Advice on Keeping Napkins in Laps

Keeping napkins on laps, with women in voluminous, satin gown skirts, was made much more difficult than one can imagine, due to the fact that women had to also keep their gloves, fans, and reticules in their laps underneath the napkins. 

In 1860, “The Ladies’ Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness,” by Florence Hartley, Mrs. Hartley recommends one bring a pincushion to a dinner party for use with the napkin:

“Sit gracefully at the table; neither so close as to make your movements awkward, nor so far away as to drag your food over your dress before it reaches your mouth. It is well to carry in your pocket a small pincushion, and, having unfolded your napkin, to pin it at the belt. You may do this quietly, without its being perceived, and you will thus really save your dress.

If the napkin is merely laid open upon your lap, it will be very apt to slip down, if your dress is of silk or satin, and you risk the chance of appearing again in the drawing-room with the front of your dress soiled or greased."– Florence Hartley, “The Ladies’ Book of Etiquette and Manual of Politeness,” 1860

 

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