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How to Make a Childproof Tablecloth

Make a childproof tablecloth that will protect your table from the spills and splatters of mealtime with children. Modern vinyl oilcloth is waterproof and it has a soft fabric backing to cushion the top of your table. You can clean it with a sponge, dry it with a paper towel and avoid extra laundry. This heavy, sturdy cloth will also help protect the finish on your table from dents and rings.

Things You'll Need

Oilcloth
Yardstick
Shears
Sewing machine
Embroidery thread
Sewing thread

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the oilcloth the desired size of the tablecloth.
- 2
  Thread the sewing machine with embroidery thread in the top and regular sewing thread in the bobbin. Embroidery thread covers more completely than regular sewing thread.
- 3
  Set the machine to sew a zigzag stitch with a medium width and a short stitch length. Check the stitch length by sewing a short seam on a scrap of oilcloth. The stitches should not lay on top of each other and you should not be able to see the fabric between the stitches.
- 4
  Sew all the way around the edge of the oilcloth. Stitch so that the needle goes down just beyond the edge of the fabric on the right side of the stitches.
- 5
  Finish the edges with thread in a contrasting color for decorative touch.

Sewing