The home décor affected industry is made up of many core products with insurmountable everyday demands eg curtains, bedspreads, quilts, pillows etc. But it also includes the product market of kitchenware and kitchen related linens, and rightly so with the ever increasing and beautiful variety of kitchen and table linen that includes tablecloths, table runners, napkins, table mats, aprons and mittens. And recently, these kitchen related linens contribute to anywhere from 5-10% of the total industry sales worldwide. And in an attempt to cater to these ever growing demands from the US, and Europe, exporters are continuing to experiment, and implement new ideas and techniques to acquire a more fashion¬-oriented design that appeals to International buyers.
The abundance and properties of cotton makes it the most popular material used to manufacture these products. But as of laTely, linen has also been gaining fierce approval as the new preferred fabric for most of these products, especially in the quality part of the market. The main worth of linen is its environmental production attribute, because it uses 5-20 times less energy and water than all other natural and synthetic material production. Silk is not especially used for fabric bases for kitchen products, because of its susceptibility to burn easily, and it is a lot more expensive than other fabrics. And although cotton is still very popular and has a very steady demand, many buyers still prefer polyester fabrics, cotton blends with linen, organza, and poly-tissue have been deemed appropriate fabrics for table and kitchen linen.
The customer's preferences for the total designs of kitchen and table linen alter with the changing seasons or approaching festivals. Whereas red, blue, orange and pastels are ideal for summer, the darker colors such as black, brown, gray and every grayscale color in between are ideal for winters. White is rarely used as a complete color scheme for kitchen accessories, because it is dirtied and soiled easily, but instead, it is likelier used as the base or is blended with various colors for interesting motifs.
The constant demand for seasoned kitchen and table linens fuels the American trend of outsourcing large quantities in same style and color is widespread, but many European countries have a demand for linen in various colors and designs in much smaller quantities.
The designs of the linen vary from product to product and depend upon their purpose and utilization. New design trends are taking hold and increasing the attractiveness of these linens; multicolored bold stripes, laces at the borders, sequin, appliqué work and beads in table cover and napkins, embroidery, printing, patchwork and painting can be spotted in napkins, runners and table covers.
The prices for table and kitchen linen are usually moderate and affordable to the average Joe, but price does vary with purpose, style / design, and use. The average costs of the kitchen and table linen on the basis of techniques and crafts can vary from 65 cents to US $ 20.
Products – Techniques from India
For the exportation of major amounts of kitchen, table and more or less any kind of household textiles, the US and Europe look to India for their goods as the most preferred textile destination. But India's booming textile trade is always under intense competition from their neighbor, but is still ahead of the race because of the easy availability of raw materials, man power, and production capabilities. India creates the most fascinating varieties of home textiles because they include their rich culture into the designs. The Indian home furnishing industry offers an impressive range of curtains, bedspreads, linen, cushion covers, placemats, kitchen accessories, table covers, made-ups, bath linen, and many other home fixtures.
The industry itself accounts for 14% of the countries' total Industrial production and counts for about 30% of the total exports. With extensive improvements at each stage of production, it gives a very hefty contribution to the economy. And the industry is wholly export oriented sect and earns foreign revenue for the country, including employing large amounts of people at reasonable wages.
Place Mats / Tablemats
Beautifully crafted in cotton and linen, place mats are made to suit all kinds of needs. Variations can be seen in the weave, texture, material and shapes of placemats. Jute, straw, flax or even plastic mats are seen with many exporters. Linen and cotton mats with decorative weaves or embellished with embroidery appliqué or laces with unique color combinations many buyers. Jute tablemats have a good market, being user friendly and buyers find the natural golden color of jute quite attractive. Mats highlighted with colored threads are quite popular from India.
Straw mats are where craftsmen play with different thickness of straw to give different textural rhythms. Threads and straws of different colors are used to beautify and add elegance to mats. They have a host of interesting patterns that include paisley, floral, geometric and abstract prints. Solid colors, patchwork and light embroideries in place mats are also visible at many export houses.
Napkins
Linen and cotton are the preferred material for Napkins, as they are durable and absorbent and can be boiled for the purpose of cleaning, and ensuring hygiene. They also can accept great amounts of heat eg ironing, and bearing sunlight. Indian created Napkins are generally embroidered, printed and painted to give a tailor look and a handicraft charm.
Floral, animal and geometric designs are the common motifs, as the printing / painting is situated in various places on napkins to assist in different ways of folding, as to accentuate the pattern.
Napkin Rings
Indian designs use many pleasing colors to make beautiful napkin rings that are very traditional, and with a less formal look. Designers keep experimenting with the many appearances of Napkin Rings, as to attract new customers to the market.
The buyers' desire more of cleaner lines and visually appealing styles in napkin rings with subtle elements of conventional Indian appeal. Soft lucid shades and distinct designs are also very popular in rings.
Napkin Rings are used to embellish the style and presence of the napkin on the table, and the most generally used materials for the manufacture of napkin rings are glass, ceramic, stone, wood, polyresin, brass, bone and aluminum.
Table Runners
Table Runners from India are produced from linen, satin, cotton, and straw. The linen and cotton runners are mostly embroidered with delicate, superior patterns along the edges, the length of the fabric or with brilliant patterns in the corners. They many hand painted abstract shapes, and animal figures themes that are currently a must have. The table runner straw weavers of Assam are infamous for traditional patterns whereas, West Bengal is considered for its high quality, jute table runners.
The table runners that have been customized to the individual's requirements are decorated with tassels, gold / silver threads, fringes, beads etc. They also may be hand knotted or woven, as is desired by the buyer.
Table Cloths / Covers
Table Covers are usually adorned with modest amounts of beadwork, hand / machine embroidery, and appliqué work. Linens take to embroidery well, which are more utilized for occasions, and the linens can both easily worn and does not fade out when washed. They are manufactured using contemporary and conventional Indian designs, as hand-made table cloths are quite established long long time buyers.
Aprons
Indian aprons are skillfully created out of linen and cotton, which are both absorbent and hard-wearing. While the outstandingly decorated linen apron has repeatedly passed in and out of consumer popularity, it has been noted that the current momentum has swung it back into fashion. But cotton based aprons have stayed a staple choice for many years and are still hugely outsourced from India.
Mittens
Mittens are very important accessory for every kitchen and are also obtainable in a large number of patterns, and designs, but with an array of distinguishing textures and quality. And with eye-catching prints and pure colors, mittens are also available in a variety of types such as hand-woven, embroidered, hand painted, and machine printed designs.
Coasters
Coasters purpose is to prevent table finishes from heat and cold damage from wares. Indian manufactured coasters can come in a multitude of designs; hand-woven, embroidered, hand-painted, and machine printed coasters. And they also come in many varied shapes, such as; square, triangular, rectangular, circular and oblong, which are very much in demand within the international market.
Conclusion
The Western demand for table and kitchen linen will always be fueled by the on going production from the Indian market, with every taste to be appeased.