Those sound pretty :)

I use them both ways depending on how much time I have.

I have some, but never use them. They are folded and put away. Recently I bought some new straight weave linen ones on ebay and they are a winkley mess. But I haven't been ironing them, cause I haven't taken the time. I like them ironed. Haha, ETA wrinkley mess.

I iron them. They are the ONLY things I iron in my household. I find it really quick, easy, and they look so nice when ironed. I take the tablecloth to the drycleaner though - it's way too big and awkward

I iron mine before a special dinner or if guests are joining us. Otherwise, I fold them when they come out of the dryer and just use them like that. I've noticed my college and grad school aged daughters prefer to use cloth, even if they are wrinkled, over paper napkins.

If you pull the damask napkins ironing wet from the dryer and spread them flat on a counter top, they will dry almost wrinkle free.

I have really old ones, from my great grandmother...so I hang them to dry, but if I'm on the ball I iron them damp.

I have vintage ones and don't use them, I do have some pink ones ironed for display in the china cubbord. Actually Roc you advised me on how to iron them.

I have used them occasionally. I have always ironed them but I saw some recently that were lightly starched and folded once with that fold creased if I remember and then folded with no crease and they were so beautiful with a little loft. I have to set a round table for 8 for a ladies group and was going to use damask, starched. I can buy them all day at a couple of the local thrift shops. I am dying them pink. I have seen them dyed darker colors recently. I did have a smaller square damask tablecloth that dried in the dryer wrinkle free. I really like the big oversized napkins.

One important thing about damask, never iron a crease into them.

Re: pajama comment.. With my adult children out of household and my husband deceased, I eat alone most evenings and I dine late evening!

We have some 100% cotton damask (lightweight garment/blouse weight) that I made 25 years ago. They get ironed with the 100% linen ones because they're easier to iron than the linen ones, so it's a snap.

I had dozens of these and gave a set to DD. Was looking through the linens drawer and trying to decide what to do. There are so many for sale on Ebay they can't seemt to give them away, it looked to me like no one loves and uses them any longer. Maybe it's just those of us here who don't mind washing napkins.

Roc I also noticed all of them for sale on Ebay, and they don't seem to move. I think the younger generation prefers paper napkins or wash and wear napkins no ironing. Shame.

I didn't know about not ironing a crease in them...I've been doing it wrong I guess

Iron. I really prefer cloth to paper so it is worth it to me.....

Have 'em, love 'em, and yes, iron them just prior to use.

Well, at least some of us still appreciate them and are willing to spend a few minutes to make things extra nice. When I was a kid we had napkin rings and reused cloth napkins for several meals. Another nice thing gone. Napkin rings are just decorative cr*p now.

When I say I don't use mine that's not entirely true, I do for holidays and special occasions or guests for dinner.... With young kids in the house I use my cotton napkins or flour sacks for daily use.

Damask napkins really give the finishing touch to a well set table.

Roc I agree about the napkin rings nowadays, crappy plastic rings in a variety of equally crappy colors. They look like cheap shower curtain rings.

I bet silver dealers can't even give away monogrammed silver napkin rings which is what was used years ago. But it's been a long, long time.

Rocogirl I was going to add that we did that too but you're right about the napkin rings that are available now they are so small that you really can't use them so we just re-fold them and leave them on the table (so long as they really aren't messed up).

I actually wouldn't bet that there are silver dealers anymore…

I was surprised at how many silver dealers there are -- especially in England. And how inexpensive some silver napkin rings have become (at least on ebay). The better ones seem to go by weight.

As I thought, almost can't give them away. Trick is finding the right monogram or name I suppose.

I iron everything lol. With the rotary iron, flat items are a much easier task. I have linen damask and iron it.

I have some that get used 1-2x a year for dinner parties I have in my home. I iron them if I am folding them into a design (picked up the napkin designing working in formal executive catering, I loved that job!)

A friend gave his deceased partner’s napkin press. Every few months I’ll just pop it in front of the TV and just zip through several dozen. But I do have some nice restaurant quality polyester that are great for every day, absorbent and comfortable. Avoid the bad polyester type.