Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Collecting: Vintage Tablecloths

As our wacky tacky signature t-shirt states, "We dig old stuff" - particularly old stuff that is attractive and has a history of use.  It only makes sense then that I have an affinity for vintage tablecloths.  I love the colors, the prints, and even the spots/stains that chronicle the life of each piece.

We are one of those weird families that views a bare table as an abomination - a missed opportunity if ever there was one; our dining room table is perpetually set for a dinner party that has yet to happen.  We grew up entertaining often but rarely sat down to a formal dinner around the dining table.  That tradition carried with me wherever I moved, including my first, tiny, studio apartment (on the second floor of an 1879 farmhouse).

Not too thrilling or too wacky tacky, but proof that
even when you live alone, it's still a party of four.

As the tablescape changes often, it is nice to have a stock of supplies to give the table a quick wacky tacky makeover.  The quickest way to a brand new table comes from my modest collection of vintage tablecloths.  I am always reticent to post my collections because I lack an expert's knowledge on any subject; I become all kinds of self-conscious knowing that there are people out there with real collections that could easily put mine to shame.  Anxiety aside, here are my tablecloths.

PATRIOTIC

Although they don't subscribe to traditional themes like flags, eagles, and fireworks, the generally-patriotic color scheme of these cloths makes them ideal for use during the Memorial Day, 4th of July, Veteran's Day and pretty much any day in between.



MEXICAN

These border prints probably border on the politically incorrect but I love them.  Living so close to the gateway between our two countries, I'm surprised I haven't found more of these out in the wild.

Orange, brown, and green - a wacky tacky
color combo if ever there was one.


FLORAL



These two are printed on crisp, Irish linen.

Among the floral bouquets, the cloth on the right has a little nest full of robin's eggs.
Can you spot it?


TROPICAL/EXOTIC

These cloths get a lot of use during the summer months.  While it is hard to choose a favorite, this blue and orange, tropical tablecloth that I picked at a shop not too far from the Cabazon Dinosaurs, really makes me happy.  I think my next hypothetical business will be textile design and printing based on vintage examples.


The cactus print on the right has definitely seen better days but I really
 love the washed-out overprinting and brushstroke cactus flowers.

If you've been following us for a while, you
might recognize this one (another favorite).

We used it to set a tiki-style table for our
 Pineapple Upside Down Meatloaf

HOLIDAY

It seems Christmas cloths are the hardest to find because they are so collectible (read: expensive).  If you don't know by now, I only buy things on the CHEAP, so it seems my options are limited to the occasional swap meet score or hand-me-down.

The floral number might not be a "Christmas" print but the red and 
green (set off by chartreuse) certainly puts me in the holiday mood.


MISCELLANEOUS

Oh sure, the printed cloths are my favorite but I won't shy away from a hand-embroidered or cross-stitched example of tabletop finery.  It seems weird but I like seeing the blue lines of the iron-transfer pattern behind the stitching; it makes me think of the person threading the embroidery floss through her needle and the hours and hours of work she had ahead of her.  Oh, and how I would never have the patience or attention span to accomplish so time-consuming and labor-intensive.


So how do you dress your table?  Do you collect vintage tablecloths, place settings, or dinnerware?  Are you focused on a certain style?  I am not at all persnickety when it comes to focused collecting or caring too much about certain styles, values, etc.  I just buy what is inexpensive because to borrow a phrase from our pals at My Baby Jo, "A table's gotta have options."


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

20 comments:

  1. JADITE! Oh, there are tablecloths in this post? Seriously, I love these. Especially the cactus ones--Mexican or cactus themes are my favorites. You have an awesome collection!

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    1. Thank you! Oh, did I forget to mention that I collect jadite too...that collection is fairly modest and only getting "modester" with the way prices are going. I do love it and will pick up anything I can find that is reasonably priced.

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  2. I always love seeing the "arrangement of the week" when I visit. You should be a professional table setter...who provides tablecloths. Love it! BTW you might have a slight tablecloth hoarding problem.

