Making a Tablecloth for a Large Round Table

I love setting a pretty table. 

A Christmas setting from a few years ago. Because I used regular cotton quilting fabric, I needed 9 yards.

My biggest problem is that my table is too large to use commercial tablecloths. I just can't find any big enough!

Fortunately, it is pretty easy to make my own.

I like to find upholstery and drapery fabric when I can (on sale of course!).  It is 60" wide and comes in pretty colors and patterns.

I buy 6 yards (sometimes 7, if I need to match a design) and sew two 3 yard pieces together down the center.

Match up designs as well as you can.

(this is why you may need extra when there are large designs involved)

Fold in half and find the center. Attach a string to a pin and attach the pin to the center. (I use a non-stretchy cotton string. Yarn can stretch too much.) Attach a piece of chalk to the other end. It should end at the edge of your fabric.

Hold the chalk, pulling the string taut, and draw an arc on your fabric. Cut along the chalk line.

(I found it helpful to hold everything in place with a chair leg!)

If your fabric is thin enough, you can turn your hem. The fabric above was way too thick to turn, so I used an overcast stitch (shown below) to finish the edge. (A serger would work great here.)

That's all there is to it! I steamed the seams flat afterwards.

Most upholstery and drapery fabric has been treated to resist stains and sometimes water, so I will just spot clean it.

The next time you see this cloth, it will have pretty dishes and a centerpiece!

Here are some of my tables from the past.

Fresh flowers always look good! This cloth is from drapery fabric.

(see the flying birds I suspended over the table?)

I also decorate my buffet area!

Easter table. I didn't get a photo of it with flatware and napkins!

   
  

(Well, the last one is not officially a table setting, but the centerpiece is pretty sweet! This is why I always keep a cheap plastic tablecloth to throw over my tables after setting them! I certainly don't want cat hairs on my plates!) I pull it off just before guests arrive!

What I Did This summer!

 I really love how calming handwork can be.

 This quilt is based on a very old pattern called Joseph's Coat. It can be sewn on the machine, but curves are so easy by hand! (Sugarplum thinks I am making it just for her!)

I am also working on an ongoing year-long project. It's a "temperature quilt" and each square is based on the high and low temperature of each day of the year. I am really behind on it! You can find out more about temperature quilts by "googling" it. I was unable to find where the idea started, so I can't give credit to the first person who made one. It's really fun, though!

Wow! What a summer!

My husband and I have been traveling most of the summer.

We started a little early with a cruise to Nova Scotia. 

We went directly from the cruise ship to a flight to Niagara Falls. We stayed several days on the Canadian side of the falls.

We returned for just a few weeks, then headed west on a 3 week, 5,000 mile road trip! 

We returned home the first of August and hit the ground running - family visits, doctor appointments, vet appointments, then 5 days of out of town company. We enjoyed it all, but we're pretty worn out.

Sugarplum and the deer have kept a close eye on us since we've returned. I think they missed us! 

Dancing Kitties!

I’m dancing in the new year with a new and contemporary quilt pattern. 

Of course, you could choose a more traditional palette of soft “baby” colors!

(sample of one block and border in different colorway)

 Pattern is available for purchase, $12 plus shipping.