Pure Linen Damask is the name given to products woven from pure flax yarns in a special manner so that patterns are visible even in an all white cloth. This process requires threads to be woven in contrasting directions, which creates a pattern that is visible when viewed at certain angles. Across large surfaces, damask fabrics are most extraordinary, as shifting light sources continually reveal new patterns to the eye in hide and seek fashion.
Double damask is a fabric from another era. To maximise the production benefits of modern looms a higher warp thread count is normally used than weft thread count. This allows more cloth to be produced for less weft picks. Double damask is different from ordinary damask in that it has a lower warp thread count than weft thread count, this allows a dense high thread count fabric to be produced, as the weft yarns are beat up tight in the fabric. However, it is a much more expensive way of weaving because it takes longer to weave a given length of fabric. Also, to allow this dense packing of yarn a looser twill weave is used than in ordinary damask.
Apart from the higher thread count there are certain designs which are exclusive to double damask, because the higher number of yarns allows finer definition and some designs, such as Fine Scroll, because of its fine detail require the high thread count of double damask to bring out the best in it.
So to summarise the differences, double damask uses finer more high quality weft yarn, it has a higher weight per unit area, it has more weft picks than warp ends per inch, it is a different weave, it is a more expensive weaving process because you get less fabric per hour because of the extra picks, and often the loom has to be run slower to avoid damaging the yarns because of the tight beat up. On top of this its designs can be more intricate because of the higher definition allowed with the greater thread count. It should also last longer as the finer high quality yarns allow more launderings
Yes, we are pleased to offer custom sizes in many of our collections. For further information or to order a custom size, please contact us and we will be happy to help you. Please note that custom items are not returnable unless defective.
Yes, swatches may be obtained for any fabric/design. An option for ordering a swatch is found on each product page (the same page from which you would order the fabric). Unfortunately because filling an order for swatches involves many of the same steps required to fill a normal product order, we do have to charge for swatches.
This article which was pointed out to us in the Massachusetts publication, South Coast Today. Probably sums it up.
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Thanksgiving is time of year when everyone should bother
Why use a tablecloth when it's sure to get stains on it? A plastic cover only requires wiping. Why use real napkins, when they would only need to be washed and ironed afterwards? Paper can be thrown away. Why use the silver, when it would have to be polished first? There's enough of the everyday stuff if the children use the picnic things. Why use the good china, when it probably shouldn't go in the dishwasher and will have to be done by hand? With paper plates, you don't even have to scrape off the garbage. Why use the good glasses, when someone is bound to break one? With plastic glasses, no one has to be nervous. Why get flowers for the table, when they're so expensive and they don't last? Nobody notices, anyway. Why set the table at all, when things can be put out buffet-style for people to take what they want? That way, you don't have to serve them and they can fight among themselves over the drumsticks. Why use platters, when it would just mean getting something else dirty? Today's pots are made to go from the oven to the table. Why plan on having everyone sit down together, when they always wander in at different times and get up from the table whenever they feel like it? They would probably prefer watching television during dinner to making conversation, anyway. Why dress up, when jeans and running clothes are more comfortable? It's only going to be family and friends. Ah, yes. Welcome to the contemporary Thanksgiving dinner, where the theme of the day is: Why bother? This is a rather serious revision of the old theme, which Miss Manners recalls as having to do with giving thanks for bounty and the ability to share it with honored guests. It also happens to wipe out the purpose of ceremony as a special occasion where the spiritual meaning is symbolically expressed in aesthetic terms. Mind you, Miss Manners is not indifferent to the fact that it takes work and money to put on a festive dinner. She wouldn't dream of wondering why the holiday trash is filled with cans and cartons, or whether the hosts have personally crushed cranberries into jellied oblivion. And she is aware that gracious celebrations are often put on by people whose only collection of silver is kept in their change purses. It's not the dry goods; it's the attitude. No, wait. Miss Manners doesn't quite mean that. It's the dry goods, too. Let's not have any of that nonsense along the lines of "What's the difference how I dish out the food as long as I have a good heart?" What she means is that hospitality is about taking whatever trouble you can, and putting out the best of what you have, whatever it is. Deciding that the best household possessions are too good to be used for the same people -- family and friends -- who sent them as wedding presents in the first place is not what she would call the proper spirit. Thus, it is the concept of hospitality, much more than the silver, that has become tarnished and ugly. Hosts have adopted the cynical approach of asking what's in it for them. Admittedly encouraged in this by guests who won't do their share -- who won't show up when asked, dress for the occasion, stay through the meal, or make themselves charming to others -- they refuse to put themselves out for a bunch of ingrates. The result is that there will be a lot of hosts and guests assembling for the holidays with the determination to do as little as possible to put themselves out for one another. Miss Manners wonders why they bother."
