Shopping for Table Linens
Five Etsy search terms to consider.
We’re talking table linens today, for reasons I assume are obvious but just in case: it’s mid-June! The beginning of humanity’s most extroverted season, when the outfit your dinner party table is wearing can be just as fun to think about as the one you’re wearing yourself! An incredible time to be alive and able to drink glasses of chilled orange wine because you’re not using your body to sustain a small human life for the first time in year and a half! (Just me?) Below are five Etsy search terms to consider exploring, along with a few shopping picks I’ve identified in each category.
“Block Print”
A technique using engraved wooden blocks to create intricate patterns, block printing is one of the oldest methods of textile design and still practiced widely today. I have such a soft spot for it.
“Vintage Hand Embroidered”
A useful keyword phrase for narrowing your search to a subset of special, slightly quirky secondhand linens that feel resolutely one-of-a-kind. I love imagining the original maker who sat down and took the time to stitch a tiny windmill.
“Suzani”
Suzanis are a type of intricately embroidered textile traditionally made across Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries (the word "suzani" comes from the Persian word "suzan," which means needle). They’re typically made from cotton or silk and decorated with detailed, colorful patterns. I’ve seen them used in a variety of contexts — in addition to tablecloths, they also make for a beautiful wall hanging or bed cover.
“Mid-Century Modern”
This one’s going to lead you to some deliciously retro finds, characterized by bold patterns and the occasional dash of kitschy-chic.
“Vintage Cutwork”
This is a needlework technique that involves cutting out sections of fabric to create designs and then embellishing or defining the cut areas with embroidery stitches. It dates back to the Renaissance period in Europe, where it was used to decorate church linens and garments. There’s something about it that conjures the cozy ambiance of a grandmother's kitchen or a hole-in-the-wall restaurant — an intimate, carefully considered kind of charm.
May the number of mosquito bites you acquire while dining al fresco never outpace the number of times you think to yourself, “it really doesn’t get much better than this.” Happy hosting!!!!!!!
xo Harling
You're the mvp when it comes to sourcing fun stuff! Love the block print