So, there I was, taking a class. I had almost completed my table topper, when a classmate asked me how I was going to cover it. "What do you mean, cover it?" I asked.

Her: "You know, so it won't get food on it."

"But it's a table topper. It's going to get food on it," I responded.

Her: "Exactly. You need to cover it in vinyl or a laminate to protect it.

Me: "No, I want it antiqued."

I was actually shocked. I must admit that the thought never crossed my mind to cover the table topper. I figured that in 80 years (I'm being optimistic), when I'm dead and gone, and my descendants are using the aforementioned table-topper (again, my optimism), it will be like an archaeology exercise. There will be evidence of past meals that can be sifted through. "Look, Great-grandma Mattee must have LOVED ketchup!"

Anyway, I won't cover it. I understand completely why some people would. What I don't understand is that this woman seemed truly appalled that I choose not to. I mean really, it is MY project, right?

Anyone else have experience with classmates being appalled at your quilting behavior?

LOL.. your right.. You made it, its yours.. So if you want ketchup on go right ahead..I'm behind you 100 percent!!!!! :lol: :thumbup: :lol: :thumbup: :lol:

Perhaps to her a table topper is for decoration and not a tablecloth.

She probably stores her quilts instead of using them too.

I vote for ketchup.

Well, I am surprised, I've made, and sold, a kagillion table toppers and no one ever covers them. I have several, one in particular a gal did an amazing job on, and I put stuff on it all the time. Maybe she is from that group that advocated putting plastic on the furniture so it wouldn't get dirty??

kinda like putting plastic covers on your living room furniture!

Exactly!! Why go thru all the time to make it and not use it as it was meant to be used!!

For me, its the ones that always say "Let me see the back" then they "Hmmmmmmmph". Really makes me angry

Personally I think covering it with vinyl would be tacky. But that's just me. :)

I tell people that the toppers cover my tables so that I don't have to worry about cleaning the table as it has a nice cover via the topper.

My first thought was "Is there plastic on her furniture too?

I'll put the mustard next to your ketchup :)

LOL, that is too funny~ I cannot for the likes of me figure out how to laminate a table topper!! And why on earth would anyone want to do that!

I make chenille baby bibs, and I hear all of the time "they are too pretty to get dirty"...

they are bibs!

My Mother always gave baby quilts away and she would get so mad when the Mother wouldn't use them because the baby might get it dirty. All of the quilts she made for my daughter were used and still are being used :)

Remember the couches that had vinyl covering in the 70's an 80's??? soooooo funny...

to each their own I guess??

I vote for using them :)

does'nt that just get you . I have a friend,she has a long arm business and when anyone brings her a quilt the first thing she does is look for the scant qt inch. I won't take her any more of my quilts to quilt cause it really ticks me . All i want to do is scream "hey who made you seam allowance queen " my I feel better -ha

Right behind ya, with ketchup bottle in hand!

lol you should have told her as soon as you got it done you were going to have it laminated. Geez people make me laugh sometimes.

That wasn't a member of the quilt police; that was a quilter without taste.

A table topper sounds interesting. Is it quilted, just the pieced top or matter of choice? I agree, what you do with it is your choice you made it! :)

I do not have a table topper but I do have several of my mothers crochet dolies. I do not cover them . I use them. She would not have it any other way.

I like the way you think about the ketchup stains. lol.. I am 100% with you. USE THEM.

Sewwwwwwwwwwwwwww... you final met them! :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

This particular table topper was a quilt-as-you-go piece.

A first for me! I never even thought to cover one! Dang!

Well if it is that pretty, it should be framed and put on a prominent wall OR in a drawer! Shoot, lay it out on the first table available for compilments!

LOL... some folks, so then you'd have to dust the cover??
instead of throwing it in the wash, used loved and warn out is good for me.

What would have come out of my mouth, might have been "really" never would have thought of that?
Someone mentioned Chocolate the other day and some of the collection process of the beans,(not here) my anwser was along the lines of "Really, bummer not something I'm willing to give up, sorry I'm a woman and thats a staple!!

P.S ... Pass the 1000 Island, and Enjoy using your stuff your way :)

i would have had to ask her, do you cover your placemats too? how ... odd? i never heard of such a thing...and i have table runners all over the place, on our end tables, coffee table, 2 islands, the dining room table, our night stands, dressers...they are all there to protect the furniture and they get tossed into the laundry when they need it. i have been to a couple resturants that put table clothes on the tables then cover them with a glass top...but i hate that too...i like using placemats and table clothes and runner, linen napkins...that's just me...
and of course it is yours to treat as you will...some people are funny ;)

"But it's a table topper. It's going to get food on it," I responded.
*************************

this is my opinion, too. Use it or don't make it.

I wonder if that person covers her quilts so they don't get drool on them. You know when you are sleeping and drooling???????? LOL LOL. Pass the ketchup please!!!!!!!!!!

Too funny!!! I wouldn't take them to her either!!!

That's why my placemats are plastic because I don't want my log cabin to be the backdrop for a sloppy Joe. lol Honestly, I use plastic because I have not made any quilted ones. Some day..... Thanks for the laugh.

Ack...laminate it ! How weird.

My grandmother always had plastic "table cloths" over her cloth table cloths. I will NOT do it. I can wash the cloth when it gets dirty!!!!

How in the heck would you go about laminating it, anyway?

No accounting for nosey people. If you don't want it preserved, then don't. I'm sure you are old enough to decide what you want to do with your table topper. Enjoy it.

Oh oh......I am taking a class tomorrow evening, making a QAYG table topper. I better watch out for the quilt police in case they have moved here!!!!

Mine will also be used. Ketchup, mustard, relish, pasta sauce...you name it, it WILL get spilled on it. And washed to be used again. :)

Patti

I made my table toppers and used Thinsulate for the batting so they could double as a hot pad on the table, no way am I covering them. I have a quilt in the car that my grandkids call the picnic quilt and it has had all manner of stuff spilled and dropped on it, washes beautifully.

That sounds like the same category of person who doesn't believe in burning pretty candles. This same category of person can't possibly have much fun in life.

oh please...don't got there with the covers. LOL.....so my early years...

To each his own, I use what I make!

My mom purchased some quilted placemats for Thanksgiving one year. Year after year we would take these same placemats out for Thanksgiving dinner and my sister and I would laugh until we cried at all the stains.

I'm going to miss that this year, both my mom and sister are gone. :cry:

Don't cover it, memories are wonderful, stained or not. :thumbup: