How to Make a Tablecloth With Fabric Tape

For the holidays or an everyday dinner party, tablecloths add a special touch to the table. A pretty covering also hides a shabby or old table underneath. But tablecloths can be expensive. Make your own tablecloths, even if you don't own a sewing machine. Use fabric tape to create a customized tablecloth for any occasion.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tape measure
• Fabric
• Ironing board
• Iron
• Pencil
• Sewing scissors
• Fabric tape
• Yardstick

1. Measure your table with a tape measure. Measure both the length and the width of your table. Add 12 inches to the length measurement, and 12 inches to the width measurement. This allows for some fabric to hang off the sides of the table, as well as provides extra fabric for hemming and shrinkage.

2. Purchase the fabric. Look for a wrinkle-free or wrinkle-resistant fabric to use for your tablecloth.

3. Wash the fabric on a gentle cycle and dry it on a wrinkle-free dryer setting to preshrink the fabric. Iron the fabric to remove any wrinkles.

4. Lay the fabric out face down on a clean, flat surface. Using a yard stick, measure in 1/2 inch in on all four sides of the fabric. Draw a parallel line next to each edge using a pencil. After the lines have been drawn on all sides, double-check they are all 1/2 inch inside the fabric. This will create a long rectangle drawing on the fabric.

5. Use sewing scissors to cut along the lines you drew to create an even edge on your tablecloth. Trim any loose threads.

6. Measure in 1 inch on all sides of the fabric using a yard stick. Use a pencil to mark your measurement. Draw parallel lines next to each edge at the 1 inch mark you made on each side. Instead of cutting this time, you are going to use the lines to fold the fabric over and create a hem.

7. Lay a section of your fabric on an ironing board. Lay a strip of fabric tape at the top of your pencil line, then fold over the fabric to where the edge of the fabric is touching the pencil line you made in step 6. Fold the edge of the fabric over onto the fabric tape. Make sure the fabric edge covers the fabric tape completely. Press down with your iron to seal the fabric in place.

8. Repeat this process all around the edges of the fabric. Once you are done, you should have a beautiful tablecloth, ready for your table.

Tips & Warnings

• Fabric prints and dark solid colors will hide stains and spills better than lighter colors.
• Heavier fabrics tend to lay better on the table than lighter fabrics.
• Use sewing pins to hold the fabric in place when you fold over the edges for the hem.

References

• No Sew Dining Tablecloths and Napkins