How to Make a Quick and Easy Tablecloth

Are you looking for an easy sewing project that can really make an impact? Then why not make a quick and easy tablecloth?

Changing a tablecloth is such a simple thing to do, and it only takes 5 or 10 minutes. So it’s amazing how much of a difference it can make to a room.

A new tablecloth can instantly change the entire look and feel of your kitchen or dining room. They’re also an easy way to decorate for the holidays.

Just drape a tablecloth covered with Christmas trees or autumn leaves over your table, and you’ll find it nearly impossible not to get into the spirit of the season.

Tablecloths have their practical purposes, too. They can protect a table from the perils of hot serving dishes and spilled drinks. They can also help to hide a table that might not be in the best condition.

Yes, you can buy tablecloths. But buying a piece of fabric to make a tablecloth is a lot less expensive than buying a tablecloth ready-made. In fact, for the price of one ready-made tablecloth, you can probably make three or four.

Best of all, making a tablecloth is quick and easy. Here’s how you do it.

What You’ll Need

•  A notepad and a pen
• Measuring tape, a tape measure, or a yard stick
• Home décor fabric
• Fabric shears
• An iron
• An ironing Board
• A pencil or Tailor’s chalk
• your best sewing machine or hand sewing needle
• Thread

Measuring Your Table

To make a quick and easy tablecloth, you will need a piece of fabric that’s wide enough to fit your table.

Before you go fabric shopping, pull out your tape measure and measure the length and width of your table. Write the measurements down in your notebook.

Most bolts of fabric come in certain predetermined widths. Most bolts of fabric are 44 inches wide, which will work on a small table that’s between 2 and 2 ½ feet wide.

Home décor fabric is ideal for making a tablecloth. These fabrics tend to be heavier and sturdier than other types of fabric, so they can better withstand heavy use and frequent washings. Home décor fabrics also won’t shift around as much on a table as lighter fabrics would.

Many home décor fabrics come in bolts that are 54 inches wide. This is a great width for a table that’s between 2 ½ and 3 ½ feet wide.

You might also be able to find fabric that is 60 inches wide, which will work for a table that’s between 3 ½ and 4 feet wide.

For this tutorial, we’ll make a tablecloth for a rectangular table that’s 3 ½ feet wide using fabric that’s 60 inches wide. But the instructions should be easy to follow no matter how big your table, or what size fabric you’re using.

Figuring Out the Fabric

Our imaginary table is 3 ½ feet (42 inches) wide and 5 feet (60 inches) long.  And we already know our fabric will be 60 inches wide. Now we need to figure out how long our fabric needs to be. And this is where the “drop” comes in.

The “drop” is the part of the tablecloth that hangs down from the edge of the table. The drop can be almost any length, from a few inches to a few feet. For your quick and easy tablecloth, you want the drop to be the same length on all four sides.

Our table is 3 ½ feet, or 42 inches, wide. Since the fabric is 60 inches wide, there will be 18 inches left for the drop and the hem. You want the length to have the same amount of extra fabric. Here is the formula:

• Width: 60 inches – 42 inches = 18 inches.
• Length: 60 inches + 18 inches = 78 inches.

So you’ll need to buy a piece of fabric that is 60 inches (5 feet) wide and 78 inches (6 ½ feet) long.

Making Your Tablecloth

Once you get your fabric home, pre-wash it. After you’ve taken the fabric out of the dryer, press it with iron.

Believe it or not, your quick and easy tablecloth is almost finished. All that’s left to do is make the hem. Starting at one edge of the fabric, fold the edge in, towards the wrong side, about ¼ to ½ of an inch. As you go, run the iron along the fold, so that it will stay in place.

Stitch the hem of the tablecloth. It’s best to do this with a sewing machine, but you can also do it by hand in a pinch.

And you’re done. Just like that, you’ve made your very own tablecloth. Sewing projects don’t get much simpler than that.

If you’re looking for a quick, easy and affordable way to liven up your kitchen or dining room, a homemade tablecloth is the way to go.