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    1. Thanks pal! If you could get me jobs as a professional table setter, I would love to do it. I always see the entries at the fair and think that mine would be serious blue ribbon material. Hahahahaha!!!

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  3. Gosh that's a great collection! I think I have maybe 10 table cloths total. The Formica table i have has a pretty neat design on it that i hate to cover up, but for fun or fancy occasions I have a few treasured "checkered" patterns I pull out! I found a wild bohemian table cloth I'll be using for one of our out door parties later this summer!

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    1. None of our tables have tops that are worth leaving naked....hahahaha!!! Truth be told, it is less about the table and more about the beauty of the prints. I love 'em!

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  4. I've stopped buying table cloths because I'm chicken to use mine and with so little storage space, I can't justify buying more just to have them. Otherwise, I'd troll eBay and say I want this one, and this one, and this one, like I used to do with the old Spiegal Christmas toy catalog.

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    1. They are addictive! I have curbed my habit recently but always keep my eyes open for cheap ones. In my mind I tell myself that I'm not afraid to use them but I do get a little scared when there is red punch (or something equally scary) anywhere around them.

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  5. Those are some seriously awesome tablecloths! Those printssssss!!!!! I want you to turn each and every one of them into a fabulous dress/playsuit/ensemble and give them to ME and not Mary! :P

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    1. I couldn't bring myself to cut into them BUT once I get the fabric printing scheme underway, we'll talk!

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  6. What a wonderful collection (it's not the size but how well it's curated)! I love those old prints -- so fun.

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    1. Thanks Peter! That makes me feel better about my little collection. I wish I could find yards and yards of border prints in similar styles; that would be enough inspiration for me to keep sewing for a long time.

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  7. I collect tablecloths as well, but don't have any of the Mexican prints- they just don't seem that common around here on the East Coast (whereas Holiday tablecloths are a dime a dozen). Love the tropicals- wish I had more of those!

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    1. Pardon me while I book my ticket to the East Coast. I love holiday EVERYTHING but it is especially expensive in our area. My real trouble is that I love too many things!

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  8. Oh Chris! You are always surprising me!!!
    Lovely collection!!!!
    I have some vintage table clothes but here in Europe, best design was for small kitchen table and we only have large tables...

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    1. Just when I think I'm becoming predictable, I go and surprise you! I'm glad that I still have it in me. For a large table, I will put a large white cloth over the table and then just use the small, square vintage cloth as a topper in the middle (at an angle).

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  9. Oh dear, you have found me out and exposed my obsession...I have been collecting vintage tablecloths for over 20 years and have about 500-600. Back in 2001 I helped found a club online called The Vintage Tablecloth Lover's Club, which is still very active and lots of fun! By the way, your Christmas one is called "Jack In the Box Santa" and is VERY desirable among tablecloth collectors!! You also have some lovely prints that I have never seen! The Mexican one in orange and green is probably 1930s judging by the colors. Thank you for sharing your pretties!! Jenny

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    1. Oh boy, I would love to see your collection!!! Honestly, I've never seen a vintage cloth that I don't like. I'm glad to get a little more information on my pieces. THANKS!!!

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  10. beautiful collection! i have a few vintage table clothes. i only get them out RIGHT before we eat though. no matter what i do the cats LOVE laying on the table, especially with a table cloth and what is more embarrassing than brushing cat hair off the table when your guests sit down!
    i feel the same way about lots of my collections too! i'm not the best and telling what year something might be from, and i'm not good with labels/makers, i just collect stuff i like.

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    1. Thanks Rae!!! I'm pretty good at identifying an era, but any additional information/history is beyond me. I really am not an expert on any subject; I'm too lazy to do all of the research, work, etc. Every time I think about it Peggy Lee's "I Know a Little Bit About a lot of Things" plays in my head. I think that is the best way to collect - just get what you like/what makes you happy.

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