DIY Embroidered Tablecloth

Plain white tablecloths exude simple elegance, but a little hand embroidery can take elegance to the next level.

A little embroidery can transform a plain fabric tablecloth into a gorgeous centerpiece for parties, special occasions or plain old family dining. Doing the embroidery by hand makes it even more special because of the handmade element. Even if you are not an avid embroiderer, you can create a special embroidered tablecloth by using just a few simple stitches. Novices should practice their embroidery stitches first on a piece of fabric similar to the tablecloth.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton or linen fabric tablecloth
• Scissors
• Iron-on embroidery transfer patterns
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Embroidery hoop
• Selected embroidery floss
• Needle

Instructions

Transferring the Pattern

1. Cut the selected patterns out. Be sure not to cut into the adjoining design and not to cut through your selected design.

2. Place the area of the tablecloth to be embroidered on your ironing board, right side up.

3. Place the design to be transferred ink-side down on the tablecloth where you want it to be.

4. Press the backside of the design with the iron to transfer the design to the tablecloth. Follow the manufacturer's instructions

5. Continue transferring designs to the tablecloth.

Stitch the Designs

1. Put an area to be embroidered in the embroidery hoop. To do this, separate the hoops. Lay one hoop on a flat surface. Center the area of tablecloth to be hooped on top of the bottom hoop. Place the remaining hoop over the fabric and lower hoop. Be sure the fabric is taut.

2. Thread the needle with the selected floss.

3. Embroider the designs on the tablecloth. Be sure the stitches cover all parts of the transfer lines.

4. Remove the hoop and re-hoop another area. Continue re-hooping and embroidering until the entire embroidery project is complete.

Tips & Warnings

• The most common hand embroidery stitches include running stitch, back stitch, chain stitch and feather stitch. If you don't know them, refer to video tutorials or books to learn them.

• Some small embroidery designs don't require hooping. When in doubt -- hoop.

• Keep end knots small so they don't show through your tablecloth.

• Use caution with scissors and needles.

References

• Sublime Stitching: Hand Embroidery Basics
• Home Life: How to Embroider a Tablecloth
• Needle and Thread: How to Videos

Resources

• We Heart It: Messy Tablecloth Embroidery