an episode like that.
@@rachaellefevre1957 I could only find a Folex brand online. Is that the same? Wine Away, I've heard that before. I might give it a go. I usually have good luck with Carbona products but not with red wine.
Oh my goodness!!! Finally someone who adores tablecloths! I agree with everything you said in your video. I just love your channel..You get me. I enjoy all the videos you post!❤Grateful for you!
Don't forget to look at thrift stores and yard sales for table clothes also. Needed several table clothes for my oldest daughter's wedding and I found them at these places. As I was watching this I was wondering why I don't use them now???
While vacationing on the south east coast, we went into different casual restaurants. They put out terry cloth napkins because some of the food was messy. Soooo, I came home and purchased a huge variety of brightly colored wash clothes and we use them for BBQ s, anything messy. Also, I have a big assortment of wild handkerchiefs that we use as napkins for picnics or casual dinner. Did I say we have 10 grandchildren??? Lots of meals here. Jennifer, You earned 4 thumbs up.
Fingertip towels are great for The messy meals too. I learned this from my mother in law who was a very gracious woman. They are getting harder to find now though.
I love you ideas, I love wearing dresses, my grandma is 91 I see her 3 times a week, she would love watching you, I wear a apron every day just like my grandma, I Home school, I was home schooled, I think we would get along so well, I wish you and your family could come for supper, I would put on a table cloth and make homemade biscuits because tomatoe biscuits with dukes mayonnaise are a must have this time a year, Keep up the good standards, hugs love Laura Moore
Ooh, I like that you are concentrating on a small subject and going deep. And you have a really good point about adding a kinder texture to the kitchen area.
I use place mats on top of my tablecloth, I like how it frames the place setting and it also helps to protect the table cloth from spills. I store my tablecloths as well as cloth napkins and place mats in the bottom part of a China hutch we inherited from my husband's family. It dates back to the Civil war and I love being able to actually use it as a functional piece of furniture on a daily basis.
If you are a newlywed like myself and just starting out in a smaller home with less storage, pick one aspect of table setting to be permanent (tablecloth) and one to be interchangeable (napkins). This is what I do. It allows me to have the freedom of changing things up seasonally, but I don’t have as many linens to store! I also only have two dish sets so I plan my tablecloth and napkins to look good with both options. Thank you! This video was so fun to watch!
I'm Italian and we always use tablecloths. My grandmother never used plastic tablecloths, but for a practical reason we use them 99% of the time. When there are guests or when there's an important day (Christmas, for example), though, we use the traditional tipe!
Love to use table clothes. I iron all of them and use spray starch on them to keep stains out. The starch help spills bead when things happens. I am the only one of my friends and family that use them. I know it takes time and effort to present a beautiful table. Thx katy
I love ❤️ table cloths. I change the color and fabric with the seasons. Adding a complimentary colored runner and placemats allows for a wide variety of looks. This time of year I bring in fresh picked peonies, irises and yarrow to brighten the table. I change up what teapots 🫖 I use too. It’s fun!
Just saw this. I’m a grandma and an inveterate tablecloth user. I use them in the kitchen and the dining room. I have lots of runners, and placemats and hard mats as well, that I use on the tables and my 9ft counter. It’s the focal point of my seasonal decorating. Enjoyed your commentary! 13:49
Beautiful Jennifer. I love your homemaking YT videos and I admire you changing your table linen daily! Seems like a lot to work to me but you have a fabulous consistency and your work ethic is commendable xx
Love this video, Jennifer! You could get a glass top for your kitchen table and never worry about ruining the table. Etsy is a great source for stunning tablecloths!!
Wow, I didn't realize there was Tablescape Police! LOL. I leave my lovely oak dining table bare most of the time using placemats for my husband and me. When the grands come for dinner, I have a wonderful set of boards with a plastic top and felt bottom that I add and then cover with a cloth and then add placemats for the fun factor. We have to put in all three leaves for our group of ten; it is the highlight of my month to have the whole gang for Sunday dinner! This was a terrific video; thanks for sharing your wonderful tips to make our homes more lovely and welcoming!
My mother in law had those wonderful felt bottom boards that were custom made for her dining table...wish I knew where I could get some for mine! Like Jennifer, I do use a plastic tablecloth beneath the cloth, but that doesn't provide as much protection as those boards do.
Hi Jennifer! Layering tablecloths and placemats is very cozy to me, I really enjoy the look of mixing textures and patterns and its another way to express ourselves! Thanks for sharing this video!
Team tablecloth and placement over here. I love to keep a neutral tablecloth on our dining room table and build from there with runners, placemats, or chargers for the season or holiday. Many of the ones we use in our formal dining room were hand-me-downs from grandmothers. They are always great reminders of family dinners around the table.
