What is a Tea Towel Made Of?
Tea time among the British and Irish has long been a point of pride, and tea towels have been an important part of that ritual. These pretty and useful accessories can be found in a variety of fabrics, but the main two are linen and cotton. Does this Spark an idea?
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Presentation and Purpose
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Tea towels were originally used in 18th century England to gently dry fine china or to be spread over a tea tray to enhance the presentation. Tea towels were also used to cover warm scones or wrap around a teapot to prevent heat loss.
Traditional Linen
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Linen was the traditional fiber used for tea towels, its delicate weave ideal for drying china tea service pieces. In 1784 when the British prohibited the exporting of yarn, Irish weavers began making linen. The practice is continued today as Irish linen tea towels are considered among the finest available.
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Dish Towels
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While vintage linen tea towels are viewed as pretty antiques, today tea towels are often made from cotton, a less costly fabric that is more suitable for daily use. Tea towels are what most Americans call dish towels or kitchen towels. Cotton dish towels are absorbent and can easily withstand repeated washing and drying.
Embroidery and Whimsy
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Tea towels have evolved over the years from fine linens to kitschy kitchen accessories imprinted with sweet, fun, or whimsical images. Some towels are decorated with paint, and some are embellished with embroidery.
Collectors' Items
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Printed cotton tea towels came into popularity in the early 1950s, replacing the more formal linen towels. These cotton towels became conversation pieces as they featured images such as maps of Ireland and Celtic crosses. Tea towels were--and still are--often purchased as souvenirs, and sometimes they are used as wall hangings or framed as pictures.
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