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How to Sew a Banded Tablecloth

A banded tablecloth adds a bit of color or texture to a dining room table. The band, sewn along the four sides of the cloth, lets you use a narrower width of fabric for the main body of the tablecloth without needing to stitch two widths together to cover the table completely. When you stitch the band together, you will miter the corners, which makes sharp points at each corner. Mitering looks tricky at first, but is simple once you get the hang of it.

Things You'll Need

Measuring tape
2-3 yards linen or other home-decor weight fabric, 54 inches wide
4 yards linen or home decor weight fabric in a contrasting color or pattern
Scissors
Straight pins
Matching thread
Sewing machine
Marker or tailor's chalk
Iron and ironing board

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the width and length of the table you're making the cloth for.
- 2
  Cut the first piece of linen so that it is 6 inches wider than the table's width and 6 inches longer. If the table is 55 inches wide by 72 inches long, cut a 61-by-78 piece of fabric. This is fabric A.
- 3
  Cut the second piece of fabric into two strips that each measure the length of the table plus 16 inches long and 8 inches wide. For a 55-by-72 table, cut two strips that are 88 inches by 8 inches. These are Fabric B and C. Cut two more strips that measure the width of the table plus 16 inches by 8 inches. For a 55-by-72 inch table, cut two strips that are 71 inches by 8 inches. These are Fabric D and E.
- 4
  Lay Fabric A flat with the right side facing up. Lay Fabric B on top of it, lining up the long sides. Fabric B should extend beyond the ends of Fabric A by 8 inches on each side. Pin the fabrics together.
- 5
  Stitch Fabric A to Fabric B along the edge with a 1/2 inch seam.
- 6
  Repeat steps 4 and 5 with Fabrics C, D, and E, lining up the edges, pinning and stitching together with a 1/2 inch seam. Each strip of fabric extends beyond Fabric A by 8 inches on the sides.
- 7
  Fold the tablecloth in half to form a triangle, with the right sides facing in. The fold of the fabric should be at a 45 degree angle. Extend the ends of Fabric B, C, D and E from the corners of the triangle, so that the triangle has two small squares on two corners.
- 8
  Use the marker or tailor's chalk to extend the 45 degree angle on the fold down to the strips of fabric that make up the band. You are mitering the corners to give the tablecloth sharp corners.
- 9
  Stitch the fabric together along the lines you drew extending the 45 degree fold line. Trim off the excess fabric, cutting off the two squares of fabric.
- 10
  Unfold the triangle, then re-fold it the opposite direction so that once again there are two squares of fabric on the ends of the triangle. The right sides should face together again. Repeat steps 8 and 9 to miter the two remaining corners.
- 11
  Unfold the tablecloth so that it's rectangular or square in shape. Iron the cloth to get rid of any creases and drape over your table.

Sewing