Tutorials | Simply Square Tablecloth

Measuring approximately 69” x 69” (175cm x 175cm), I created this tablecloth for my square dining room table that measures a neat 47” (120cm) square. This design will also of course work nicely for occasional tables, or larger dining tables, whether they are square or not. Simply adjust the measurements accordingly.

MATERIALS

MAIN FABRIC : 44/45” (112/115 cm) wide – 4½ yards (3¾ metres) – allow for pattern matching, if required

BORDER FABRIC : 44/45” (112/115cm) wide – ¾ yard (60 cm)

NOTIONS : Coordinating thread

FABRICS I’M USING :

Main Fabric – Kaffe Fassett for Rowan Fabrics, GP#61 Verbena in Red

Border Fabric – Quilting cotton in Black

 

INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1 : Now, I spent many hours pondering the seams of this tablecloth, and how I would handle them. Of course, my fabric wasn’t wide enough for me to avoid having a seam, and I really didn’t want to simply have a seam down the centre of the table. I really didn’t like that idea, not with a square table. It messes with my sense of symmetry. I came to the conclusion that I would have to cut three panels – one large centre panel, and two narrower panels for the sides, as you can see in the diagram below. This way, I’d have seams, but they’d be along the edge of my table, not in the way at all. And visually, I’d have the lovely design over most of my table for me and my guests to enjoy.

{Note: click on the images below to enlarge them if you want to see a more detailed view}

As for how exactly I’d tackle sewing the seams and avoid lumpy surfaces to unbalance dinner plates and all, I’ll get to that later.

So, let’s get started. First, to create our three panels of fabric, cut your fabric into two equal lengths of 69” (175cm) as shown below.

STEP 2 : Take one piece of fabric and fold it in half lengthwise, ie. selvedge to selvedge. Measure 13¼” (33.5 cm) from selvedge and trim through both layers of fabric.

STEP 3 : With right sides together, pin the selvedge of one “skinny” length to the selvedge of the full-width length, matching the pattern as you go. Now, when you look at my finished tablecloth, you may notice that I haven’t matched the pattern on my seams. That’s not because I didn’t want to, I just couldn’t, for the life of me, find the repeat in this fabric, so I gave up trying. It worked out just fine, I think.

STEP 4 : Using your machine foot as a guide, sew the pieces together, stitching approximately ¼” (5 mm) from the selvedge inside edge.

STEP 5 : Place fabric right-side down on your ironing board, and using a steam iron, press the seams towards the outside edge of the tablecloth, ie. towards the unstitched side of the thinner length of your cloth.

STEP 6 : Turn fabric over and give it a good press over the seam with your steam iron.

How amazing are the colours in this fabric! It’s such a vibrant design, I just adore it. I’m looking forward to seeing it on my table.

STEP 7 : Now, about those seams. I haven’t sewn seams really for several years. Well OK, decades since I’d made myself skirt and pants suits, fully lined and placketed trench coats, dresses, blouses etc. I knew I could do a full-on proper French seam, but that’d be so lumpy under our dinner plates. Not good. I deliberated whether to press the seams open rather than as we’ve done above, and then stitch each side of the seam, but that just seemed (no pun intended) too laborious, and in my mind I could see those little seams getting puckered and nasty after a spin through the washing machine.

Here’s my solution. This is why I am keeping the selvedges on, just in case you wondered. Turn your fabric over, right side down, so the seam is facing you. With your shears, following the line of the print, trim the selvedge of the narrower fabric to a ¼” from the seam, leaving the other selvedge uncut. Like this…

Now, turn you fabric to the right side and give your seam a good once-over with the steam iron again.

STEP 8 : Set your machine to a zigzag stitch. Now, I’m using my 35 y.o. Husqvarna, and I’ve put my setting to 2 for the stitch length, and 2 for the stitch width. This makes your zigzag stitch 2 mm wide and 2mm long. You’ll have to work out the settings for your machine, but it should look something like this…

Now, keeping your eye on your machine foot, guide the fabric through so that your zigzag stitch just catches either side of the edge of your selvedge.

I haven’t pinned my seam in place. If you feel you’d rather be safe than sorry, go ahead and pin first. I just always have done that, since I was 15 y.o. and sewed my first skirt from a newspaper pattern I’d cut from a little dart-free batik skirt I had in my wardrobe. No pins, if I can possibly avoid it – no pins! Of course, sometimes I’m really sorry, and end up doing time with the unpicker. Not fun!

Now you have a seam that won’t fray, because your selvedge just won’t do that, and you have a nice flat seam that will hardly be noticed. Give your seam a good steam press once more.

STEP 9 : To finish off the seam, turn your fabric to the right side, and guide your machine foot in a straight stitch about ¼” from the seam. That will hold the cut selvedge inside the seam neatly in place.

Give it a final press with the steam iron, and you’re done. Now for the border.

We have a few options here. We could simply hem the edge, but I think that even though it’s neat and quick, it’s not the finish I want. I’m going to give this cloth a 1¾” border with nice mitred corners.

STEP 10 : Cut your border fabric into strips of 2½” widths.

First, fold your fabric so it’s easier to cut. Take the folded edge of your fabric and put the two ends together.

Next, take the selvedge edges and pull them up to the folded edges.

Now, cut 8 strips of 2½” (6.5 cm) widths.

So now, you should have 16 strips altogether, each 2½” (6.5 cm) wide by 44/45″ (112/115 cm) long, i.e. the full width of your fabric, selvedge to selvedge.

STEP 11 : Trim ½” (1¼ cm) off the selvedge edges of each strip. Take 2 strips, right sides facing, and sew a ¼” (6 mm) seam along the ends. Press open.

I’ll be updating this page with further instructions very soon! Thanks for your patience.