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How to Make a Tailored Tablecloth

Tailored tablecloths are easy to construct from existing tablecloths or from fabric lengths. Tailored tablecloths add elegant structure to dining rooms by creating a polished, refined silhouette in your chosen fabric. However, tailored tablecloths also create safety and convenience for tables used for crafting or for children; tablecloths tailored to fit a table don't wrinkle like normal tablecloths might, and can't be accidentally pulled from the table. The only drawback of using a tailored tablecloth is that it probably will not be easily interchangeable for use on other tables. Tailoring a tablecloth requires fabric and a few basic sewing tools.

Instructions

Preparation
- 1
  Measure the table to which you are tailoring the tablecloth. The relevant dimensions are length, width, and drop -- how far down the legs of the table you wish the tablecloth to fall. For a tailored tablecloth, which will be stretched tight to the table and won't allow diners to push the cloth aside with their legs, the ideal drop length is from the edge of the table to 1 foot off the chair seat.
- 2
  Wash and dry the fabric with hot water and on high heat prior to cutting and sewing to prevent unwanted and irritating shrinkage that may render your tailored tablecloth too small after sewing.
- 3
  Cut the fabric to the appropriate specifications. For round and square tables, the fabric length should be the table length plus twice the drop plus 2 inches; the width should be the table width plus twice the drop plus 2 inches. For a round or oval table, follow the same equation, using the diameter at the widest point as the length and the diameter at the narrowest point as the width.
Square &Rectangular Tablecloths
- 4
  Cut a square out of each corner that is the size of the drop plus 2 inches. For example: for a table with a 6-inch drop, cut an 8-inch square out of each corner.
- 5
  Pin the straight edges of the cut square together and stitch, on each corner. The tablecloth should now fit smoothly over the edge of the table with the drop pulled snugly against the edge of the table and its legs.
- 6
  Hem the tablecloth with a 1-inch seam allowance. Add any desired embellishment, like ribbon, corner bows or decorative grommets.
Round &Oval Tablecloths
- 7
  Sew a 1-inch hem around the edge of the tablecloth, turning every few stitches to make sure the seam follows the proper curve. Leave a 2-inch gap unstitched.
- 8
  Measure a length of 1/4- to 3/4-inch-wide elastic that is about 80 percent of the circumference of the table. The shorter you trim the ribbon, the more tightly the elastic will pull against the table.
- 9
  Attach a safety pin to each end of the elastic. Pin one end to the fabric near the gap in the hem. Use the other closed safety pin to guide the elastic all the way through the casing. Stitch the two ends of elastic together tightly.
- 10
  Hand-stitch the gap shut.

Sewing