Hey everyone. Today we're making a tablecloth, and you're going to learn how an embossed, printed minky can turn an everyday table into something really really pretty.
Meet the fabric first
This is Almond Luxe Cuddle Whistler from Shannon Fabrics. It is a Cuddle fabric, and Luxe Cuddle is the collection.
Here's what makes it different. Whistler is a minky plush fabric. It is not only embossed, like you have come to expect from Luxe Cuddle. It is printed, too.
That mix is the whole charm. You get texture you can feel and a pattern you can see. Together, they make it one of the most visually interesting fabrics we offer.
Shannon Fabrics says it adds class and timelessness to a project. I agree, y'all. This one just settles in and looks good.
Now the numbers, because they matter here. It is 100% polyester. It measures 58 to 60 inches wide. That wide cut is a big help for today's project, and we'll get to why in a minute.
The color is Almond. The product tags call it beige and natural, and that is how it reads in a room. Warm, soft, and easy to live with, with wood, white dishes, or dark dishes.
Shannon Fabrics points to throw blankets and accent pillows for this fabric, and notes it works well for apparel, too. A tablecloth is a new direction, but the width and that classy finish make it worth trying.
The project: a tablecloth
A tablecloth here is simple. One wide panel. Clean hemmed edges. No piecing, no lining, and no fussy corners unless you want them.
Why does this fabric suit it? First, that 58/60-inch width covers many tables with a drop on each side, all in one piece. Second, the embossed, printed surface gives you pattern and texture without a second fabric. Third, Almond is a forgiving neutral that dresses up for company and still works on a Tuesday night.
Let's size it with real numbers. Measure your table first. Our example table is 40 inches wide by 60 inches long. We want about an 8-inch drop on every side. That means a finished cloth around 56 inches wide by 76 inches long.
See how nicely that works? The fabric is already 58 to 60 inches wide. For length, buy 2 1/2 yards. That gives you 90 inches, with room to square the ends and hem.
Materials list
- 2 1/2 yards Almond Luxe Cuddle Whistler, 58/60" wide, for a 40" x 60" table
- All-purpose polyester thread to match the Almond color
- Size 90/14 ballpoint or stretch needle
- Walking foot for your machine
- Long ruler, rotary cutter or sharp scissors, and a marking pen
- Plenty of pins or clips
- Optional: mitering tool or a square ruler for neat corners
Brief steps
Step one. Measure your table. Add twice your drop to each number, plus 2 inches for hems. Write it down before you cut. Trust me on that one.
Step two. Lay the fabric flat, right side up. Check which way the embossed design runs. Square one end, then measure and mark your length.
Step three. Cut the panel. Take it outside and give it a good shake. Cut minky edges shed a little. A shake now saves a big cleanup later.
Step four. Trim the width only if you need to. On our example, a small trim brings the 58/60-inch width right into line. Completely up to you.
Step five. Hem the long sides first. Fold each edge under 1/2 inch, then 1/2 inch again. Clip every 3 to 4 inches. Sew with a stitch about 3.0 to 3.5 millimeters, roughly 8 to 10 stitches per inch.
Step six. Hem the ends the same way. Fold your corners in neatly as you reach them. Slow down at those corners. Slow down or the needle snaps, and nobody wants that at the last seam.
Step seven. Lay it on the table and check the drop all around. Just like that, you're done. Here we go — dinner just got fancier.
Practical tips before you sew
Use that walking foot. I have sewn minky without one, and the layers crept. I had to rip a whole seam out. Learn from my mistake, folks.
Keep hot pans on trivets, not straight on the cloth. Placemats and coasters earn their keep here, too.
And here is your permission beat. Your hems do not have to be perfect. You are your own worst critic. Once the plates are down, nobody is measuring your drop with a ruler. Take your time. It's not a race. If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Alrighty. Thanks for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Almond Luxe Cuddle Whistler 58"/60" Fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
