McFaddin-Ward House lecture series handout on linens used at table, ca1906-1950.

1. At Table: Looking at Linens
St Patrick’s Guild, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
April 28, 2008
Ware Petznick, Curator McFaddin-Ward House
AT TABLE: Looking at Linens
Sears 1908 catalog
Points to remember
1. Heirlooms/Passed down through women/trousseau
2. Staff would care for linens and mistress of house
3. Keep linen clean! Avoid getting dirty so can use again not launder
a. Silent butler or crumber
b. Knife rests
c. Carving cloths
d. Napkin rings
4. Multiple types of linens for table use – multiple tables NEVER completely
bare (until ca. 1950)
5. Damask solid cloths must have silence cloth
6. 1900s DAMASK went to floor, filet lace, drawnwork, fringe table-covers
7. 1910s DAMASK still for formal dinner, drawnwork (luncheon lace and doily)
8. 1920s DAMASK and LACE now ok for formal dinner, color starts to appear,
organdy
9. 1930s DAMASK and LACE ok for formal dinner, placemats
10.1940s CO