Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-07-28
THE DINING TABLE.
ITS COVERINGS, Irs BELONGINGS, IFS
COMFORTS AND ITS CHEER.

The silence cloth may be of felt, Of
extra weight, double-fsced Canton fan
mel, or discarded bed blanket may be
utilized for 1t. Select white, that the
linen placed over il may not borrow
ding ness FROM it. Careful housewives
have observed that the linen tablecloth
breaks first where IL comes In contact
with the edge Of the table. The silence
cloth softens the hard edges Of the
table, thereby lessening the friction and
preserving the linen; 1t also makes u
mat over the tables polished surface,
protecting it from discolorations from
hot plates or acids, It will be found u
convenience to have the silence cloth Sc
cured TO the dining table by means Of
tape strings, about three on each side.
tied underneath the table.
The new linen Is very lovely. Ii
comes in ''sll-oyer" patterns OF con-
volvulus, chrys II themums, uaidenhair
fern and bachelors button; while the
Dresden designs Of detached and drop
ped blossoms also find favor; for the
latter the single wild rose Is liked, also
the carnation, buttercup and clover.
There is return to popularity Of the old
snowdrop pattern so dear 10 the hearts
Of our grandmothers. Coin spots, inter
laced rings and overlapping squares are
also shown.
Table linen should be hemmed by
hand in this way: Fold the hem from n
lquarter OF sn inch 10 hslf-inch IN
depth, according TO the thickness OF the
linen; then turn the hem back on To the
right side OF the cloth aud stitch the hem
TO the cloth in top or whip seam
when pressed Hat the sewing will b,
alike on both sides OF the cloth
Fine white table linen Is quite nice
enough without decoration, but \ letter
or monogram worked In one corner |:
admissible. For this, use soft, silvery
white wash silk. Roman noss Is heavy
enough or Asiatic Caspian will be found
Just adapted to this work. IL color |:
desired select something unobtrusive
say Delft blue or cream color. The let
ter should be neither very large moi
very ornate.
Dinner napkins remain large, three
lquaTters OF yard and yard square
being the usual sizes. These should Do
hemmed, as was the cloth mentioned
above. They may also bear an Initial t.
match the cloth.
| For centerpieces, csryers cloths, etc.
select plain white linen having n fine
round, even thread Of equal weigh, II
warp and wool. This latter quality |:
essential for decoration To drawn work
All these cloths, "a well as matt, may b,
finished with hemstliched hem above
which is a pattern in Mexican drawn
work. There are fine linen threads adj
mirsbly adapted 10 this work, or soft
finished cotton may be- used.
Another fancy Is 10 embroider, viii
white Asiatic flo, n border on the center
piece, tray and caryeT's cloths In ih'
same floral design IS that on the table
cloth itself. In this case the edges may
be buttouholed In spool-sized scallop'
with firm, durable thread, say tbs
medieval twisted embroidery silk, or, u
that be too heavy, Asiatic Caspian " oulC
answer. The Empire designs Of half
wreaths with floating ribbons have los
none OF their beauty, though their popu
lsrity Is on the wane. Daintiucss anC
thoroughuess should mark the work OF
table linen whatever the design.
The tAblecloth should be- ironed la &C
Gordon folds the long way OF The cloth
There should be no pressing OF cross
folds, but when the linen IL perfectly
dry snd well aired" il may be lightly
folded 10 length To BE- received upot
the shelf of the linen closet. Napkins
are usually pressed into fsnciful Shape
when ironed.