Hey everyone. Today we're turning a cheerful wideback into a bright everyday tablecloth that covers your table in one smooth piece.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric
This is the Magic Dot wideback in Cherry.
It is from the Magic Dot line.
That line is by Moda Fabrics.
Small dots give it a playful texture.
That texture runs across a cherry red ground.
This fabric is 108 inches wide.
That is extra-wide yardage, y'all.
It was made as quilt backing fabric.
The idea is a seamless quilt back.
No piecing a back together.
No seam running down the middle.
It is sold by the yard.
Why it suits a tablecloth
A tablecloth is really just a big rectangle.
That sounds simple, and it is.
But most fabric is too narrow for one.
You end up piecing panels together.
Then you get a seam down the middle.
Right where the serving dishes sit.
This 108-inch width fixes that.
One cut can span most kitchen tables.
One cut can span many dining tables, too.
The dotted texture helps, too.
It gives the red some life.
It reads playful, not flat.
And it is forgiving for everyday use.
What you will need
- This Magic Dot Cherry fabric — 2 yards is a good starting point for most tables
- Matching thread for hemming
- A rotary cutter, mat, and long ruler, or fabric scissors
- Pins or clips
- An iron and ironing board
- A tape measure
- Your sewing machine, set up for a straight stitch
Let me explain that 2-yard number.
Two yards gives you 72 inches of length.
And you still have 108 inches of width.
Measure your table before you order more.
Here is the simple math I use.
Measure the table top, length and width.
Decide how much drop you want.
The drop is the fabric hanging over the edge.
Eight to 10 inches per side is common.
Add that drop twice to each measurement.
Then add 1 inch for hems.
So a 36-by-60-inch table works out nicely.
With a 10-inch drop, you need 56 by 80 inches.
This fabric covers that in one piece.
With room to trim and square up.
Completely up to you on the drop, though.
Brief steps
- Measure your table and do the drop math above.
- Cut one rectangle to your finished size, plus 1 inch all around for hems.
- Press each edge under 1/2 inch, then another 1/2 inch, for a clean double-fold hem.
- Pin or clip the folded hems, and take extra care squaring the corners.
- Stitch the hem close to the inner fold, at about 8 to 10 stitches per inch, pivoting neatly at each corner.
- Press the finished tablecloth flat, lay it on the table, and step back and smile.
Now, a word about corners.
Corners are where folks get frustrated.
Slow down right there.
Fold one side, then the next.
Then stitch through and pivot with the needle down.
If one corner is a little wonky, that's okay.
It does not have to be perfect.
You are your own worst critic here.
Nobody at supper is inspecting your corners.
Take your time, it's not a race.
If I can do this, y'all can do this.
Practical tips
Prewash if you plan to wash it often.
Do that before you cut, not after.
That way, any shrinking happens first.
Square your cut before you hem.
A tablecloth shows a crooked edge fast.
Use your longest ruler and check twice.
Press as you go, really really press.
Pressing is what makes a simple hem look sharp.
It is the difference between homemade and handmade.
We're not reinventing the wheel here.
One wide fabric, one big rectangle, four hems.
And you get a table that looks happy.
Super duper cute for everyday meals.
Alrighty, that's our tablecloth.
Thanks so much for sewing along with me.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the 108" Magic Dot Cherry 45" wide fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
