Mother's Day Table Accessories

Take the length of the tabletop, then add the desired drop on each side. A runner that covers the whole tabletop remains the safest choice on a rectangular table.

A gentle wash at low temperature suits a plain fabric, which should be ironed while still damp. For a beaded model or one with sewn-on decoration, a damp sponge is the safer option.

It works just as well on a tablecloth as on bare wood, where it protects the tabletop under serving dishes. That's the only case where the drop matters little, since the table remains visible.