I collect beautiful vintage tablecloths and ALWAYS have one on my table! Sometimes I put them on the coffee table when I want to feel extra fancy 😊 And I try to iron them if time allows, because I find ironing to be relaxing! Lol
I love using tablecloths for two reasons. 1. I love to add colors and decorate the table. 2. My dining room table was built in 1850 and I want to protect it. It has 4 leaves and can seat 10-12. I use a plastic table cloth which is lined.
Thank you for this video, Jennifer. I really enjoyed it!😊I grew up in a country where we use table cloths on a daily basis. We have decorative ones when we don't have food on the table, but just a vase with flowers or a bowl of fruit. And those that we put when we have meals. They can be plain white or checked or Christmasy etc. I just love table cloths!
We repainted our old unsightly and groves. We used wood putty and filled the groves. The we used Beyond Paint which is AMAZING! And we painted the table. Done!
Love this video since Iam a sucker for tablecloth linens.Through my traveling I have collected beautiful and elegant one’s.... Love your kitchen so classy. 👍😘A lot of my friends can’t understand why I set the table so beautiful for daily dinner. Great video........ And love the placemats with tablecloth YES play with your table setting .👍
I love finding kindred spirits! We enjoy tablecloths in our home (in fact, I intentionally keep my dining room decor on the neutral side so that I can change the feel of the space with my tablecloths). We homeschooled for 16 years around this table, and a saving grace was custom table pads that protected our wood from pencils/scissors/liquids/etc. The table pads were an add-on decision when we ordered our table, and I am so thankful we opted for that investment (it added about 25% to the cost of the table--entirely worth it!). Besides Williams-Sonoma, I love to peruse April Cornell for tablecloths. Her line has lots of beautiful florals and plaids in seasonally-themed color ways. My dream is to someday own a tablecloth from Coleur Nature (their woodblock prints and designs are stunning!).
Always loved tablecloth, my dinning table is in between my kitchen and living room, it's one large area. So nice tablecloth is a must 👌, with beautiful flowers or a bowl of fruit, a nice welcome for everyone who walks in!
I don’t always use a tablecloth but always use cloth napkins. I probably have 60-80 cloth napkins. We are down to just my hubby & me now, but also used them when raising our children. I just yesterday tossed a badly stained cloth napkin. We use the same napkin all week unless it is too stained ( doesn’t happen often as I’m not above refolding one if necessary. Each person has their own weekly napkin. A grandson lived with us for 5-6 years and I frequently had to toss his in the wash. And yes I do use cloth tablecloths also, but not necessarily daily Loved this vid.
In the UK it is common for people to use thick printed vinyl cloths which can be easily wiped clean and are thick enough to act as a heat protector. I had ones from Laura Ashley and bought them cut by the metre x
I love vintage table clothes. I also use them on the patio so the cat hair stays off the cushions...They are great for picnic lunches on the lawn as well!
I've bought some lovely tablecloths really cheap second hand I just wanted to put that out there because they can be expensive. I store all i need for table setting on open shelving in the dining area. Napkins, place mats and candles included. It looks quite practical, but pretty sitting on the shelf.
I've always used tablecloths and real napkins in our home. I also bought fun colorful plates, cups and cloth napkins for the kids. It's not for special occasions and guests. You and your family are special too!
Very beautiful video especially this days that a lot of people use paper plates and No tablecloth . I love your videos because they are very elegant but practical
Yes to layering placemats (also table runners) over table cloths. Patterns and colors vary according to season and events. Over 20 years ago I bought 4 medium/dark green and white (large gingham check) table cloths from WalMart. They were affordable and I love green! I intended to make two of them into placemats and napkins. Never happened! Even though I have fancier table cloths, I use these on our dining room table often and on a narrow portable table I use as a buffet for holidays and special occasions. They wash up like a dream and don’t hold stains! They can be dressed up or casual. I learned years ago from a friend to hang table cloths and runners. There are fewer creases for no iron days. Re; plastic table cloths - when my children were small, for daily use I put the plastic cover over the fabric table cloth - and used glass cleaner to wipe it down after our routine family meals. With a hectic schedule and lots of loads of laundry, it saved some time and effort. When I was growing up, table cloths were only for company and holidays. Even as an empty nester I love using them every day. They really complete the room in a way I love. For table scapes I pull out family hand me down glassware and candle holders, pine cones, fruit, holiday decor. I can’t always use flowers since a family member is allergic - but it’s fun to get creative.
I have the two last chapters left to read in Lessons From Madame Chic and I have enjoyed it so much! I am going to break out the tablecloths! I am realizing that using your nice things everyday makes life more pleasurable!
