When it comes to home décor, tablecloths are an elegant way to liven up rooms while protecting table finishes from water stains and scratches.A simple tablecloth can be made with some care.You can find fabric that matches your color preference, then sew it together to make a stylish decoration.
Step 1: Pick a drop length for your cloth.
The amount of fabric hanging from the edges of the table is called the drop length.The drop length for a standard tablecloth is 10 to 12 in.If you have a design in mind, adjust the measurement to match the length of your tablecloth.To figure out the total length of cloth, take all of your measurements in inches.A tablecloth should reach the floor.The table's height or close to it is the drop length for such a tablecloth.Measure your table's height if you don't know what drop length to use.Measure from the table to where you want the tablecloth to end.
Step 2: If the table is rectangular, measure the length and width.
Take the dimensions of the table with a measuring tape.You can record the dimensions on a piece of paper.You need to figure out how much fabric to get.The same rules apply to square and rectangular tabletops.You can calculate how much fabric you need if you have the length, width, and drop length.
Step 3: If the table is round, find the diameter.
Round tables are not the same as rectangular tables.Set the tape measure across the center of the table to measure the diameter.The diameter is the distance from one side of the table to the other.Measure across the table in both directions.When calculating how much fabric to get, use the longer measurement.
Step 4: Pick a hem length for your tablecloth.
The edges of the fabric fold up to create a hem.If you want to add a feature like mitered corners, account for a hem.The hem length adds to the amount of fabric you need to make a tablecloth.Try a double-fold hem.You need 1 in 2.5 cm of fabric to create the hem if you want to plan on each fold being 2 in (1.3 cm).
Step 5: To make a square or rectangular tablecloth, calculate the table's area.
To figure out how much cloth you need to cover the table, use a simple formula.You will need the table's measurements, along with a pencil and a calculator.To figure out the total amount of cloth needed for your design, divide the length and width by two.The tablecloth has a formula for its width.If your table is 30 in (76) cm wide with a 20 in (51 cm) drop distance, you'll get 72.The total length of fabric can be found using the formula: table length + (drop length x 2) +hem length.If you have a table that is 30 in (76) cm long with a 20 in (51 cm) drop distance, you will get 72.
Step 6: Determine the area of the table for a round tablecloth.
Add the drop length to the diameter.To get a basic estimate of your table's size, add the hem length to that sum.The formula for a round table is: diameter + (drop length x 2) + hem length.
Step 7: Determine how much fabric you need by dividing the tablecloth area by 36.
You can see how much cloth you need to buy with this calculation.If you go shopping at a fabric store, take the total with you.If you took all your measurements in inches, the formula will work.You will need to divide by a different number for other units of measurement.Divide the total area by 3 to determine your yardage, if you chose to measure in feet.To get the total square meters of fabric needed for the tablecloth, divide the area by 100.
Step 8: Cut the fabric to size by laying it upside down.
Place the patterned side facedown if you use patterned fabric.The wrong side of the tablecloth will face you if you spread the cloth out.The table has fabric across it.If the fabric hasn't been cut already, cut it according to your size, drop length, and hem measurements.To make a round table, you will need to cut all the way around the fabric.The fabric won't be large enough.When this happens, cut the fabric into a single section and sew additional pieces to it.The sides of your fabric may look the same if it is a solid color.If you want to serve the top side of the tablecloth, place it face down.If you bring your measurements to the store, they will cut the tablecloth for you.If you want to cut it yourself, mark your measurements on the tablecloth and use a pair of scissors.
Step 9: If the table is wider than the fabric, you should cut additional pieces.
The fabric should be kept across the center of the table.Take the width of the fabric.To determine how much extra fabric you need to complete the design, subtract the number from the tablecloth width you calculated earlier.New pieces of fabric should be the same length as the original one.Divide the width by 2 for the best tablecloth.To border the original piece, cut 2 pieces of fabric.Doing this makes your tablecloth look better.
Step 10: If your tablecloth has more than one piece, set the fabric side by side.
You will not be able to buy fabric wide enough to fit the table, so you need to use multiple pieces.Take the main piece and drape it across the table.Place the smaller cuts on the other side.The pieces will be enough to make a tablecloth according to your calculations.Make sure the patterns on each piece match when you place them next to each other.
Step 11: The bigger piece of fabric should be pinned over the narrower ones.
For now, set aside 1 of the narrower pieces.The selvage edges are thicker and more tightly woven on the remaining pieces.Make sure the selvage edges are flush before you pin the fabric together by laying the bigger cut over the smaller one.The selvage edges are easy to sew through.To make the tablecloth look perfect, you need to trim it later.
Step 12: Stitch along the length of the fabric.
The needle should be placed on the selvage edge up from the longer edge of the fabric.Use a single line to sew the opposite side of the fabric.The pins should be removed as you work.The fabric pieces will be bound by the stitches.A straight stitch can be made with either a sewing machine or a needle and thread.In order to make the stitch, you have to weave in and out of the fabric.The space between each individual stitch should be about 2 in.
Step 13: The other piece of fabric should be put on the opposite side of the tablecloth.
Pin and sew the second piece.Align the edges and secure the fabric pieces together.Straight stitches are made along the fabric's length.There is a seam allowance between the edge of the fabric and the row of straight stitches.
Step 14: Press them open with an iron.
Let the iron heat up.Put the edges of the cloth on the table.The iron should be run along the length of each seam once it is hot.This will prepare the seam for cutting.The seam should be pushed flat to smooth it out.Don't let the iron sit in place on the fabric because you may need to go over it a few times.
Step 15: Measure the width of the middle section.
The math portion is almost done, but you need to make sure the tablecloth is the right size.Determine the width of the middle section with a tape measure.Subtract that from the total width of the tablecloth.To figure out how wide each side panel needs to be, divide the result by 2.The total width is the width of the middle section.
Step 16: To cut off the extra fabric, mark the distance from the seams.
You should get a fabric marking pen that contrasts the color of the fabric you are using for the tablecloth.Measure from the seams on both sides using a ruler.If you want to remove the excess with scissors, mark the fabric according to the width you calculated.To bring the tablecloth to the correct drop length, you cut an even line around it.The fabric will match the size and shape of the table when you cut it.
Step 17: The hem can be created by folding the tablecloth and ironing it twice.
The edge of the tablecloth should be folded in by 2 in.Press it flat with the iron.After folding the hem in another 2 in, iron it flat.To hem it, repeat this around the entire tablecloth.A double-fold hem is one of the most basic and useful hems.There are many other ways to make a hem.
Step 18: Borders can be created by folding rectangular tablecloths.
The longer edge of the cloth should be folded over the shorter one.To see the grid pattern, unfold the corner.The middle square has a diagonal line drawn through it.Iron the fabric after it is cut along the line.To create the mitered corner, fold in the sides and the cut edge again.While you work on the other corners, pin the mitered corner to hold it in place.The corners of the tablecloths fit perfectly over any square or rectangular table.
Step 19: To complete the tablecloth, sew around the hem.
The sewing needle should be positioned beside the edge of the inner fold.Straight stitches are used to work around the tablecloth.To continue stitching along the hem, pivot the fabric when you reach a corner.You can drape the tablecloth over the table to see how it fits.Begin and end with a backstitch.Start with a straight stitch and loop the needle back and forth.The fabric pieces are held together with backstitches.The pins need to be removed as you sew.One last time, iron the hem to keep it flat.