Sewing a Large Tablecloth

Lay the entire project out flat on a surface large enough to spread it completely flat.

Measure across the project and mark the edges at multiple places at the desired width using a washable fabric marker. Mark the points close together, preferably no more than 6 inches apart. Also mark at 1/4 and 1/2 inches away from the edge of the fabric.

Connect the marks you have made along the project, making three distinct straight lines along all edges of the cloth.

Trim away the excess fabric that is on the outside of the first set of marks, the marks closest to the outside of the fabric. Use the line as your guide to keep your cut line as straight as possible.

Fold the cloth along the second line, the one you made 1/4 inch away from the edge. Iron the fabric to keep the cloth folded.

Fold again along the mark you made 1/2 inch away from the edge and press in place. Pressing the edges will help ensure you do not have uneven edges after sewing and that your stitches are straighter once sewn.

Attach any borders or edges you intend to sew and pin in place. For additional support, you can also pin the pressed edge to ensure it stays pressed neatly while you are guiding the project under the needle.

Prepare to sew in an area that will help support the weight and bulk of the tablecloth. This may mean setting up tables behind your sewing machine or folding the tablecloth in a way that allows you to easily unfold it as you sew.

Thread the machine and insert a fully wound bobbin. If you run out of bobbin before finishing a seam on the project, cut the needle thread and remove the project. Wind a new bobbin and begin sewing approximately 1 inch before where the thread ran out and sew directly over the previous stitches. After sewing, trim the excess thread away.

Place the project under the needle and begin sewing slowly. Remove any pins before they reach the needle. Hitting a pin with the needle can break the needle or the pin and cause personal injuries or damage to the machine.