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| French Linens |
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Sheets were not monogrammed in the 18th century. The cross-stitched marking on this coarsely woven hunt cloth was used to keep the set together.
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This finely woven sheet is from Burgundy, circa 1890.
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Linen threads are spun from the cellulose of the stalk, which conducts water,
explaining why the resulting cloth is so highly absorbent. Once the flax is
harvested, it is soaked and beaten to separate the woody bark from the interior
fibers, which are combed and spun into thread.
This process was mastered by the Huguenots. When they fled France in the 17th
century to escape religious persecution, the French Protestants' talent for
weaving was disseminated throughout Europe. Bryce Reveley, who specializes in antique textiles at Gentle Arts in New Orleans,
says that if the antique fabrics you're drawn to have made it this far and are
still in good condition, they will last for years to come. "Linen that was loomed
in France at that time was made from the best flax in the world," says Reveley.
"Unfortunately, flax no longer grows as tall today because of pollution, so
the thread can't be as finely spun."
| COMING CLEAN |
| Don't be afraid to use your linens. "They aren't
difficult to take care of," says textiles specialist Bryce Reveley.
"Just don't use bleach. Instead, wash them on the gentle cycle with
soap flakes. Avoid the dryer." |
| Reveley also suggests air-drying laundered napkins
by spreading them on a counter or smooth surface and pressing them flat.
Place kitchen glasses on the four corners to keep them in place. "The
smoother you get them with your hands, the less likely you are to have to
iron them. If ironing is necessary, use a low setting and no steam." |
| For storing large pieces, such as sheets or tablecloths,
Gay Wirth of Wirthmore Antiques in New Orleans suggests a time-worn method:
folding them in half numerous times and hanging them in a dry place. |
| WHAT TO LOOK FOR |
| Condition your eye. Check hems for frays. Open
the cloth and hold it up to the light, noting repairs. If evaluating a set,
examine each piece. The closer you get to the bottom of the stack, Reveley
says, the more likely you are to find stains. |
| Get the red out. If an item was stained before
you purchased it, the stain probably won't come out. But if a guest spills
red wine on your antique linen tomorrow, don't throw in the towel -- literally.
Pat the stain with lemon and salt, or soak the cloth for a few days in a
bucket of water with mild soap, suggests Wirth. Rinse gently without wringing,
pressing to expel the water. Lay the cloth over a bush or grass and let
the sun's rays naturally bleach it. Repeat the process as necessary. |
| Know what you're buying. Sets sell for more
than single items. A set of 24 napkins can go for $650. Add a matching tablecloth
and the price can leap to $1,500. A torchon, the drying towel used for glassware
and dishes, can fetch around $28. Bear in mind that antique napkins were
larger to accommodate the full skirts of the 1800s. Similarly, antique sheets,
which sell for $50 to $1,200, don't necessarily fit today's beds. |
RESOURCES: All linens from Wirthmore Antiques (R), 3727 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70115, 504/269-0660.
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