How do I know what size tablecloth to buy? We at Pieces of History Antique Linens and Lace get many excellent questions related to linens and laces, over the upcoming weeks we would like to use this forum to answer some of them.

Years ago, back in the day, tablecloth sizes were chosen depending on the time of day and the occasion. The dictates for the amount of drape on any given event was rigidly adhered to . In the event one did not know and was unfortunate enough to use the wrong size cloth, oh faux pas! You were the subject of many whisperings and titters behind rapidly waving fans!

Today, thank goodness, this is no longer the case. The only rules might be in choosing colors that don't clash. Seriously though, what you decide to use on your table is only limited by imagination or one's pocketbook. A tablecloth can be any length from no drape to floor length and any color and or pattern at all. Still, some would like a few guidelines, and for those in the dark I will mention these. For very formal occasions, white is the color of choice, other colors may be used but white is always correct! The cloth should be long enough and wide enough to drape over the side and have the bottom rest about 4-6 inches above the chair seat. This gives guests enough room to scoot their legs comfortable under the table without the cloth getting in the way (have you ever been at a table where the cloth was draped all over your legs and you couldn't find your napkin under all that bunched up fabric?) It can be a bit shorter and still be fine. Another choice is to have the cloth drape to the floor. This looks very dramatic, hides the chair legs (perfect for folding tables) and the family dog looking for tidbits. The drawback is that it's a lot of fabric to push out of the way when sitting down to the table. If your tablecloth isn't wide enough or long enough you could use the layering technique. This is done by using contrasting or complementary colored tablecloths one over the other. The longer cloth is placed on the table first and the smaller one over that. Even a smaller 3rd cloth can be used. This, done well, can create a rich, expensive textured look.

Have fun and experiment with different colors, sizes and shapes to see what you like! A round cloth can be used on a rectangular table over a larger rectangular cloth or a square cloth over a round one or vice versa. Almost anything goes!

After you find that perfect tablecloth or combination, how do you keep it from sliding around on your table? A good inexpensive solution for this are the thin rubber mats made to put under carpeting to keep it from scooting around on your floor. These come in a variety of sizes and can be obtained in most hardware stores, they are washable (hang to dry) and easily cut with scissors to fit your table contours. Another benefit is that they pad the table under the cloth which helps prevent damaging your table as well as your fine china and eliminates the annoying rattling of utensils. Get the ones that are made specifically to go over wood floors and remove them from the table along with the tablecloth at the end of the meal when everyone is in another room comfortably digesting.

Pieces of History Antique Linens and Lace has a fine selection of tablecloths including round, square, rectangular and hard to find wide banquet cloths.

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