15+ Tablecloth Projects To Sew

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I find shopping for table linens a frustrating venture (either the fabric is poor quality, the dimensions or shape is off or the colors just aren’t right). Easy solution? Make your own! Here are several different tutorials featuring a variety of styles you can make using assorted fabrics and trims. Some are holiday themed but keep in mind you can use the same techniques and ideas to make a covering suitable for year-round use (just change the fabric, trims or decorative embellishments). I also added some tips at the bottom of the page for crafting and collecting vintage tablecloths.

countryliving.com

Striped Project: A natural colored canvas drop cloth is decorated with stripes of red fabric paint (make straight lines using grout tape). Easy project!

Retro Reversible: Made with assorted fabric prints, free pattern download available for the flounce pieces (pdf).

sew4home.com

craftynest.com

Fabric & Pom Pom Trim: Simply hem a piece of fabric large enough to cover the table then sew pom pom trim along all edges.

Bandanna: An easy to make, casual-style tablecloth suitable for outdoor entertaining. You’ll need several prewashed bandannas (either the same color or use a mix of colors & patterns).

marthastewart.com

bhg.com

Vintage: Edge a purchased tablecloth with frilly printed handkerchiefs, eyelet trim and satin ribbon.

Italian Bistro-Style: Formulas are provided to make a custom fit cloth for your table, one fabric print is used for the top while a coordinating print is used for the drop pieces.

sew4home.com

thedillspiel.blogspot.com

Scalloped Cover: Simple no-sew project using a scallop template and vinyl fabric (you can make your own template with cans or use free download).

Fitted Oilcloth: Here’s one made with oilcloth and has the corners sewn together to make a fitted covering. Free scallop template download (pdf).

twigandthistle.com

sew4home.com

Fabric Panel Cloth: Features three panels in a coordinating print across the middle, has an 8″ overhang.

Patchwork: Six fabric strips of varying widths are sewn together then trimmed with rickrack (includes directions for making matching napkins).

marthastewart.com

projectsbyjess.blogspot.com

Simple Fitted Cloth: Made with vinyl fabric or oil cloth and trimmed with double wide bias tape (made to fit a square or rectangle table top but will work with round or oval shapes as well).

Patio Party Cloth: Made with assorted prints, one long panel along the center with the drops in a coordinating print (fabric ties at each corner).

sew4home.com

marthastewart.com

Snowflake: Transform a plain white table covering with glitter and glue in a snowflake design (or use any design you like).

Holiday Patchwork Topper: Fabric squares are sewn together then an accent row of mother-of-pearl buttons and bright corner tassels finish off this festive covering.

sew4home.com

womansday.com

Festive Felt: Made for a round table in red and white felt, free tree pattern template available (via pdf download).

Lemon Zest: Bright & cherry cloth for the holidays, features creamy drop panels and dramatic fabric bands and ties along the table’s top edges.

sew4home.com

beachvintage.blogspot.com

Dish Towel Table Cloth: Here’s an easy project piecing and sewing together dish towels to make a table covering.

Skirted With Flower Button Napkins: Learn how to make a fitted tablecloth with gathered skirt and fabric napkins embellished with yo yos & buttons.

janome.com

joann.com

Pretty Stenciled Cloth: Stencil designs are applied with fabric paint or acrylic paint, can use a ready-made tablecloth or one you sew yourself. Project is available via free pdf download.

Ruffled Slipcover: Made with white cotton twill fabric and cotton cording, instructs how to measure for a custom fit.

hgtv.com

homelife.com.au

Made With Tea Towels: Seven tea towels are sewn together in this easy project, no hemming or finishing edges required!

Helpful Tips:

• What is the proper drop length? Typically 8″ but can be longer for more formal settings (source: Better Homes & Gardens).
• How To Measure For A Round Tablecloth: From sew4home.com.

Collecting Vintage Items – Crafts Ideas & Resources

*First published September 29, 2007 and moved to this page for better organization

It’s no secret that I love vintage patterns, crafts and fabrics–and that includes tablecloths. The fabrics are soft and durable, usually a good quality cotton or cotton/linen blend and the patterns deliciously whimsical, folk artsy and retro. Perfect for brightening up the kitchen or sewing with!

Here are a few craft ideas using the tablecloths, as well as resources listed for those who love to collect them…

Craft Ideas

• Jumpers and summer dresses for young girls
• Drawstring bags, gift bags, diaper bags, purses & totes
• Pillowcases, cushions
• Quilts
• Vanity skirts
• Kitchen and bedroom curtains & valances
• Footstool covers
• Stuffed toys
• Book covers
• Wallets, checkbook covers
• Tissue Holders
• Tea cozy
• Aprons
• Basket liners
• Placemats
• Table runners
• Picnic napkins
• Clothespin bags
• Pretty much anything in this list
• Look at what eBay sellers are making with the tablecloths, they’re usually on the cutting edge of great ideas

Resources For Collectors

• Collecting Vintage Tablecloths
• History of the Printed Tablecloth
• The Collector’s Guide *eBay Discussion Thread
• Tips For Buying Online

Tips For Collectors: Hunting for vintage textile treasures

• Inspect the item completely! open it up and look for wear holes or weak spots – these may become bigger holes after washing if the cloth had be improperly washed or stored in the past.
• Watch for fugitive dyes and significant fading – Early kitchen textile dyes can be unstable and will fade unevenly. Hold the cloth up to the light to see if there is evidence of missing colors or a faded pattern – this will reduce the value of the cloth.
• Measure- most vintage tablecloths were 50″ or 54″ wide and varying lengths- sometime you will find a 38″ wide BBQ or patio tablecloth. Anything 36″ wide is most likely a vintage fabric piece and not a tablecloth. 60″ x 60″ wide cloths most likely will be reproduction tablecloths so it pays to measure all cloths in the store.

Here’s a tip I never thought of:

Most vintage printed tablecloths you can find today are in smaller sizes ranging from 32″ square to 54″ square. I recommend buying a several larger gingham and plain tablecloths in primary colors to show off your smaller tablecloths.

Source: How to use and display vintage linens. Great idea!

There’s an online club you can join too: VintageTableclothsClub.com. It does cost $15 a year to help support the club’s expenses. I’m not affiliated with it and I’m not a member so I can’t personally vouch for the quality of information exchanged, but I have heard good things. If you’re a member or you join, I’d like to hear your thoughts on it .

Collecting vintage tablecloths is a hobby one can do relatively easily since the tablecloths are still common enough to find at thrift stores and garage sales–as well as quite affordable. Not only that–you can use these items productively in day-to-day living, not many vintage collections can provide that.

Now if only chenille blankets were as easy or affordable to collect, sigh .