Featured Have a question about an Irish double damask tablecloth

Very pretty! Sorry I'm late to the party! Yes, they DID sell them "unhemmed" - late 1800's through maybe 1920's? My grandmother and great grand had a lot of them.

It seems to me that some had the complete design contained within x amount of inches; and others had just a running border - to which you could cut it off anywhere. The selvages were not generally hemmed. Sometimes they even sold them with the framed border AND x amount of napkins in the next length. Those would probably have to be hemmed on at least 3 sides - maybe four depending on where they lay in the fabric.

If you are going to use it, yes you would want to hem it and I'd definitely hem it before washing; else it would ravel. Whether or not you do it by hand or machine depends on your skills and preferences.

As for cutting it. I wouldn't IF it was a complete design. If it is just a running border and there was enough length for two; I suppose you could. But in my mind the value would be higher if in one length of tablecloth.

If you are going to sell... I'd sell as it is. As you say it is relatively clean and unused. If you were bent on washing before selling: I'd carefully remove the two labels and send them along with the fabric.

Have fun!
Cheerio Leslie

 

Thanks, blumz, that is very helpful! I don't think there are mill marks but I will check to be sure. There's not much age discoloration, a little bit but it's what I've seen before and I'm sure it will wash out to be bright white. The ones I own were that way. I've gotten a lot of bargains at auctions because people don't want Ivory, they want white, and the cloth really is white.

I have this thing for white damask tablecloths because that's what my mom used. When she downsized, I couldn't find them, so I figure my sister snatched them up. Which is fine, she has a daughter and I have a son, so they could be passed on.

 

@Northern Lights Lodge Napkins, you say? That would be too cool! After I blow dry my hair, I'll spread it out and see what I have. I guess not wanting to unfold it was a bad idea. I think it is a border design (which is how I found the unfinished ends). Oh now I can't wait but hair is drying as I type. I'll let you all know what I find.

 

My camera battery had to be recharged so I'm a little late. The design is confined to the length of the cloth. There's about 3" on each end to add a hem. I imagine a hem would only take about 1/4" or so. The Chrysanthemum pattern is in 2 oval rings - one around the outside and one further in, an inner oval pattern of Chrysanthemums. The flowers are big and showy. So I plan to list it as is. I did my best on photos, but my dining room table is full of ebay items so I had to put it on the large coffee table in the family room. Wish me luck.

Thanks to everyone for your help. I learned a lot today.

 

Well, that's cool... it sounds like a pretty piece! I love those beautiful old damask pieces... the sheen on them is just glorious!
Good luck!
Leslie

 

Me too! I love them too much and have too many. I'm pleased that this one belongs to my friend, but it's kind of wrenching in a weird way to sell it. But we rarely entertain any more, just Christmas and even that is on hold this year.