While the American dish towel originated from the prudent repurposing of used cotton feed sacks, this tea towel by Sir/Madam was inspired by the English version, made from pure linen to avoid surface link when drying delicate china and glassware. Individually printed using silk screens, the towels are cut from running yardage that comes off the loom with selvage sides before they are hemmed by hand. Thematic designs tend toward the informational - like the anatomy of an oyster, or a list of world cheeses by milk content. Makes a wonderfully unique hostess gift.