TABLECLOTHS OF ANOTHER ERA WILL DO MORE THAN GRACE YOUR MEAL;

In this age of drive-through windows at the local fast-food restaurants and a burger-in-hand as you commute, it's hard to imagine a time when sitting down for a meal meant first picking out a fresh tablecloth. But in the 1930s, '40s and '50s a well-dressed table always sported a colorful cover, usually printed with fruit or flowers. Today, those bright, cheerful, tablecloths are sought by collectors across the country, and they're getting harder to find.

Vintage tablecloths stir savory memories of family meals around the kitchen table. Made of durable fabrics, they are sturdy and, like most textiles, if you treat them well they will last a lifetime.

I remember a stack of the pretty printed squares in my grandmother's linen closet. Over the years, some were recycled into curtains, table runners and doll clothes. Now and then a tattered or stained cloth was cut into squares for a quilt top.

Vintage tablecloths were made to be used, and they were. Some bear the scars and wear-and-tear of years of use.

When you find a vintage tablecloth that is in poor condition, don't be scared away by spots, tears or stains. Less-than-perfect pieces, called "cutters," can be used for craft projects like making teddy bears, recovering the seats of kitchen chairs, or even clothing. If you're handy with a needle and thread, vintage table linens can be turned into dresses and hats for little girls, or used to make pretty cushions and pillows. They make guilt-free picnic cloths because the damage has already been done. You can toss them on the grass, or on the sand at the beach, and dine in style.

There are reproductions out there. Vintage tablecloths were usually 50 or 54 inches wide. Fabric used to make most vintage cloths is more substantial than many reproductions, and the colors have faded with time, but it is still easy to be fooled. Use the same caveat you would for any vintage find: If it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

There are a number of excellent reference materials available for learning more about collecting vintage tablecloths

I've collected vintage textiles, including tablecloths, for years. I look for them when I travel and I have to say that of all the places I've shopped, Spokane is one of the richest. I've found vintage tablecloths at garage sales, antique malls and thrift stores. I always look for a bargain, and I frequently find one.

So the next time you bring home a bag of burgers, slow down before you dive in. Take a minute to put a pretty and well-loved cloth - something you discovered on a treasure hunt - on the table, and turn fast-food into comfort food.

SIDEBARS:RESOURCES For more information about collecting vintage tablecloths check out these titles: Colorful Tablecloths 1930s- 1960s; Threads of the Past by Yvonne Barineau, Erin Henderson. Published 2004 by Schiffer Publishing. List price $29.95. Terrific Tablecloths from the '40s & '50s; Revised 2nd Edition, by Loretta Smith Fehling. Published 1998 by Schiffer Publishing. List price $29.95. Or see the Vintage Linen Library at www.gramasattic.net/ library.htmOUT OF TOWN The first annual Kootenai Kountry Antiques and Collectibles Show will be Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22, at the Memorial Center in Libby, Mont. Besides vendors selling antiques and collectibles, music and food will be available. Appraisers will answer questions about your treasures. For more information call 406- 293-9643.GET OUT OF THE HOUSECALENDAR There will be a real barn sale on Peone Prairie Friday and Saturday. Sandy Christensen and friends have filled her 120-year-old barn with wonderful antiques and items like kitchen collectibles, vintage light fixtures, antique furniture, framed artwork, vintage garden items and architectural pieces including old windows and hand-made stained-glass pieces. Homemade cookies and cold drinks will be available. Sale hours are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. Florence Boutwell, author of the Spokane Valley historical series, will be on hand to sell and autograph copies of her books. The Christensen barn is at 11210 N. Fairview Road. For more information, call 468-8947.NEXT WEEKENDTHE FARM CHICKS The Farm Chicks sale is coming up. Twice a year the little town of Fairfield revels in all the hoop-la surrounding the events. Next Saturday and Sunday, May 21 and 22, vendors selling antiques, collectibles and rustic items will fill the Fairfield Grange Hall, and spread out across the city park. There will be food, music and a farmers' market on both days. Show hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Admission is $5. Directions: Take the Argonne Exit (# 287) off I-90 and go south. Argonne becomes Dishman- Mica Road. Follow it to Highway 27, where you will turn right and drive south through the towns of Mica and Rockford to Fairfield. Look for signs. For more information, go to www.thefarmchicks.com.FLEA MARKET Saturday, May 21, the spring flea market will be at Covenant United Methodist Church, 15515 N. Gleneden Drive. Vendors will fill the parking lot with booths full of household items and collectibles. Directions: Take Highway 395 north to the Wandemere Exit. Follow Wandemere Road north to North Gleneden. Follow signs.EVERYBODY'S BAZAAR AND YARD SALE With gas more than $2 a gallon, you can get your garage-sale fix and save money by hitting bazaar and yard sales held under one roof. This giant event will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, May 21, at the Spokane Fair and Expo Center, 404 N. Havana St.

For more information online go to www.spokesmanreview.com/ blogs/ treasure/

Copyright c 2005 The Spokesman-Review
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.