Kitchen and table linens have been a timeless household staple since the Middle Ages. First used to catch spills and wipe hands, table linens are the precursor to napkins. During the Renaissance, servers began to offer guests a smaller cloth draped from their left arm between courses. These cloths eventually became a standard part of place settings, and napkins were born. Through the centuries, table linens became more elaborate, featuring intricate details or delicate hemstitches. Table linens were heirlooms frequently documented in family wills, passed down as a symbol of prosperity, longevity, and family bonds.
Today, dining linens dress tables in creative and personal ways. Adorn your Thanksgiving table with intricate embroidered table linens. Add a touch of old-world charm to your dinner party with lace table linens, or set an anniversary dinner for two with your wedding table linens. No matter the occasion, sellers on Etsy have linens that will take your meal from simple to splendid.