A tablecloth is a cloth used to cover a table. Some are mainly ornamental coverings, which may also help protect the table from scratches and stains. Other tablecloths are designed to be spread on a dining table before laying out tableware and food. Some tablecloths are designed as part of an overall table setting, with coordinating napkins, placemats, or other decorative pieces. Special kinds of tablecloth include "runners" which overhang the table at two ends only and "table protectors" which provide a padded layer under a normal tablecloth.
The most common shapes for tablecloths are round, square, oval, and oblong, or rectangular, corresponding to the most common table shapes. Tablecloths usually have an overhang, referred to as the "drop." The drop is generally 6 to 15 inches (15 to 38 cm) on each side of the table, with a shorter drop for casual dining and a longer drop for more formal occasions. Sometimes a floor-length cloth is used. Custom-made tablecloths are also available, and some people choose to make their own.
Fabrics and careedit
Today, dining tablecloths are typically made of cotton, a poly-cotton blend, or a PVC-coated material that can be wiped clean, but they can be made of almost any material, including delicate fabrics like embroideredsilk. Ease of laundering is an important consideration for tablecloths used for dining, as they are easily soiled.
Historyedit
The oldest known reference to tablecloth dates back to around 100 AD, when it was mentioned by ancient Latin Spanish poet Martial.[1]
In many European cultures a white, or mainly white, tablecloth used to be the standard covering for a dinner table. In the later medieval period, spreading a high quality white linen or cotton cloth on the table was an important part of preparing for a feast in a wealthy household. Over time, the custom of arranging tableware on a cloth became common for most social classes except the very poorest.[2] As eating habits changed in the 20th century, a much greater range of table-setting styles developed. Some formal dinners still use white tablecloths, often with a damask weave, but other colours and patterns are also common.
Special casesedit
Perugia tablecloths and napkins have been made since medieval times. These cloths are white with characteristic woven blue stripes and patterns. This style is also associated with church linen.[3]
Victorian interiors were full of thick, fringed draperies in deep colours, including tablecloths reaching the floor.[4]
Cultural referencesedit
A video of the trick being performed in slow motion
A popular "magic trick" involves pulling a loaded tablecloth away from a table but leaving the plates behind. This trick relies on inertia. It is known as a tablecloth pull or a tablecloth yank.
^Knisely, Tom (2017-04-30). "History of Table Coverings". Handwoven Table Linens: 27 Fabulous Projects From a Master Weaver. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 3–4. ISBN978-0-8117-6542-8.
^"The Tablecloth In History". Your Tablecloth. 20 March 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
^"Towel V&A Search the Collections". collections.vam.ac.uk. Retrieved 2 October 2016.
^Bott and Clephane, Our Mothers, Gollancz 1932, p60
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January 01, 1970
tablecloth, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, december, 2009,. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Tablecloth news newspapers books scholar JSTOR December 2009 Learn how and when to remove this message A tablecloth is a cloth used to cover a table Some are mainly ornamental coverings which may also help protect the table from scratches and stains Other tablecloths are designed to be spread on a dining table before laying out tableware and food Some tablecloths are designed as part of an overall table setting with coordinating napkins placemats or other decorative pieces Special kinds of tablecloth include runners which overhang the table at two ends only and table protectors which provide a padded layer under a normal tablecloth Traditional Romanian tablecloth made in Maramures Cover for Square Table Qing dynasty Qianlong period 1736 1795 China Cut and voided silk velvet Detail of crochet tablecloth Contents 1 Shapes and sizes 2 Fabrics and care 3 History 4 Special cases 5 Cultural references 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksShapes and sizes editThe most common shapes for tablecloths are round square oval and oblong or rectangular corresponding to the most common table shapes Tablecloths usually have an overhang referred to as the drop The drop is generally 6 to 15 inches 15 to 38 cm on each side of the table with a shorter drop for casual dining and a longer drop for more formal occasions Sometimes a floor length cloth is used Custom made tablecloths are also available and some people choose to make their own Fabrics and care editToday dining tablecloths are typically made of cotton a poly cotton blend or a PVC coated material that can be wiped clean but they can be made of almost any material including delicate fabrics like embroidered silk Ease of laundering is an important consideration for tablecloths used for dining as they are easily soiled History editThe oldest known reference to tablecloth dates back to around 100 AD when it was mentioned by ancient Latin Spanish poet Martial 1 In many European cultures a white or mainly white tablecloth used to be the standard covering for a dinner table In the later medieval period spreading a high quality white linen or cotton cloth on the table was an important part of preparing for a feast in a wealthy household Over time the custom of arranging tableware on a cloth became common for most social classes except the very poorest 2 As eating habits changed in the 20th century a much greater range of table setting styles developed Some formal dinners still use white tablecloths often with a damask weave but other colours and patterns are also common Special cases editPerugia tablecloths and napkins have been made since medieval times These cloths are white with characteristic woven blue stripes and patterns This style is also associated with church linen 3 Victorian interiors were full of thick fringed draperies in deep colours including tablecloths reaching the floor 4 Cultural references edit source source source source source source source source A video of the trick being performed in slow motion A popular magic trick involves pulling a loaded tablecloth away from a table but leaving the plates behind This trick relies on inertia It is known as a tablecloth pull or a tablecloth yank See also editCloche Coaster Crumber Doily Placemat Sufra Silence clothReferences edit Knisely Tom 2017 04 30 History of Table Coverings Handwoven Table Linens 27 Fabulous Projects From a Master Weaver Rowman amp Littlefield pp 3 4 ISBN 978 0 8117 6542 8 The Tablecloth In History Your Tablecloth 20 March 2013 Retrieved June 1 2021 Towel V amp A Search the Collections collections vam ac uk Retrieved 2 October 2016 Bott and Clephane Our Mothers Gollancz 1932 p60External links edit nbsp Art portal nbsp Clothing portal nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Tablecloths Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Tablecloth amp oldid 1214891282, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
