How to Make a Tablecloth

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Learn how to make a tablecloth for your favorite table. It could be a dining table, outdoor setting or even a little coffee table. All it takes is some careful measuring and some beginner sewing techniques to create a simple hem. Make a special occasion tablecloth or just one for everyday use.

Table of Contents

How to Make a Tablecloth – Supplies

Fabric
Measuring tape
Iron and ironing board
Basic sewing supplies – pins, thread

Best Fabric to Make a Tablecloth

You can choose any fabric that makes you happy!

FABRIC COMPOSITION – Cotton, cotton/polyester, linen, canvas – just about anything is used for tablecloths. If you are a beginner sewer then I suggest cotton since it is the easiest to sew and washes well. Since it will be washed often, choose a fabric that will be easy to wash in the machine and whose color won’t bleed. Natural fiber fabrics such as cotton and linen are more absorbent for spills but do crease more. Also, consider lace fabrics for a vintage touch.

FABRIC WIDTHS – Most dressmaking fabric is 44 inches (112cm) wide so may not be wide enough to make a large tablecloth without having a join down the middle. Decorator fabrics come wider as do sheeting fabrics with many coming in widths of 60 inches (150cm). Lace is often much wider as well.

Upcycle! Also, consider old sheets. You can always put a runner over the top of the tablecloth to add a pop of color or to make it look fancier.

FABRIC PATTERNS – Because there are such limited fabric choices in ready made tableclothes you buy from the store, make an interesting choice of pattern. Be proud to say “I made it myself”. Different colored tablecloths add a pop of color to a room without any long term commitment. You can change the color of the tablecloth to match your moods.

Once you have chosen your fabric, it is time to cut and sew. Choosing a fabric can take longer than sewing.

Measure the Table

The first thing you need to do is measure your table! Of course, your table could be round, square or rectangular.

Square or Rectangle – Measure the length and width across the top.
Circle – Measure the diameter. This is the whole distance across the top of the table.

Calculate out the Drop

The next thing to work out is the amount of drop you wish to have. This is the amount that the tablecloth extends over the edge towards the floor.

You may just want a small drop for casual meals or a full length to the floor drop for an elegant dinner. Full-length tablecloths can be used to hide some storage boxes underneath. There is no right or wrong, it is purely your personal preference.

For everyday use, it is good if the drop ends before the chair. This will make it easier to sit at the table. The drop doesn’t necessarily need to be the same the whole way around. For some reason, you may want the ends longer like this orange tablecloth below.

Calculate the Hem

Decide on the hem width you will use. A good amount for square and rectangles is to add seam allowance all the way around of 1 inch (2.5cm). This means you can do a double fold hem of 1/2 inch (12mm).

For circles, a narrower hem is easier to sew. Try a seam allowance of 1/2 inch (12mm) which will be used to create a double fold hem of 1/4 inch (6mm).

Tablecloth Formulas

So far we have worked out the table size, the drop and the hem widths.

Here are some formulas for cutting your tablecloth out.

Square or Rectangle

WIDTH = Table Width + (2 x drop) + (2 x seam allowance)
HEIGHT = Table Height + (2 x drop) + (2 x seam allowance)

Circle

DIAMETER = Table Diameter + (2 x drop) + (2 x seam allowance)

Here is a diagram so you can visualize your cutting formulas.

How to make a Tablecloth – Example

30 H x 40 W inch rectangular table and I want a 10 inch drop on all sides and I plan on doing a double fold hem of 1/2 inch all the way around. This means my seam allowance is 1 inch (don’t forget it is a double fold hem)

Width: 40 + (2 x 10) + (1 x 2) = 62 inches
Height 30 + (2 x 10) + (1 x 2) = 52 inches

Optional – Joining 2 Pieces of Fabric

Hopefully, you can purchase fabric large enough to cover your table but if you can’t here are a few tips for joining fabric.

Put the 2 pieces of fabric with right sides together.
Stitch along the raw edges you want to join with a 3/8 (1cm) seam.
To prevent fraying, finish the seam with a serger or wide zig-zag stitch.
Press the seam.

How to Hem a Tablecloth

After you have cut out your tablecloth all you need to do is to sew a nice hem all the way around. I have used a contrast thread for my stitching but it will look much neater if you use a thread that matches.

Straight Hems

The easiest hem to sew is a double fold hem.

Flip your tablecloth to the wrong side.
On the long edges, press the raw edges up once by the width of your hem. Press it over a second time so the raw edges are completely encased.
Example – If your hem seam allowance is 1 inch (2.5cm) you would press it up once by 1/2 inch (12mm) and then a second time by 1/2 inch (12mm).
Stitch the hems along the long edges.
Repeat to form hems on the short ends. You can see from the photo below how the corners overlap.

Machine Stitching

Use an all-purpose presser foot and a straight stitch. Try a length of 2.5. The sewing machine needle should match your fabric type and weight. For cotton use a universal needle in an appropriate weight

Circular Hems

For circular tablecloths, a really narrow hem is best as there will be less puckering. Here I have a full article on how to sew round hems giving several methods.

If you just have a regular sewing machine and no serger, here is the easiest method to sew circular hems.

Straight stitch 1/4 inch (6mm) from the raw edge
Use the stitches as a guide to press the hem up once by 1/4 inch(6mm). The stitches form a perforated edge that makes this easier.
Press the hem over a second time by the same amount.
Pin and stitch the hem.

Machine Stitching

Use an all purpose presser foot and a straight stitch. Try a length of 2.5.

How to Make a Tablecloth with a Circular Hem

Hand Stitching

If you don’t have a sewing machine, you can easily hand stitch around the hem. It is a long way around so do it in front of the television in the evening. Hand stitching can actually be quite relaxing. The best stitches to use for the hem are slip stitch or running stitch.

Further Reading: Hemming Stitch

Running stitch is the easiest and is a simple up and down motion. As the tablecloth will be washed repeatedly, use a strong thread which is threaded double through the needle. The smaller the running stitches the stronger the hem will be.

How to Make a Tablecloth with Running Stitch

Slip stitch takes a little longer but will result in an almost invisible and neat hem that where the stitching cannot be seen on the outside.

*How to Make a Tablecloth with Slip Stitch*

Pressing

By now your tablecloth is probably a bit squashed from all the handling, so give it a final press. This will also make the hems sit flatter.

Decorative Ideas

Tablecloths don’t need to be plain! You can add an applique for special occasions and seasons, some embroidery letters or embroidery flowers. Pom poms, lace and ric-rac make great borders and edging and are easy to sew.