Editing Tablecloth (section)

{{Short description|Cloth used to cover a table}}

[[Image:Tablecloth romanian 1full view.jpg|thumb|right|Traditional [[Romanians|Romanian]] tablecloth made in [[Maramureș]]]]
[[File:Qing cover.jpg|thumb|Cover for Square Table, [[Qing dynasty]], [[Qianlong Emperor|Qianlong period]], 1736–1795, China. Cut and voided silk [[velvet]].]]
[[Image:Table-cloth 2008-1.jpg|thumb|right|Detail of [[crochet]] tablecloth]]
A '''tablecloth''' is a [[textile|cloth]] used to cover a [[table (furniture)|table]]. Some are mainly ornamental coverings, which may also help protect the table from scratches and stains. Other tablecloths are designed to be spread on a dining table before laying out [[tableware]] and food. Some tablecloths are designed as part of an overall [[table setting]], with coordinating [[napkins]], [[placemat]]s, or other decorative pieces. Special kinds of tablecloth include "runners" which overhang the table at two ends only and "table protectors" which provide a padded layer under a normal tablecloth.