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In early times, they were so rare and expensive that only the very large oval tablecloths wealthy could afford them, so linens were guarded zealously. in many households, linen inventories were meticulously kept in handwritten lists and regularly attended to by a dedicated staff. fortunately, linens are no longer so rare or costly anymore, yet for us at gracious style, tablecloths they are no less precious. ultimately, we love linens because they are so personal. they accompany us through a lifetime of celebrations and memories - from meals shared with loved ones to anniversaries and holidays - and ultimately become treasured heirlooms. what should i look for in finer linens? there are some subtle differences, however. linen feels lighter and crisper and becomes large oval tablecloths whiter with use. it is also highly absorbent and tablecloths lint-free. cotton oval feels more substantial and is generally prone to more shrinkage than linen. one advantage of both: over time, cotton and linen become significantly softer with use. what is irish linen? irish linen is widely acknowledged to be among the finest linen in the world, renowned for its fineness and traditional designs. production of linen in ireland began in early christian times, but it was not until the 17th century that the industry fully developed as skilled weavers fled the wars in the continent and settled in ireland. in addition to the weavers'' expertise, the fineness of the yarns and the softness of the waters tablecloths in northern ireland (used in the finishing processes) produce a cloth which is unusually soft and fine. what size should my tablecloth be? in general, the longer the drape, oval the more formal the table will look. for most dining tables, we suggest that cloths should have at least an eight-inch drop on all tablecloths sides. for a more elegant look, lengthen the drop to approximately twenty inches. finally, for the most dramatic effect, use a cloth which reaches all the way to the floor, or even beyond, to create a luxurious puddle effect.
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