My mom has put a plastic tablecloth underneath a normal tablecloth for years and years. I remember she started doing it when we were little so that we would not scratch the wooden table when we were writing on paper with a pencil. But I am sure she was also thinking about other messes too. We are also a family that uses cloth napkins! I think they are very practical! :)
I love table cloths and use them daily, as well. It lifts my spirit like going into a fine restaurant. I also use placemats to add color and variety. They are such fun!
Thanks for creating a video on this fun topic! I also use placemats with a tablecloth - I love the layered look (and placemats make cleanup easier when my children make a mess!)
Nice! I only have 1 tablecloth bc I turned my other one into a curtain. I did just get a table runner on clearance. Walmart has been a good source for cheap linens especially cloth napkins (and for diaper, flour sack cloth towels lol). Napkins are elegant but truthfully it's just so much cheaper to use cloth and so much better for the environment.
Love tablecloths! They brighten up our kitchen. My children enjoy choosing what cloth is going on the table when we change them out. We also use cloth placemats on top of the cloth. And of course, cloth napkins. Kitchen ones stored in the linen cupboard and dining room ones in the dining room. I didn’t even realise that it’s old fashioned!?
Don't think it's really old fashioned, but so many young ladies haven't been taught. Whether mom had to work outside the home & decided certain niceties was too much to deal with or whatever. And now, there are way too many single moms...
I love tablecloths and table linens! I have the Provence tablecloth from Williams Sonoma, too. I also have the matching napkins in assorted colors, that are great for mixing and matching. They are my favorite, they just seem to wash and wear so well and don’t need ironing. And the colors and patterns seem to hide the inevitable stains. I also find that good quality, well washed linen makes good tablecloths and napkins. If the quality isn’t good, it wrinkles like crazy. But the high quality ones just get better after every wash.
I love tablecloths! Since I'm a seamstress i love fabrics. I also helps to cover up my stained table that i would like refinished. Enjoyed your video. 🌷
Wonderful topic. Thanks. We enjoy tablecloths both on the kitchen table and the dining room table along with damask, linen, cotton, or silk napkins, which we find at Goodwill, and dye when we have a sufficient batch quantity. The large cloth napkins have saved many outfits or robes from needing stain treatment. Also, they are fun for children whom enjoy picking their favorite, playing peek a boo, trying to guess the names coinciding with the initials, folding them into shapes, or tucking them under their chins like Poirot.
I am a fan of tablecloths and linens in general. I learned to hang my tablecloths on hangar in a closet. That works very well for me ♡ Love your table linens.
Love tablecloths. I use cherry inspired tablecloths in my kitchen. Our first home had cherries. On wallpaper. I LOVED IT....MOM AND DADDY NOT AS MUCH. I Was four. So my kitchen 64 years later must have something with Che rries. My grandmother used a pad, then a lovely material? Greenish tablecloth, topped with a soft vinyl on the dining room table. She kept it like that always. Momma had a few she would put in out kitchen table for holidays, birthdays. She should have used a vinyl over as I always added to the stains. I use a tablecloth on my dining room table, placentas also! Thank you for the video! 🌺🦒💕
When I started out in my first own appartment my mother brought an undercloth as a must-have, and with every move and change she would bring another fitted undercloth. I don‘t even know where she gets them. They are sold by the meter and cut to fit. Mine are a little bigger than the table top but a bit shorter and narrower than the table cloth itself, as to not peek out. We feel it adds a bit of spring or lushness to the look and protects the table top all around. Underneath it is a soft felt and on top there is a soft rubbery white waterproof surface. Actually probably a waterproof bedlinnen might work as well? My mother-in-law has a great way to deal with very old napkins, cloths and embroidered/lacy runners - things that got spots or got yellowish in the cupboard. She brews a good strong black tea and soaks them really good. They get a lovely ivory colouring and it not only looks very elegant,but just so as it should be like this. Another thing she does, is colour them really colourful with special mixes for the washing machine, like dark blue when she is recolouring her jeans and she can add additional weight to the load.
I grew up with tablecloths on the dining room table. I still us a tablecloths when entertaining inside and out. In the kitchen I use a printed plastic tablecloth which wipes easily. I have a nice dining table on my patio and there is a table cloth and a clear plastic table cloth over it to protect the table. I have a deep, big drawer in my dining room cabinet. All my table cloths and runners are stored there.
I use tablecloths every day. yes... I do have round whicker placemats on top most times. A very budget friendly resource I found was a lovely little thrift store that seems to always have an abundance of like new tablecloths and other table linens.
My family will be buying our first dinning table in the next year and I never considered the hassle of grooves on top. Thank you so much for pointing that out as I love the look of that style and would have most likely chosen one with those high maintenance grooves.
