Linen tea towels have been a staple for the European kitchen since the 18^th century.  Emerging from the posh ladies of England it was used to simply handle and keep one’s tea pot warm for guests. A Tea Towel has continued today but now added as a means of expression.   Today Tea towels are both functional and an opportunity to express oneself.  Although at their beginning they have always indirectly conveyed a sense of status.  Today’s Tea towel will often literally carry a direct message.   It has become the kitchen’s canvas, tasked with conveying a multitude of messages.  With the current shift to arts in the kitchen it is important to maintain its fundamental purpose in a very functional place.   By name a tea towel is married to its function within that kitchen.   Tasked with entertaining and the following cleanup, the tea towel is the workhorse of meal preparation. 

It is precisely because of all these demands on this simple cloth that it originated from linen and performs best as linen.   Linen by nature functions superbly as a textile.  It has so many inherent properties that make it best suited for the large majority of textile uses.  It’s tensile strength, resistance to bacteria growth, water absorption rate and many other qualities that allow it to perform fantastically as a textile.

Water Absorption

Water absorption is a primary job of a linen Tea towel.  In comparison, linen dries by absorption whereas cotton dries more by surface attraction; that is the reason why cotton towels are generally made in a terry-looped weave, in order to afford a larger drying surface.  Since a cotton towel needs terry loops this forces a compromise.  The majority of today’s tea towels hold a graphic, cotton towels must choose between water absorption rate or graphic quality.  Linen doesn’t need to compromise in either area to accomplish both these functions.  A linen tea towel can have a smooth uninterrupted surface for artwork while not skipping out on wet cleanups.

Mildew Resistant

With all the exposure to water it is imperative that a tea towel has the ability to ward off bacterial growth.  Linen can accomplish this in two ways.  When we talked about water absorption rate earlier in this article and how this plays a role in wet cleanups, it also contributes to its ability to release that water back into the atmosphere.  This allows a linen tea towel to dry at a much faster rate.  Since bacteria are moisture thriving entities the faster a textile can dry will greatly reduce the ability for bacteria to grow in that textile.  This is not a linen tea towel’s only defense against nasty microbials.  Linen naturally resists bacterial growth because of its natural composition.   When the plant naturally breaks down the center strands remain.  Modern flax linen fiber processing still uses this method to separate the flax fiber. These are the same fibers bacteria has a difficult time breaking down.   Unlike cotton and other textile fibers, Linen is naturally antibacterial.

Tensile Strength

Water and bacteria speed up the breakdown of a natural woven textile.  Along with its ability for fast drying and bacterial resistance, the linen in a linen tea towel has a longer staple compared to cotton. Flax fibers are from 12-24 inches in length whereas cotton fibers are 1-2 inches in length.  This translates into a much stronger thread since yarns are made from spinning the fibrous material together to produce and even thread.  If the thread is weak the fabric will be weak if the thread is strong so will the cloth.  A linen tea towel will outlast and age better than a cotton towel due to the higher tensile strength of its yarns.

In today’s home textile market, there is a flood of “Tea Towel” options.  Some options wear the name “tea towel” a little falsely but we hope we have given insight to the origin and intent of the tea towel.  Whether the towel leans more towards a beautiful artwork or towards heavy cleanup, a Linen Tea Towel should cover both demands with grace.

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The flowers, the chocolate, and the dinner out.  Of course, having lived through forty-nine Valentine’s Days with my hubby, I am happy waiting until February 15^th.  The very same chocolates are reduced fifty percent, the dinner out is not rushed, the waiters are not in a frenzy, and the flowers are still perky.

So, to make Valentine’s Day dinner easy breezy I defrost a delicious pot pie. Warm it up and serve with a nice salad.  And maybe cupid will do the dishes.  

And to make cupid’s job easier, our waffle weave towels are generously sized at 20”x30”.  In 100% cotton, these towels are super absorbent, and the waffle weave scoops up spills.  You can take advantage of this temporary great low price. Available in green or red.  

Or browse all things pink, red and lovely for a colorful Valentine’s Day or special occasion

And this is how to make any day feel like Valentine’s Day:

Make a linen lavender relaxation pillow.  I used a lacy handkerchief. You can embroider or embellish the hankie prior to sewing.   First, fold it into thirds.  Then, sew it on three sides, like the letter U.  Next, leave the top open and add in the lavender. Finish by sewing the top closed.  You can either use all lavender or a mixture of cotton and lavender.

