Thursday, May 15, 2014

Small Tablecloth Tutorial - ALYOF


My goal this month for A Lovely Year of Finishes was to sew up a new tablecloth for my remodeled kitchen.  I also thought I would include a tutorial in case anyone wanted  to make their own.  It is super simple!

BTW - This is the same process I use for finishing the edges of unlined dinner napkins and curtains in case those are on your to-do list. 





The first step is to get the fabric pre-washed (to remove shrinkage) and then pressed.  I use either starch or a starch alternative like Best Press to get it really nice and flat.




 You will want to remove the selvages and square up the pressed fabric to the size you need.  When cutting your fabric to size, you will need to compensate for the 2.5" you will loose in the finished edging. 





 I always ensure my cut piece is nice and square by folding it into a triangle so I can measure it on my cutting mat.




 At your ironing board, fold down 1/4" and press to the wrong side around all 4 sides of the cloth..  I use a small ruler to help with this.  
You can also mark your fabric with a line if that is easiest to follow.  
(Using Best Press on this step will help to ensure the fold doesn't open up in handling.)





 Next, with the 1/4" still pressed down, you will fold in and press an additional 1" on all 4 sides of the cloth.  Once again, the use of starch or Best Press will keep the folds from opening up.





On a flat surface, open up the 1" fold but keep the 1/4" fold, down.  In the corners, draw a line at 45 degrees through the fold marks.  I use the 45 degree mark on my ruler to line up with either the edge of the cloth or the fold mark.  Remember to mark all four corners.



Now fold the corners right side together (keeping the 1/4" folded down).  The outer edge of the cloth should be lined up and come to a point. Sew on the pencil line, remembering to back stitch at the beginning and end of the line.  Sew all four corners.


Trim the corner about 1/4" from the stitched line.  I will also trim away some of the bulk at the corner where the fold is.



 Now just fold in that corner and you will get a nice mitered corner with a sharp point.  Give all the edges another press.


 On the ironing board, I also pin down the fold so it is ready for topstitching.


In a nice contrasting or complimentary thread (your choice), stitch along the inside fold about 1/16" from the edge.  Remember to backstitch when you start out.  To turn the corners, put the needle down right in the miter, lift the presser foot and turn. I also backstitch at the end.



 A wonderful finish to the back of your tablecloth!


 Now if I can just find time to finish painting my chairs, I can start to enjoy my new little eating area.

ALYoF2014 

Having made no progress what-so-ever on my April ALYOF project, I am pleased I accomplished this month's goal.  A big thanks to Sew Bittersweet Designs for helping me hold myself accountable in finishing up some of these older projects.  

And I finished this one up so early in the month.....Hurray!





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May Finishes

16 comments:

Jasmine said...

This was so helpful. I always struggle with my corners on projects like this. I have been planning to make a table cloth this stunner, so perfect timing.

Cathy said...

So pretty! I really need to make one of those myself. Thanks for the tutorial

Sarah said...

Great tutorial. Thank you! I'm curious what type of fabric you would use for napkins.

Val's Quilting Studio said...

Your tablecloth really made this corner cozy!! Time for tea!

Kris said...

That is a lovely finish...love the corners.

Shauna said...

wonderful tutorial, I am going to have to remember it. those corners look great.

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

I use nice quality quilter's cotton. But I am sure you could also use a nice linen blend and that would work.

Kathleen said...

Nice tip! Now all I have to do is remember it when I need it :)

Doreen said...

Great tutorial!!! Yup....needs those chairs!!!! LOL!!!!

Jenny Bonynge said...

TOO clever for words...!

auntie sash said...

Love the way you did your corners. I'm trying to think how I could do that on my binding. My corners always stick out in weird little points and I have to handstitch the daylights out of them to keep everything tucked in. Love the bright colors you chose too!

Wendy said...

Beautifully done! this is an excellent tutorial - towards the end I realised I actually made some napkins like this, following a pattern in a book, it really is a lovely finish and I'd forgotten about it!

SIMPLESEW said...

Hopping over from linky party Such a Sew and Sew, excellent tute, thanks

Quilting Stories said...

Very nice tablecloth and great tutorial!

Val's Quilting Studio said...

Perfect post to rejuvenate under our dots theme Cynthia!! Hope you are enjoying your tablecloth!

Anita in Florida said...

Great tut...those corners are really perfect! Thanks for the idea.

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