Hey everyone! Today you're going to learn how to turn one wide cut of paisley cotton into an elegant tablecloth, no piecing and no center seam.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric first
This is the Black Multi Paisley Style Cotton Wideback Fabric Per Yard from Benartex.
It is 100% cotton.
It is 108 inches wide.
That extra width is the whole story here.
The fabric is multicolored, with a dominant black hue.
Over that black ground sits a stylish, intricate paisley pattern.
The paisley gives it a touch of class.
It looks dressed up, even on an ordinary Tuesday.
And cotton is easy to handle at the machine.
It presses well and holds a crease.
That matters when you are hemming long edges.
The product notes also call out its resistance to wear and tear.
A tablecloth needs exactly that.
Just like that, this wideback stops being only a quilt backing.
Today it is going on the table, pattern side up.
Why this fabric suits a tablecloth
Most tablecloth trouble starts with width.
A standard 44 inch fabric is too narrow.
You end up piecing panels together.
Then a seam lands right down the middle.
Plates sit on it, and your eye goes straight to it.
This wideback skips that whole problem.
At 108 inches wide, one cut covers the table.
No center seam, no piecing, no matching across a join.
The paisley flows across the whole surface.
That is what makes it look finished and elegant.
Ours will finish about 70 by 106 inches.
That suits a rectangular table that seats six to eight.
It gives a nice drop on all four sides.
Measure your own table before you cut, though.
Aim for 8 to 12 inches of drop per side.
Completely up to you on the exact finished size.
The black ground is practical, too.
It hides the odd drip better than a pale cloth.
And the multicolor paisley works with plain dishes.
White plates on this print look really, really sharp.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Materials list
- Black Multi Paisley Style Cotton Wideback Fabric — 2 yards; the 108 inch width becomes the long dimension of the cloth
- Black or dark all-purpose thread to blend with the ground color
- Sewing machine with an 80/12 universal needle
- Rotary cutter, long ruler, and a large cutting surface or clean floor
- Pins, fabric marker, and a good iron
We're not reinventing the wheel here.
One cut of fabric, four hems, and you are done.
That is the whole supply list, folks.
Brief steps
- Press the fabric well. Lay it out flat on the largest surface you have. Check which way the paisley runs before you cut anything.
- Square one short end first. Then cut your piece to 72 by 108 inches, keeping the paisley running lengthwise down the table.
- Fold each edge under 1/2 inch and press. Fold under another 1/2 inch and press again. That gives you a clean double-fold hem on all four sides.
- At the corners, open the folds, trim a small diagonal across the corner, and refold. That keeps the corners flat instead of bulky.
- Pin the hems every 4 to 6 inches. Long hems love to shift, so do not skip the pins.
- Stitch the hem close to the inner fold. Use a 2.5 mm stitch length, about 10 stitches per inch.
- Pivot at each corner with the needle down. Keep your line straight and steady down the long sides.
- Give the whole cloth a final press. Lay it on the table and center the paisley so the drop hangs even on both sides.
Practical tips from my table
Check the paisley direction twice.
Cut it once.
I have hemmed a cloth with the print running sideways.
Oh my goodness, I noticed it at every meal.
Checking first saves you that little sigh.
Go slow on the long hems.
Slow down or the stitching starts to wander.
It's not a race, folks.
Feed the fabric, do not pull it through.
Press the hems before you stitch, not after.
A pressed fold is a guide your fingers can feel.
That one habit makes long hems so much easier.
Now, the permission beat.
Your corners do not have to be perfect.
Your hem does not have to match mine.
You are your own worst critic, I promise.
Set the table, put dinner on it, and nobody is measuring your hem.
All anyone sees is a beautiful cloth under a good meal.
That is the whole point.
Alrighty, thank y'all so much for sewing along with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Black Multi Paisley Style Cotton Wideback Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
