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Those of us who like to have lace on our tables would love to have the genuine article – real antique lace tablecloths. It’s possible to find antique lace tablecloths in excellent condition, and often the lace is combined with panels of linen. I particularly like cut linen, the tiny designs delicately cut out of the panels and stitched intricately to avoid fraying. Antique lace tablecloths with panels of cut linen joined together with contrasting lace really give an appearance of good quality and style.
The antique lace tablecloths from Victorian times often have a central panel of linen to take most wear, then a border of lace which joins additional linen panels in the drop. Some beautiful antique lace tablecloths have a central panel of linen but the whole drop is made from delicate lace. The prices for antique lace tablecloths aren’t too high, and matching napkins are often found with them. The napkins also use linen for the main panel, connected by lace to the linen borders. There are smaller antique lace tablecloths for supper tables, as well as the larger ones for dining tables.
For real lovers of lace there are antique lace tablecloths from France, Italy, Brussels and America and other countries, all with slightly different styles. A combination of lace, linen and needlepoint means that a limitless number of designs could be crafted, and the handmade antique lace tablecloths are each unique. In the past people used to lay the table with far more accessories, so there are table runners along with napkins and other items, and this means that it’s possible to find more in the range when you choose antique lace tablecloths.
There are still people who work with the various methods of lace-making and it has continued in America and parts of Europe, so it’s possible to find contemporary items made in the style of handmade antique lace tablecloths. Many new designs are based on traditional styles, so it’s still possible to capture that look even if antique lace tablecloths are beyond your budget.
Take great care when washing antique lace tablecloths, or any lace tablecloth. First they need to be soaked in distilled water with a small amount of pre-soaking detergent. You need to soak antique lace tablecloths for a day, replacing the water every six hours. If they need whitening you can soak them first in milk, but rinse it out thoroughly, and you can use a stain remover especially for delicates if you have a bad mark to get out. Next wash the antique lace tablecloths by hand using a detergent for delicate fabrics, then squeeze out the water carefully without wringing. Rinse thoroughly and squeeze the water out again.
To dry antique lace tablecloths, first you need to lay them out on top of absorbent fabric, such as towelling. Pat them as dry as you can, or roll them up carefully in the fabric to absorb a little more. It’s best to let antique lace tablecloths dry indoors, but if you hang them outside make sure they don’t come into contact with direct sunlight. It’s best to put another white sheet under antique lace tablecloths when you hang them outside so they don’t touch the line. Antique lace tablecloths are only for the best occasions, but with the right care they can last a lifetime and beyond.
