People have always dreamed of some miracle that could brighten up life and feed them on the road. The life of ordinary people was very difficult, and food did not have much variety. So references to self-assembled tablecloths began to appear in fairy tales, which in any situation could help out and feed one’s fill.
Definition
And if the self-assembled tablecloth is just a fairy-tale character, then the concept itself has been known for quite a long time.
A tablecloth is a specially made woven product intended for setting the table. They were different: linen and silk, lace and embroidered.
History of the tablecloth
In past centuries, people took food more seriously than they do today. Eating was not just a way to get enough. Food was considered a gift from the Gods, which should be treated with reverence and respect. In every house, a prayer was always said before the start of the meal. Usually, before eating food, the Lord's Prayer was read.
Many pagan holidays were directly associated with sowing and harvesting.This attitude towards food was reflected in the table setting.
Even in Ancient Egypt, tables were covered with a special cloth. They had a highly developed production of fine cotton and linen fabrics. Based on these materials, they created tablecloths and clothes. They were decorated with embroidery and traditional patterns.
In Ancient Greece, the attitude towards the tablecloth was very respectful. Only slaves and poor people sat at uncovered tables.
The Persians and Romans had tablecloths embroidered with gold.
They appeared in Rus' much earlier than among Europeans. The tradition of covering the table came to us from Byzantium. Rus' was distinguished by the fact that every family and every home had a tablecloth. Be it the king's chambers or a peasant hut.
They were part of the bride's dowry. Table linen was very expensive, and it was ordered from craftswomen from monasteries. It was very difficult, painstaking, time-consuming work.
Signs
The special relationship was reflected in folk signs.
The most famous is an ancient sign. You need to clean up the crumbs before the guests leave. Otherwise, an unmarried girl, if there is one in the family, will never meet a groom. This is simply explained. In Rus', the tablecloth was removed immediately from the table after the meal was over.
In Russian traditions, the table was perceived as the palm of God. Hitting a table covered with a tablecloth with your hand was considered a great sin. This sign reflects a person’s attitude towards food, which was obtained through hard work.
The respectful attitude can also be seen in the saying “Good riddance.” By saying this parting word, people wanted the uneven, sometimes impassable road to become as smooth as a tablecloth laid on the table.
They were never repaired.They were used in everyday life until the last possible moment, and then they were not discarded, but burned.
Materials, sizes and colors
Today, this household item has already lost its significance, but has become an element of the interior.
The fabrics used in manufacturing are divided into three types:
Natural. This category includes fabrics made from cotton, linen, and jacquard. These materials are exquisite and chic and can serve as a decoration for every holiday table. They also have disadvantages: washed material shrinks, it needs to be ironed, and it is difficult to remove dirt. Such tablecloths are used only on special occasions.
Blended. These fabrics are obtained by mixing natural and synthetic fibers. Cotton fabrics coated with Teflon or acrylic resist water, stains and heat. They are easy to care for. It is worth wiping with a wet cloth. But these fabrics wear out quickly.
Artificial. This type includes fabrics made of polyester or vinyl. These materials do not wrinkle, dirt can be easily removed from them. They have a long service life. But they are afraid of temperature effects; you cannot place hot dishes or a candle on a table with such a tablecloth.
It is important to choose the right size. According to the rules of etiquette, the edges should be 15-20 centimeters. The edges should not fall below the chairs. If you have a table with dimensions of one and a half by one and a half meters, then it is better to choose a tablecloth of 2x2 meters.
For an extendable table you need to have two tablecloths, one small one for the folded state and a large one for the unfolded view of the table.
Any tablecloth is, first of all, a decorative element. Therefore, you need to choose the right colors.
Important! The color should be in harmony with the colors of the kitchen and the dishes that will be placed on it.The best solution would be to choose a plain material if the dishes have patterns, and vice versa.
Don't forget about the game of contrasts. You can take two different models, opposite in color and different sizes.
New style - double tablecloths
Recently, double tablecloths have come into fashion. They look very unusual. In them harmonizing or contrasting colors are used. The top tablecloth in such a set is called naperon, it always square in shape.
In the modern world, the reverent attitude towards food and tablecloths has been lost, but it has given them decorative functionality. The number of different models is so great that you can easily choose one for every taste and occasion.
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