The list of table linen is incomplete without a damask carving cloth to
match each tablecloth, which it protects from spatterings from the
platter. This also may be fashioned of plain linen, should be about
three-quarters of a yard wide and a yard long, and either hemstitched or
scalloped--embroidered, too, if one cares to put that much energy into
work which will show so little. And then there must be some doilies to
overlay the Canton-flannel-covered asbestos mats for use under hot dishes.
CENTERPIECES
Styles in centerpieces are fleeting; just now all-white holds sway, and
of a surety there is nothing daintier. Although pretty centers can be
purchased all the way up from $1, here again the mistress's industrious
fingers come into play, for there is a certain unbuyable satisfaction in
working a little of one's very self into the table adornment, and really
handsome centerpieces are quite expensive. They run in sizes from 12 to
45 inches. The center with doilies to match is pretty and desirable. It
is quite as easy to arrange them in this way as to gather in an
ill-assorted, mismated collection. Those for daily use should be rather
simple and of a quality which will not suffer from frequent intercourse
with the washtub.
MONOGRAMS
The fashion of embroidering monograms on table linen must be handled with
care; the working over-and-over of the padded letters with fine cotton
thread is a nice task which requires experience and skill. The cloth
monograms are from 2 to 3 inches high and are placed at one side of the
center, toward the corner. Either the full monogram or an initial is
appropriate in the corner of the napkin, and to be in the best taste
should never be more than an inch high. These letters are either plain,
in circlets, or surrounded with running vines, and add that distinction
to the napery which handwork always imparts.
CARE OF TABLE LINEN
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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