Lavender Relaxation Pillow

Treat yourself to lavender’s relaxing scent.  Breath in, let the lavender aroma soothe you.  Lie down in a quiet place every day for a few minutes and give yourself the gift of relaxation.

View an assortment of lace handkerchiefs from our sister site at Flax & Thimble.

So, whether you get the biggest or smallest bouquet, or none at all, what matters is the size of your sweetie’s heart.

Cupid has got his arrow pointed at you.  You decide whether you want to duck or not.

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of The Larmor Clan & the entire Ulster Linen staff

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Choose linen.

Instead, this holiday season to create something lovely and lasting using fine linen products for the adults who are special to you. When embellishing linen, go straight to Ulster Linen.

Your handiwork deserves the best fabric for your best artistry, and Ulster Linen has sourced the finest European linen for over one hundred years.

Add a touch of elegance by monogramming handkerchiefs, napkins, cocktail napkins, or hand towels and make them exquisite. Choose the monogram font style that best fits the recipient’s personality. Do they like metro chic or bygone days glamour?

A few tips before you start…

Pre-wash
Always prewash, prior to monogramming to prevent pulling or buckling of the monogram, which is caused by fabric shrinkage.

Use white or pale threads
When embellishing white on white, pale pinks, pale blues, pale greens and light yellows threads make for a subtle touch. This creates a more understated and elegant look.

Use strong, colored thread
Embellishing with red, blue, or green thread on white creates a bold look.
Remember your color wheel from art class? Opposite colors will jump out. Red will pop on something blue or green, and vice versa.

Classic black and white
Try white thread on a black backdrop. The results are stunning.

Looking for an easier project?

Try making towels from our toweling by the yard. Give two or three tied together with twine, and a few cinnamon sticks in the bow. We have made matching placemats and napkins and a runner for a cute country look. With a red, green, or blue band to choose from, why not make a runner, towels, napkins, or valance mixing and matching colors. I could just go on and on. Pre-sewn sides mean all that is left is to sew the top and bottom hems.

A funny poem for all who toil as elves and deliver like reindeer:

“Help Wanted”

Santa needs new reindeer.
The first bunch has grown old.
Dasher has arthritis;
Comet hates the cold.
Prancer’s sick of staring
at Dancer’s big behind.
Cupid married Blitzen
and Donder lost his mind.
Dancer’s mad at Vixen
for stepping on his toes.
Vixen’s being thrown out—
she laughed at Rudolph’s nose.
If you are a reindeer
we hope you will apply.
There is just one tricky part:
You must know how to fly.

-Timothy Tocher

Tie it up, put a bow on it and call it a wrap!

Have a Happy & Merry time getting creative,
The Larmor Clan & the entire Ulster Linen staff

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Use your best everything…

Sure, it’s work, but let the young and old feel they are worth the very best: best dining ware, best silverware, and best tablecloth. Follow these Thanksgiving tabletop setting tips to enhance your time together. Almost everything will come out in the wash, except red wine. 

Consider these white wines to pair with Thanksgiving dinner:

• Chardonnay
• Dry Riesling
• Zinfandel
• Champagne…make it truly a festive celebration

Delegate, delegate, delegate…

We are a huge family and everyone, young or old, pitches in. I send out a spread sheet with the usual Thanksgiving menu and what needs to be done, before Thanksgiving Day, during the meal and clean-up. This is the one time I get to be the commander-in-chief. The younger ones like making place cards, putting the silverware out and then counting the silverware before the garbage goes out. Each family brings their contribution in either an oven proof platter or plate ready to go on the table. It’s a big job so and the more people helping the easier it is, and everyone is happy.  No one likes a snappish and overly tired hostess.

Prepare the week before…

• Iron the tablecloth and napkins.
• Check, clean and count your silverware and dishes to make sure you have enough.
• If you are baking pies or bread, these all freeze well if wrapped securely.
• If you like making your own cranberry sauce, prepare it and freeze it in advance.

The week of Thanksgiving….

• Check your recipes and make a list of everything you need, including spices.
• Start making ice and remember to buy lemons and limes.

A day or two ahead and the night before…

• Look for the ice bucket and platters you will be using.
• Set the table Wednesday night.
• Make hot apple cider

Recipe for Hot Apple Cider

Combine apple juice, water, honey, and spices; bring to a boil; simmer 30 minutes. Let stand overnight, strain.  Add citrus to spiced apple drink, reheat but don’t boil.  Makes about one gallon.

As a friend has said, “people who cook are just too lazy to order in.”

 Don’t just make it happen, do it beautifully.

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