Victorian Lace Round Tablecloth

Lace on a round table is one of those decisions that reads as either grandmotherly or quietly grand, and the difference is almost entirely in the scale of the pattern. These are cut large — an open central field with a deep, densely worked border — so the cloth holds its own on a full-size dining table rather than looking like a doily that has been enlarged.

Three patterns are offered: a scrolling floral, a geometric medallion and a fine open trellis. Each is machine-lace woven in a polyester yarn chosen because it does not yellow, does not need starching and does not shrink out of round in the wash — the practical failings that made real cotton lace such hard work. The edge is finished with a scalloped selvedge rather than a hem, so it lies flat against the table.

Four diameters — 120, 140, 150 and 175 cm — cover most round tables with a reasonable drop; measure your table and add roughly 25 cm each side. It also works over a coloured undercloth, which throws the pattern into relief. Machine wash cool on a gentle cycle, line dry, and use a cool iron if needed. Lace also works well laid over a table that has seen better days, since the open pattern draws attention to itself and away from whatever is underneath.

• Machine-woven lace in colourfast polyester
• Patterns: scrolling floral, geometric medallion, open trellis
• Diameters: 120 cm, 140 cm, 150 cm, 175 cm
• Scalloped selvedge edge, lies flat
• Will not yellow, shrink or need starching
• Machine wash cool; line dry; cool iron