# Tablecloth > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Tablecloth > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Tablecloth.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tablecloth > Source revision: 1322620548 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Cloth used to cover a table Traditional [Romanian](/source/Romanians) tablecloth made in [Maramureș](/source/Maramure%C8%99) Cover for a square table, [Qing dynasty](/source/Qing_dynasty), [Qianlong period](/source/Qianlong_Emperor), 1736–1795, China. Cut and voided silk [velvet](/source/Velvet). Detail of [crochet](/source/Crochet) tablecloth A **tablecloth** is a [cloth](/source/Textile) used to cover a [table](/source/Table_(furniture)). Some are mainly ornamental coverings, which may also help protect the table from scratches and stains. Other tablecloths are designed to be spread on a dining table before laying out [tableware](/source/Tableware) and food. Some tablecloths are designed as part of an overall [table setting](/source/Table_setting), with coordinating [napkins](/source/Napkins), [placemats](/source/Placemat), or other decorative pieces. Special kinds of tablecloth include "runners" which overhang the table at two ends only and "table protectors" which provide a padded layer under a normal tablecloth. ## Shapes and sizes The most common shapes for tablecloths are round, square, oval, and oblong, or rectangular, corresponding to the most common table shapes. Tablecloths usually have an overhang, referred to as the "drop." The drop is generally 6 to 15 inches (15 to 38 cm) on each side of the table, with a shorter drop for casual dining and a longer drop for more formal occasions.[1] Sometimes a floor-length cloth is used. Custom-made tablecloths are also available, and some people choose to make their own. ## Fabrics and care Today, dining tablecloths are typically made of [Linen](/source/Linen), [cotton](/source/Cotton), a [poly](/source/Polyester)-cotton blend, or a [PVC](/source/PVC)-coated material that can be wiped clean, but they can be made of almost any material, including delicate fabrics like [embroidered](/source/Embroider) [silk](/source/Silk). Ease of laundering is an important consideration for tablecloths used for dining, as they are easily soiled. ## History The oldest known reference to tablecloth dates back to around 100 AD, when it was mentioned by ancient Latin Spanish poet [Martial](/source/Martial).[2] In many European cultures a white, or mainly white, tablecloth used to be the standard covering for a dinner table. In the later medieval period, spreading a high quality white [linen](/source/Linen) or cotton cloth on the table was an important part of preparing for a feast in a wealthy household. Over time, the custom of arranging tableware on a cloth became common for most social classes except the very poorest.[3] As eating habits changed in the 20th century, a much greater range of table-setting styles developed. Some formal dinners still use white tablecloths, often with a [damask weave](/source/Damask#Modern_uses), but other colours and patterns are also common. Aqua blue and white plaid cotton tablecloth on an outdoor table ## Special cases [Perugia](/source/Perugia) tablecloths and napkins have been made since medieval times. These cloths are white with characteristic woven blue stripes and patterns. This style is also associated with [church linen](/source/Altar_cloth).[4] [Victorian](/source/Victorian_decorative_arts) interiors were full of thick, fringed draperies in deep colours, including tablecloths reaching the floor.[5] ## Cultural references A video of the trick being performed in [slow motion](/source/Slow_motion) A popular "[magic trick](/source/Magic_trick)" involves pulling a loaded tablecloth away from a table but leaving the plates behind. This trick relies on [inertia](/source/Inertia). It is known as a tablecloth pull or a tablecloth yank.[6] ## See also - [Cloche](/source/Cloche_(tableware)) - [Coaster](/source/Beverage_coaster) - [Crumber](/source/Crumber) - [Doily](/source/Doily) - [Placemat](/source/Placemat) - [Sufra](/source/Sufra) - [Silence cloth](/source/Silence_cloth) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Von Drachenfels, Suzanne (8 Nov 2000). *The Art of the Table: A Complete Guide to Table Setting, Table Manners, and Tableware*. Simon and Schuster. p. 337. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Knisely, Tom (2017-04-30). ["History of Table Coverings"](https://books.google.com/books?id=o6h1DgAAQBAJ&dq=tablecloth+Martial&pg=PA3). *Handwoven Table Linens: 27 Fabulous Projects From a Master Weaver*. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 3–4. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-8117-6542-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8117-6542-8). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["The Tablecloth In History"](https://yourtablecloth.blog/2013/03/20/the-tablecloth-in-history/). *Your Tablecloth*. 20 March 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Towel V&A Search the Collections"](https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O15355/towel/). *collections.vam.ac.uk*. Retrieved 2 October 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Bott and Clephane, Our Mothers, Gollancz 1932, p60 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Myint Swe Khine (3 Sep 2015). *Science Education in East Asia: Pedagogical Innovations and Research-informed Practices*. Springer. p. 108. ## External links - [Art portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Art) - [Clothing portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Clothing) Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Tablecloths](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Tablecloths). v t e Meals Common meals Suhur Breakfast Second breakfast Elevenses Coffee break Brunch Lunch Tea Merienda Tiffin Dinner Supper Iftar Siu yeh Café com mistura Components and courses Apéritif and digestif Hors d'oeuvre Amuse-bouche Soup Entrée Roast Main course Salad Side dish Entremets Dessert Savoury Meal replacement Snack Table service Buffet smörgåsbord Conveyor belt sushi Dish Finger food Full-course dinner Platter Rodízio Service à la française Service à la russe Silver service Small plates Table reservation Presentation Al fresco Dining room Eating utensils Food presentation Garnish Nyotaimori Pièce montée Serving size Table setting Tablecloth Tableware Dining Dress code Table manners Eating utensil etiquette Social class differences Toast Waiting staff Regional styles Anju Antipasto Cicchetti Banchan / Korean table d'hôte Bandeja paisa Dastarkhān Dim sum / Yum cha Fika Izakaya / Sakana Kaiseki Meat and three Meze Okazuya Omakase Plate lunch Pu pu platter Rice and three Rijsttafel Sadhya Smörgåsbord Tapas Thali Tiffin Zakuski Packed Airline meal Bento Convenience food Dosirak Ekiben Emergency rations Fast food Field ration Frozen meal Instant breakfast Jūbako Ninja diet Packed lunch Space food Take-out Menus and meal deals À la carte Blue-plate special Combination meal Free lunch Free refill Happy hour Kids' meal Menú del día School meal Suspended meal Table d'hôte Tasting menu / Degustation Value menu Communal meals Banquet State banquet Barbecue Commercium Dining in Iftar Picnic Potluck Seder Sittning Soup kitchen Supra Tableround Tea party Catering and food delivery Food delivery Online food ordering Virtual restaurant Places to eat Café Cafeteria Dining room Food truck Inn Kitchen Mess Picnic table Restaurant Soup kitchen Street food Tavern Traiteur Related Coffee culture Cook Cookbook Cooking Chef Culinary arts Cuisine outline Drink Eating Food Lists of food and beverage topics Meal preparation Outline of food preparation Salumeria Tea culture Category Commons Authority control databases International GND National United States France BnF data Czech Republic Israel --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Tablecloth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tablecloth) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tablecloth?action=history)). 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