Thomas Ferguson stock sizes fit standard size tables. If you require a custom size tablecloth please contact us. We will be pleased to help.
As a rule of thumb, 30cm (12 inches) should be allowed for drape at each side and end, meaning that a tablecloth should ideally be 60cm (24 inches) wider and longer than the corresponding table. To help with the calculation please see the Thomas Ferguson Tablecloth Size Calculator.
This calculator does not take natural shrinkage into account. This can be ignored on smaller tablecloths, but on large tablecloths, where shrinkage can be significant, a washed size cloth should be asked for, i.e. this is manufactured and supplied oversized to allow for shrinkage.
If you require a different overhanging/drape length on you tablecloth, maybe down to the ground, this will need to be calculated separately. The size calculator does not allow for this.
If your request is for a custom sized damask tablecloth with a cross-bordered/framed design which must be specially designed and woven, etc. Normally it will take 12-14 working weeks; if we have the design in our archive. Thomas Ferguson has a very great number of special sizes in the design archive, although they may not be offered in our standard range.
If we have to originate a new design or size it may take a further 3-6 weeks, i.e. up to 19-20 working weeks in total. However, this depends on sight of your artwork, and our work loads in the design department at the time.
Please ask if we have the design in our archive.
If we do have that design in our archive, and have woven it before there will be no extra charge for the special item. If we do have it in our archive but have never woven the size you require before there is a small design and administration charge to cover costs.
Design of New Size & Waiting to get loom time: 2 weeks (3-6 weeks if it is a new design or size which must be originated from scratch)
Weaving a batch size suitable for bleaching and finishing: 2-3 weeks
If your request is for a tablecloth, bedlinen, church linens, etc. cut and made from plain or all over design fabric which we hold in stock, unless it is a large order, we will dispatch in our normal delivery period, as stated in our delivery information. However, often we can dispatch quicker within approximately 2 weeks.
Ours is a craft weaving process and quality is paramount. We always try to ensure our customers long wait is made worthwhile, and please remember designs which must be originated mean your cloth is completely unique, and has never been made before.
Design department time is generally charged per hour. The better the quality artwork supplied, generally the quicker the job, and the lower the cost. As it requires very much less time trying to interpret the design, editing time, and getting customer approval.
The prices on all online purchases are discounted. This is to incentivize customers to use this means of ordering. The prices in the online wholesale store cannot be used if a customer wishes to telephone or fax their order. In this case prices should be taken from the latest Thomas Ferguson printed price list, which is available on request.
All Thomas Ferguson online wholesale store transactions are handled by Secure Trading. SecureTrading is the UK's leading independent Internet payment service provider.
Secure Trading systems are at physically secure locations, and use high levels of encryption to ensure the safety of your transaction information. Thomas Ferguson does not recieve your credit card information, this is handled by Secure Trading.
When you get to the checkout stage of the Thomas Ferguson online wholesale store if you look up at the URL of this page you will notice that it begins with https://. This means that it is on a Secure Server and all transactions that take place are encrypted between your browser and the server. Nobody is able to obtain your credit card details nor other information.
At the checkout stage you can pay with Visa, Switch, Mastercard, Solo or Delta.
The main purpose of offering wholesale prices is to enable third parties to trade in Thomas Ferguson's Irish linen.
Thomas Ferguson Irish Linens is pleased to offer wholesale prices to trade customers who manufacture or sell linens, or to hotels, restaurants or laundries who use linen in significant quantities as part of their business.
We do not generally offer wholesale prices to businesses in unrelated trades who wish to buy small quantities for gifts, or for their own use. Simply being in business does not qualify a customer for wholesale prices.
Thomas Ferguson will offer discounts to business customers, from unrelated businesses, who wish to purchase significant quantities of linens for one-off promotions or gifts.
Drop shipping is becoming increasingly popular with online retailers and suppliers. Thomas Ferguson's online wholesale store is now offering our wholesale customers the option to use a drop shipping facility alongside the standard shipping method. This new process is really very simple to use.
Drop shipping enables retailers to sell Thomas Ferguson linens without having to hold large quantities of stock. You sell the product to the customer at a retail price which you decide. Once your customer has placed the order with you, you then place the order with the Ferguson online wholesale website, in the normal way, at a wholesale price. At the shopping basket stage, you add the new shipping address for your customer, and choose the drop shipping option. Ferguson's then send the product straight to your customer. This saves any further effort on your part, and also saves one extra shipping cost, from you to your customer. You invoice your own customer, and you keep the difference between wholesale and retail prices for your efforts.
Thomas Ferguson's will not solicit your customer for sales thereafter.
If you have any queries regarding our drop shipping facility please do not hesitate to contact us.
