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jacquard tablecloth

What you should know about french tablecloths: oilcloth, jacquard, teflon treatment

Ok, there are so many different kind of tablecloths now out there that you are lost. I agree! me too some times! here are some of the main things you should know

OILCLOTH or coated tablecloths

Now, I can hear you: but are they real oilcloth? what do you mean by "no need to wash" and what if I want to wash it? and what about wine stain or ketchup stain? and can I leave it outside?

ok, ok. UNE MINUTE. let's clear that up

is it real oilcloth?

NO!

I mean, if you are talking about those ugly vinyl or polyester tablecloths , well that's not it. you won't find any on this website. sorry about that. so please do not return my oilcloth with the excuse it is not a "real" one because i will be EN COLERE (meaning mad).

so why do you call it "oilcloth"?

well because the real name is 'coated tablecoth' but the first time I said "coated" to my customers in my store, they looked at me and had no idea what i was talking about. so i said "well you know, like oilcloth' then, they seemed releved with an "I see" in their eyes.

so what is it and how does that work?

it is a regular tablecloth, 100% cotton, but with a coating on it with scotchguard. so you really can't see it is coated, you can feel it though. but it really looks wonderful. you just take a wet sponge and wipe it off. of course, don't wait a week before cleaning it. you are supposed to it at least at the end of the meal.

and wine, ketchup...? the same! ok, wine is never a great think to stain with. and the best is to avoid spilling wine. but if that happens, just throw the oicloth in the washing machine - yes you can - and wash it at warm temperature - yes you can -. that should take care of it .

can I put it in the dryer?

well, yes you can actually. although I wouldn't really recommend it and if you do so, avoid high heat and don't overdry. I would just hang it. if you want a perfect look, iron it on the reverse side, meaning on the cotton part of it.

Can I leave it outside?

NO. meaning, if it is going to rain on it, NO. it will mold after a while because remember, it is cotton. but in the sun, during the day, no problem. and the colors won't fade.

Are they really that great?

YES. VRAIMENT. you will love it. you will want several of them. your friends are going to compliment you, BREF, you,ve got to get one. and the best are mine, BIEN SUR, you can order them at http://sophiedepons.com/store/oilcloth.html

THE BASIC FRENCH TABLECLOTH:

The most common one that you will find in any good french markets is the tablecoth made in 100% cotton.

Do I have to wash it?

Of course you do! do you have to iron it? of course you do!!

and that is the problem. you buy a beautiful french tablecloth with nice provence prints, you use it once, you stain it, you wash it, you dry it and when you take it out from the dryer? ZUT! (for translation of any french words you don't know, please visit our forum of translation english-french/french-english for free translations!)

what you have in hand is a wrinkled, possibly color-faded tablecloth. You try to iron it but you can't really get rid of these wrinkles, so full of anger, you throw it in a closet and you never use it again.

BON. don't go so fast. here are some hints to help you:

1. wash it at warm temperature (not cold, no no) with a friendly laundry soap (no bleach,)

2. DOUCEMENT with the dryer: the dryer is never great for cotton stuff. so be gentle with it. do not over dry. low heat.

3. iron? well, here there is no miracle. if you like something perfect, you will have to do it. if you accept a more "natural" look, it should be OK to forget about it.

4. dry cleaner? why not. no hassle. but you will not control how your french tablecloth is treated but hey! if you can afford the dry cleaner each time you use your tablecloth, you can afford buying new ones every year right? so you don't really care about color-fading...

5. I have another great solution: how about tablecloths you don't need to wash? you got it. Oilcloths.

Jacquard tablecloths

Sophie De Pons Boutique * sdepons@gmail.com

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