I do not care for "our day of simplicity", this usually means dumming down.
surely these could be used on special occasions, I use table pads and seersucker or poly cotton napkins for every day, but do like to see the graceful formality of a properly laid table and as you all seem to have the iron out permanently is it really such a chore once in a while to do this?-------I realise that blue bagging and using proper starch would be a chore but you can use either sugar water or spray starch. HOWEVER , if there are those who wouldn't do this ,why not embroider the t/cloths with your fancy machines , starch/iron properly and use over pine/oak chests ,side tables so that they maybe displayed permanently without regular washing as the starch will deflect dirt.