When she became engaged, her hands were kept busy with monogramming her fresh white cotton and linen pillowcases, towels, tablecloths and napkins; so that everything was in place before the newlyweds began their social commitments.
Usually mother, grandmothers, cousins and sisters would compliment the assortment and a Quilting Bee would be organized to create that special handmade gift.
Then, according to the popular Godey's magazine, a wise woman "should add two tablecloths, four table napkins, six towels, one or two pairs of sheets, six pillowcases, six dusters, the same number of glass cloths, and other things in proportion... every year to her linen closet".
White was the popular shade of choice and remained so throughout the entire Victorian period, though in later years some tinted items began to appear for special occasions. Delicately colored tablecloths and napkins were seen at "Color Teas" and bolder shades would be used underneath fancier lace and cut-work cloths to accent a color scheme, and protect the table.
When adding new pieces to the supply, the existing linen was checked thoroughly for damage, and the new arrivals added to the rotation. However, nothing was thrown away. According to Godey's: "It is hardly possible to set too much value on the use of old linen for an infinity of purposes to which new would not be equally well suited". Dusters, mats, aprons and in-betweens, could all be made from discarded sheets and tablecloths, and some of the most beautiful whitework began as a much larger piece.
