How to Make a Table Cloth & Machine Embroidery
An embroidered tablecloth can add flair to your dining room or kitchen, and you can make one at home, even if you do not have a lot of sewing experience. Use a sewing machine instead of hand sewing to save time and to make uniform stitches. For the best result, use heavy, woven fabric, such as linen or thick cotton. Preshrink the fabric by washing it in warm water and running it through a warm dryer before you cut it out. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape or yard stick
- 60-inch wide fabric, 2 yards (estimate)
- Scissors
- Tailor's chalk or fabric marking pen
- Stencil (optional)
- Zigzag sewing machine
Instructions
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1
Measure the table-top, using a measuring tape or yardstick. Add a minimum 12 inches to the dimension in each direction; you can add more if you prefer a longer tablecloth. If the table is round, only add the 12 inches once.
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2
Cut the fabric to the dimensions you calculated, using scissors. If you are making a square or rectangular tablecloth, round the corners slightly by clipping off the corners to remove sharp points.
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3
Turn the tablecloth upside down and fold the edge over 1/4 inch. Sew all the way around the tablecloth, with the sewing machine set to make a wide, long zigzag stitch or any other decorative stitch you find appealing.
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4
Turn the tablecloth right side up and position a stencil on the corners of tablecloth, or anywhere you want to add embroidery designs. Draw your designs freehand if you do not have a stencil you like.
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5
Set the machine to make the shortest, widest zigzag stitch it makes. Sew slowly and follow the lines stenciled or drawn on the tablecloth.
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Tips & Warnings
Make monochromatic embroidery designs by using thread that matches the tablecloth, or one shade darker. Alternatively, make your embroidery stand out by using colorful thread in a contrasting shade.
Finishing the edges of the tablecloth with a long, wide zigzag stitch makes a scalloped finish, referred to as a shell edge, though heavy fabric does not scallop as much as light fabric.
References
- Photo Credit trois verres image by papydiesel from Fotolia.com
