1. What is the difference between Acrylic and Teflon coating for tablecloths?
-Acrylic forms a thicker layer on the fabric surface so you can wipe it down with a sponge kind of similar to old-fashioned oilcloth, but with much better drape and appearance (the fabric is less thick than oilcloth and the coating is not noticeable to the eye). An acrylic coating makes fabric suitable for using outside. If you have kids, you will love an acrylic-coated tablecloth. It is incredibly easy to maintain — just wipe any spill with a sponge, even if it has already had time to dry. (If you spill oil or red wine, you should wipe it off immediately or it might leave a slight mark.)
- Teflon is another fabric treatment that makes liquids bead up before they soak into the cloth, similar to Scotchgard™. It does not form a thick layer on the fabric — in fact, you cannot feel it at all. The only way to tell if fabric was treated with Teflon is to drop water on it and watch it bead! (Teflon is a registered trademark of Dupont.) No worries if someone spills a drink — just blot it with a napkin.
2. How do I launder my coated tablecloths?
- If it’s acrylic-coated, you can machine-wash and line-dry. You don’t have to launder these very often, though, because they wipe down so easily. It is okay to iron them on the reverse side, but in our experience, you won’t have to. The coating makes wrinkles and creases fall out on their own. Please machine wash cold.
Teflon-coated tablecloths can be machine-washed, line-dried, and ironed as any other untreated tablecloth. Can be machine-washed cold, line-dried or tumble-dried no heat, and ironed on the reverse side.
3. What is the difference between printed, damask, and jacquard tablecloths?
- A printed tablecloth has the design printed on top of the fabric. The underside of the cloth will be plain. Printed designs range from traditional Provencal motifs in bright colors to hand-block printed vintage designs.
- In a damask and jacquard tablecloth, the design is woven into the fabric. The threads (or yarns) are dyed before being woven, and the weaving itself is what forms the design. If you turn over a damask tablecloth, you will see the same design in reverse. These tablecloths cost more because they require more time, energy, and labor to produce. They also have a silky feel and tend to hold up very well and last a very long time. Damask designs are traditional, formal, and usually solid color. Jacquard designs typically use many vivid colors.
4. What does "placé" mean?
- Placé (translating to placed in English) refers to tablecloths that have the pattern printed in the same shape as the tablecloth. The most common placés are the round tablecloths on which the design is printed in a circle, and 60" linear pattern in a rectangle.
5. What does the term “Allover” mean?
- Allover fabric is a patterned fabric in Provencal or French country style and features only one small design repeated all over. The allover fabric is typically used for napkins, back of the placemats, or any coordinated accents.
6. The tag on my fabric item has symbols for washing instructions. What do they mean?
- The American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) developed these symbols to be used internationally for textile care instructions so we don’t have to depend on verbal translations. For a chart that defines these symbols, see the ASTM Guide for Care Symbols for Care Instructions on Textile Products.
7. What size tablecloth do I need?
Add 8” to 14” to the length and width (diameter for a round table). Then choose the closest size from our selection. For example, a typical 3’ x 6’ table (36” x 72”) works great with a 63” x 98” tablecloth, giving you a 13” drop in the length and a 13.5” drop in the width. Please note that all (jacquard) tablecloths shrink a small amount the first time they are washed due to the “living material” nature of woven cotton. Expect about 2% shrinkage; you may want to take this into consideration when selecting the perfect size.
8. What is Jacquard-woven?
- In a Jacquard-woven French tablecloth, the design is woven directly into the fabric. Our Jacquard tablecloths are treated (not coated) with a teflon based product that penetrates the fibers of the cotton and makes liquids "bead up" on them. Jacquard tablecloths are warm and soft and elegant and are typically used on dining room tables.
9. What is a Printed Tablecloth?
- In a printed french tablecloth, the design is printed onto the fabric. The acrylic coated tablecloths are stain-resistant and "wipeable" (easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth). Acrylic-coated tablecloths are bright and practical and perfect for everyday use on kitchen, deck, or patio tables.
