The Embroidered Leaf Tablecloth

Leaves for the harvest table

Leaves are the simplest fall motif there is, and embroidery makes them feel special instead of seasonal. On this cloth, slim branches of leaves run down the center, so they show between the plates rather than hiding under them.

Choose Gold leaf, stitched in warm gold with soft gray stems, for a classic harvest table with brass candlesticks and amber glass. Sage leaf, stitched in muted green on the same oatmeal ground, is calmer and looks good with white dishes, herbs and eucalyptus. A cream tassel trim finishes all four sides and gives the edges a little weight, so the corners fall straight.

Fabric and finish

The fabric is a polyester-cotton blend woven to look like linen, with a soft fleck you can see up close. It has a water-repellent finish: a splash of wine, gravy or cranberry sauce beads on the surface long enough to blot it with a napkin. It isn't a plastic cover, so hot dishes still need trivets, and a spill left sitting will eventually soak through.

Choosing your size

All five sizes are 55 in (140 cm) wide, which suits tables 34 to 40 in (86 to 102 cm) wide. Add twice your drop to the table length and pick the nearest size.

• 55 x 55 in (140 x 140 cm) for a 36 in (91 cm) square table or a card table
• 55 x 71 in (140 x 180 cm) for a 36 x 54 in (91 x 137 cm) table seating 4
• 55 x 79 in (140 x 200 cm) for a 36 x 60 in (91 x 152 cm) table seating 6
• 55 x 87 in (140 x 220 cm) for a 36 x 72 in (91 x 183 cm) table seating 6 to 8
• 55 x 102 in (140 x 260 cm) for a 40 x 84 in (102 x 213 cm) table seating 8

Setting a Thanksgiving table with it

Because the embroidery runs down the middle, you can skip the runner and let the leaves do that job. Line up a few small pumpkins, pears or pinecones along the vine, add taper candles in brass or wood, and keep the napkins plain: oat or rust for Gold leaf, white or sage for Sage leaf. If you need a second table for extra guests, the Sage Woven Tablecloth sits well beside it.

Care

Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle, ideally in a laundry bag to protect the tassels and stitching, and hang to dry. Skip bleach and fabric softener, which wear down a water-repellent finish. Iron on low from the back if needed, never straight onto the embroidery. Returns are accepted within 30 days.