The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-02-08
Table-linen, Towels, Etc.

For handsome table-linen, the prefer
ence is for French damask of the finest
finish, as it is not so heavy as the Irish
cloths. The most expensive cloths are
so finely twilled all over that they are
as lustrous as satin, and the damask
figures form design in the center
which is repeated in the larger sizes as
border; thus, there. is small vine
around the center, with cordons or rib
bons woven into the damask, and this is
enlarged near the edge; small dots are
woven in the spaces near the middle,
and these increase in size until, near
the edge, they are three inches in diam
eter. Fern-leaves, Shamrocks, sprigs,
shaded moons, blocks, rings interlinked,
daisies, and other detached flowers are
strewn about on the cloths, with the
center pattern and border of some de-
sign to correspond. Snowy-white dam
ask without colored borders is now
used in these fine cloths, which come in
sets of square cloths of different sizes
for breakfast, luncheon, and dinner
tables, and are accompanied by doyleys,
fringed tray cloths, and napkins in
which the center design of the cloth is
woven. Square cloths are most pop
ular; those measuring ten quarters each
way are most used, but for large dinner
tables they are five yards square. There
are long slender strips of colored dam
ask sold separate from cloths with a
canvas border on each edge that may
be embroidered in colors, and the sides
finished with drawn-work and fringe;
these are placed down the middle of the
table when color is desired, and there
are also oatmeal cloth strips of this
kind that ladies embroider at their
leisure, and use either as buffet covers
or as table strips. The cloths with en-
broidered colored borders are most
liked when their work is done by hand,
hence those with machine embroidery
are not largely imported. The colored
luncheon cloths and those used for
breakfast tables may be of pink, buff,
pale blue, or cardinal damask, or else
they are white damask cloths with a
border of blue or red damask.
The small tables used at afternoon
teas and at elaborate luncheons usually
have needle-work upon them, done in
outline designs in colors. Heavy Irish
damasks, with shamrocks, ferns and
Greek designs, are liked for general use
because of their durability; and the
German damasks, with clear blue and
| clear scarlet borders, are chosen for the
same reason; the latter have both doy-
leys and napkins to match. Damasks
sold by the yard for table-cloths are in
pure white with sprig patterns, or else
in the cream-white tints. just as the
cloth comes out of the looms, without
being bleached. Gray linen damasks
are not used now, as the, unbleached
damasks are quite as inexpensive, and
wear better, and if well laundried they
gradually become white. Turkey red
cloths come in block patterns that have
damask figure alternating with plain
blocks, and are then bordered and
fringed; these are liked for plain break
fast tables, as are also the solid-colored
red cloths that have red doyleys to
serve as fruit napkins. The large nap
kins, three-fourths or seven-eighths of a
yard in size, are most largely imported,
and the only smaller ones shown at
many stores are the half-yard square
'ringed doyleys that are also made use
of as napkins. HGTper'S BGzGr.