How to Make Decorative Tablecloth Weights

When the weather is nice it's natural to want to eat--and entertain--outside. A tablecloth is a nice touch to your outdoor décor, but can be a bit of a hassle if the wind picks up. Tape is ugly and messy and can melt in the heat, so instead, clipping a tablecloth weight to each corner of your cloth solves the problem while adding a bit of style in the process. There are many different styles of tablecloth weights available at stores, but at my last party (when I had to add a table at the last minute and didn't have time to make another set), the one table to loose its cloth was the one sporting the store-bought version. Craft your own weights and set a more confident table.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Golf balls
• Fabric
• Circle template, 6 1/2 inches wide
• Fabric marker
• Straight pins
• Pinking shears
• Needle and thread
• Beads
• Clip hooks

1. 

   Spread out your fabric, folded in up to four layers, and trace your pattern onto the fabric as a cutting guide.

2. Pin the layers together and then cut out each stack of rounds with pinking shears. The zig-zag edge of the pinking shears means fabrics are less likely to fray, saving you from having to hem the edges of each circle before continuing.

3. 

   Attach a short column of beads to the outside center of each circle to create a drop. Top-drilled beads (like briolettes) make great end beads, but if you can't find those, use a large, faceted bead for the bottom position and a small bead as a stop before threading back up the column and securing it to the fabric with a little knot.

4. 

   Sew a running stitch (also known as a basting stitch) around the fabric circle 1/2 to 3/4 inches from the outside edge.

5. 

   Place the golf ball in the center of the circle and draw up the running stitch to enclose the ball in the fabric. Stitch through the gathers, crossing through the center of the opening as well as wrapping the thread tightly around the neck of the gather to close the gap as completely as possible.

6. 

   Secure the clip by setting the hook section in the midst of the gathered fabric and stitching through the space of the hook, drawing sections of fabric together to hold the clip in place.

7. Make four weights for each round or square table, adding additional weights for rectangular or really large tables.

Tips & Warnings

• If you use something other than a golf ball, measure all the way around the item and add an inch or more to know how big to cut your circles.

[momose]

on 9/10/2009 Using a golf ball for the weight - What a clever idea! Thank you, Jennifer Walker for a well detailed article on making decorative tablecloth weights. ***** And congratulations on being featured author today!

[bossypants]

on 6/27/2009 These are nicer than any I've seen in the store! Clever and easy idea to really dress up the table while keeping the cloth in place! Thanks!