Q. How do I care for my Acrylic-coated tablecloth?
The following instructions apply only to tablecloths tagged "La Cigale." For any tablecloth with another tag or no tag, please contact the person you purchased it from and ask them about care instructions.
Click here for illustrated tablecloth cleaning instructions
Generally you need only to wipe the cloth with a soft sponge with mild dish-washing soap and water. If you feel you need to launder your cloth, wash in the machine on gentle cycle with mild detergent in cold water - No Bleach! - then air dry. The cloth may be ironed, under side up, using a cool iron with a damp cotton pressing cloth. Any questions, call 717-964-3313 or e-mail info@lacigale-usa.com
Q.Can I leave my tablecloth outside?
We do not recommend that you leave anything outside for any extended time, as nothing is mold or mildew proof. Mildew and mold will form between the surface of the table and the underside of any cloth, especially in an environment with temperature changes, moisture, and shade. All cloths when wet should be exposed to air and sun and allowed to dry. Never fold and store a wet or damp cloth. Q. Who makes your products?
All of our products, with the exception of some of our sacs (bags) and the embroidered towels, are made by a small family sewing shop near Avignon in Provençe, France. The sacs which are not made in France are hand made here using Provençal "tissue" (fabric). The embroidered towels are made in Turkey and embroidered by a small company in Vallauyis, France, and some in Turkey.
Q. Where does your tissue (fabric) come from?
Our tissues come from weave mills and print shops in Europe. The Provençal print collections are mostly French; however, now and again an Italian will sneak in. Many of these collections are very old and owned by the families who created them. There is a museum dedicated to Provençal "Tissue" in Tariscome, France.
The Jacquards and peques come from weave mills in France, Spain and some times Belgium.
We do not use polyester as most of the polyester fabric is Chinese, some Indian, some Turkish; very little comes from Belgium or France.
Q. What is Acrylic-coating?
Acrylic-coating is a process in which a powdered acrylic is heat-treated, then infused into cotton tissue. This process makes the cotton tissue fade and stain resistant.
Q. What is Jacquard?
Jacquard, the weavers art, is a woven cloth in which the design is part of the weave. This cloth is woven on a Jacquard loom. The Jacquard material we use is constructed with threads treated with Dupont Teflon® fabric protector.
Q. What is a Cadre?
Cadre is a base cloth with a hand cut and applied border, sometimes a center. The tissue used to create this tablecloth is whatever the artist chooses.
Q. What is Polyester?
A cloth made out of plastic fibers.
Q. Do you offer polyester tablecloths?
A. We do not offer polyester tablecloths as most of them on the market today are Chinese knockoffs made either in China or in India. We specialize in genuine French cotton tablecloths.
Q. Do you make or supply the "Provence Tablecloths" Offered by Orvis?
A. No, we neither make nor supply the "Provence Tablecloths" offered by The Orvis Company. The design collections offered by Orvis are open collections available to any sewing shop.
Q. Do you have a shop we can visit?
Yes, in Mt. Gretna, PA. We are a small sewing shop which is open to the public. Our hours change with the seasons and are posted on the Front Page. Call 717-964-3313 for current information and directions to our shop.
Q. How did you get involved in this business?
To answer this question, please go to the About Us page. It's quite a story!
Q. Where is Mt. Gretna?
For this answer go to the Gretna page or the Contact Us page.
Q. Can you give me information about Provençe?
Yes; either go to the Provençe page, e-mail us at info@lacigale-usa.com or phone us at 717-964-3313. We would love to share our Provençal adventures with you.
Q. What forms of payment do you accept?
We can accept Visa, Mastercard, checks, and cash.
Q. How do you ship your table linens?
We currently ship via UPS and FedEx. Other means of shipment may be arranged on an individual basis as requested.
