People always dreamed of some miracle that could brighten up life and feed on the road. The life of ordinary people was very complicated, and food was not full of variety. So, tales began to appear in fairy tales about self-assembled tablecloths, which in any situation could help out and feed their fill.
Definition
And even if the self-assembled tablecloth is just a fabulous character, then the concept itself has been known for quite some time.
A tablecloth is a woven product of special development designed for laying the table. They were different: linen and silk, lace and embroidered.
Tablecloth history
In past centuries, people were more serious about food than today. Eating was not just a way to get enough. Food was considered a gift of the Gods, which should be treated with reverence and respect. In every house, a prayer must be uttered before the start of the meal. Usually, before the beginning of eating food, “Our Father” was read.
Many pagan holidays were directly confined to sowing and harvesting. This attitude to food was reflected in the table setting.
Even in Ancient Egypt, tables were covered with a special canvas. They had a highly developed production of thin cotton and linen fabrics. Based on these materials, they created tablecloths and clothes.
They were decorated with embroidery, with traditional ornaments.
In ancient Greece, the attitude towards the tablecloth was very respectful. Only slaves and poor people were sitting at uncovered tables.
The Persians and Romans embroidered tablecloths in gold.
In Russia, they appeared much earlier than the Europeans. The tradition of making a table came to us from Byzantium. Russia was different in that there was a tablecloth in every family and in every house. Whether it's the king’s house or a peasant's hut.
They were part of the dowry of the bride. Table linen was very expensive, and it was ordered to the craftswomen from the monasteries. It was a very difficult, painstaking work, time-consuming.
Signs
A special relationship was reflected in folk signs.
The most famous is an ancient sign. You need to remove the crumbs before the guests disperse. Otherwise, an unmarried girl, if there is one in the family, will never meet the groom. It is simply explained. In Russia, the tablecloth was removed immediately from the table, after the meal was over.
In Russian traditions, the table was perceived as the palm of God. Hitting the table with the tablecloth was considered a great sin. This sign reflects a person’s attitude to food, which was obtained by hard work.
A respectable attitude can be traced in the saying “good riddance”. Saying this parting word, people wanted the uneven, sometimes impassable road to become as flat as a tablecloth laid on a table.
They were never repaired. They were used in everyday life until the last opportunity, and then they were not allowed on a rag, but burned.
Materials, sizes and colors
To date, this household item has already lost its significance, but has become an element of the interior.
The fabrics used in the manufacture are divided into three types:
Natural. This category includes cotton, linen, and jacquard fabrics. These materials are sophisticated and chic, can serve as decoration of each festive table. They also have drawbacks, the washed material shrinks, it needs to be ironed, it is difficult to remove dirt. Such tablecloths are used only in solemn occasions.
Mixed. These fabrics are obtained by mixing natural and synthetic fibers. Teflon or acrylic impregnated cotton fabrics withstand water, pollution, and heat. Caring for them is easy. It should be wiped with a wet rag. But these fabrics wear out quickly.
Artificial. This type includes polyester or vinyl fabrics. These materials are not wrinkled, pollution from them is easily removed. They have a long service life. But they are afraid of temperature effects, you can’t put hot dishes or a candle on a table with such a tablecloth.
It is important to choose the right size. According to the rules of etiquette, the edges should be 15-20 centimeters. The edges should not go below the chairs. If you have a table with dimensions of one and a half and a half meters, then it is better to choose a tablecloth 2x2 meters.
For a sliding table, you must have two tablecloths, one small for a folded state and a large one for an unfolded table.
Any tablecloth is, first of all, a decorative element. Therefore, you need to choose the right colors.
Important! The color should be in harmony with the colors of the kitchen and the dishes that will be put on it. The best solution is to choose a plain material, if the dishes are with drawings, and vice versa.
Do not forget about the game of contrasts. You can take two different models, opposite in color and different size.
New Style - Double Tablecloths
Recently, double tablecloths have come into fashion. They look very unusual. They use harmonious or contrasting colors. The upper tablecloth in this set is called naperon, it is always square in shape.
In the modern world, a reverent attitude towards food and tablecloths has been lost, but has endowed them with decorative functionality. The number of various models is so great that you can easily pick up for every taste and occasion.
