Question:
Hi!
I found this gorgeous tablecloth with 6 matching napkins. My scanner makes it look darker than it is- it is actually Jadite green. I fell in love with the teapot-teacup design.
I am guessing 1950s. Is there a way to know?
The scan is of a napkin, I flipped part of it so you can see the back.
Thanks,
Denise
Answer:
Denise, that design is printed not woven correct? That's what it looks like from the photo but I wanted to make sure. Most of the checked ones usually seem to have a woven design.
The color would suggest the 1950's but I'm far from a tablecloth expert.
Hopefully someone else will pop in to add their ideas. I know we have at least one tablecloth collector around here.
Answer:
Denise, your tablecloth/napkin set has me stumped. I have several vintage checked tablecloths with designs similar to yours but mine are damask (the designs are woven) and yours are printed. I've looked through my books and haven't found anything similar to yours with a printed design.
Is your fabric lightweight? Does the tablecloth have two selvage edges or are all four sides hemmed? And what size is the tablecloth?
Moda is making reproduction tablecloth fabric with several of the old 40s and 50s designs. One of the reproductions is a red and white check with black ants but I haven't seen a reproduction teapot check. A true vintage tablecloth will have two selvage edges and two hemmed ends but a reproduction tablecloth will be hemmed on all four sides.
Hopefully someone will come along who can tell you more about your set. At any rate, it looks very nice.
Joan
Answer:
Denise, I found this set on eBay that looks similar to yours.
Tablecloth set
Joan
Answer:
Tanya and Joan,
The design appears to be printed. When I look at the back with a magnifying glass, you can see the individual threads where the darker shade of green is. I don't have any other linens here to compare it to anymore.
The tablecloth is 50 X 64, it has two selvage ends, it is lightweight, cotton? cotton linen mix? The weave is not as tight as I have seen on cotton tablecloths, more like a mix of the white smooth cotton and the Irish linen tea towels. Does that make any sense?
I bought it from a relative of an older woman who entered assisted care recently. I also got a placemate/ napkin set marked Pilgrim, which I can't find any info on, and since it is patriotic themed I am going to have to put that up wothout info.
The woman who sold me these said they were all "vintage"...her word.
I need to learn to stay away from textiles, just sometimes that is all I can find that seems "ebayable" I did well with a lot of Patterns last week, a few surprises, but they had copyright dates. You have no idea how much fabric I pass up because I just can't be sure it's vintage.
Answer:
oops...
and Yes Joan, that looks exactly like the print on mine. Mine is jadeite green and white, that one is blue.
Answer:
Looks like those blue napkins were not washed as often as the tablecloth - or at least didn't get the color loss that might have been from the sun or frequent washing.
Since the blue tablecloth is the NOT the exact size yours is, I'd wager that neither of them is 'homemade' as the other seller states. One fabric is woven 36" wide (selvedge to selvedge) and the other is either 64 or 50" wide. It seems to me not likely that the same fabric would be made in both widths unless for a commercial order...
Just speculation...
Answer:
Thanks for the "selvedge" spelling Goosworks1
The selvedge is on the long ends, so the fabric is 50" wide.
I found an interesting discussion on Vintage Tablecloths by Googling. It gave decades-then the things to look for in the tablecloths. It was an Ebay Discussion , that's what made me think 50's.
Thanks for all the help!
PS:
Here is a pic of the Placemat set.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Denise Thanks for the "selvedge" spelling Goo(d)works1 There is no one-official-correct spelling for that word, as far as I know. I finally decided to just pick one spelling that I know is okay and stick with it. I also know that Joan's spelling (selvage) is okay and according to one dictionary I have, selvage is the preferred version.
So...whatever you choose. I've also seen people use selvege and everyone seems to know what they're talking about (at least when it's used in context.)
Elaine
Nice placemat set! Never used?
Answer:
The placemat set has never even been taken out of the package. The scotchtape is still on the corners holding the placemats in place. Unfortunately that is Not a good thing, since the tape yellowed.
I searched all over and couldn't find a reference for "Pilgrim"
I think I need to invest in at least one good tablecloth / linen book. Just to learn.
Didn't someone here talk about putting together a fabric sample/ ID chart?
Thanks again for all the input!