at thanksgiving, i thought i need a table cloth ......Christmas is coming... i'm thinking table cloth....... ok obviously i can't make either this yr..... thanksgiving fabs gone now....i think....... But gonna try collecting xmas fabs and make one up for next yr....ok long story short....... to make a tablecloth..... do i just pretty much make a quilt top and back with just fabric? i thought maybe i could do a thanksgiving on one side/christmas on the other? We lay out our food on a long folding table. i thought it would be pretty to have it decorated with a table cloth..... :D

Are you thinking of a tableCLOTH or a table RUNNER?

The reversable idea is a great idea...but which are you making?

Sounds like a great idea Bev, got any ideas of patterns in mind yet? :D

cloth hun, to cover the whole table. my folding table is ugly brown lol
we put all the food on it then we help ourselves, AND more room on kitchen(eating) table

Just thinking Bev, if the table is covered with food mostly, then why dont you just do a border around a plain piece of fabric, so that the edge that drapes over will showcase all your lovely patchwork, less work that way, and you might just get it done for this xmas!! :lol:

Not as of yet, It was just a thought floating around in my head. Wish I'd thought of it sooner to grab thanksgiving fabs, but thats ok.... Theres always next yr. I figure maybe I could start saving now and in the meantime dig up some cute ideas..... Maybe I'll steal Henry's idea and use a whole cloth for center and other fabs around it /boarder style????? We'll see...... I'll let the fabs talk to me.... I'm Phycho..... no wait. That's phychic. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I was just thinking that to. A pretty Xmas fabric...... kinda plain, then the border..... Hey I must be getting good. I'm starting to think like you quilters...... Ok no wait..... That is one crazy thought :twisted: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

:lol: :wink:

I like something to line it with, so it has more substance and lays "flatter" on the table. Flannel would be a good choice.

Awwwwww good idea.

tablecloth pattern
http://www.quiltingboard.com/posts/list/12990.page

kichen projects patterns
http://sewing.about.com/od/freeproje...ngpatterns.htm

Remember, things will get spilled on it, so it needs to be able to stand up to frequent washings. I like having a little "body" underneath as well, cause I have wood tables and I like having a little protection.

I have made several tableclothes and just buy 2 1/2 yds and hem it, fits my table and about 3 inch overhang, more gets in the way. Now is a good time for Xmas material at a good price.

Just a suggestion: After you get it done, spray it with Scotchguard to help it stay pretty--resistant to spills that way. Its still washable even witht hat on it.

I did exactly what sewmuch did. bought pretty Christmas fabric and just hemed it. Also I put a flannel backed tablecloth under it. Also on a small table (like a card table) I bought 1 1/4 yds to make it a sq. table cloth and used that also . what ever works.

A quilting teacher told me once that flannel makes ggod batting for runners, placemats and tablecloths - not too thick and lies flat. Just be sure to launder and dry a couple of times to make sure the flannel shrinks totally. It has worked great so far for me.

i love the idea of gorgeous tablecloths, but the idea of getting stains that won't come out makes me feel sick. it may sound tacky, but whatever you do, i would protect all that work with clear plastic the same size as the cloth itself. that way, everyone gets to see the artwork, and you won't go crazy with every drip of gravy.

think about matching napkins for each cloth or each side. extras of course,
and NO plastic. LOL!

That's a great idea of covering the tablecloth with clear plastic...why not make a table quilt? A neighbor friend of mine has a quilt on her table and it really looks nice.

i've learned through bad experience what it feels like to work hard and have something ruined the first time out of the barn. i try to protect myself now. and i don't feel like murdering the one stains it (sometimes me) and no one feels guilty!

Bev, I have made my mom 2 table toppers. I did the dissappearing 9 patch. They both turned out really cute. For the stuffing, I used 2 layers of warm & natural. I wanted it smooth so glasses etc. wouldn't tip if setting on a seam.
I have some left over thamksgiving & halloween fabric if you would be interested. Not a lot, but some. Let me know.

Billie

The idea of using Scotchguard is a great one! I made some nice placemats but was a little scared to use them. I'll spray them and use them now. Thanks!

I think that both ideas are very good ones. Be sure to let us know what you decide to do for your table cloth.

Happy Holidays,
Cheryl

thanks everyone for all your ideas. its gonna make it alot easier for me now

A quilting teacher told me once that flannel makes ggod batting for runners, placemats and tablecloths - not too thick and lies flat. Just be sure to launder and dry a couple of times to make sure the flannel shrinks totally.

Another great idea :) :) Thank you. I wouldn't quilt a tablecloth because even seams can cause a wine glass to be tippy - or is that tipsy?
I've stayed away from this kind of thing so far, but flannel sounds like just the answer to make me try. Thanks!!!

i thought of going with a full fabric top, then wide boarder that hangs down a bit

You know what, I'll check at my store to see if we still have some fall/thanksgiving fabrics...we did last week -and our thanksgiving was in October! Not many of the quilting fabrics are on sale right now, but the whole section is at 50% off the week after Christmas (OMG, I'm going to be soooooo poor!)

aren't you a sweetheart, but don't go out of your way. i can't afford anything right now hun....We've been saving our money like crazy cuz we might be moving next door. The house we're renting is for sale yet again....... Long story :x

bev, what size is your table? i have two cloths no longer in use, but in excellent condition. both with napkins. but they are not very big. if you can use them alone of for the back side of a holiday cloth, i can send them.

one is a pretty blue with a kinda loose weave - one is a steel grey brocade (long story) oval. neither color suits now. both permanent press but you can still quilt through them if you use them as backs..

if you can use them, pm for more info. let me know your table size(s).

48 long X 24 wide PMing you

I use flannel all the time for my table runners, table cloths, and place mats. It holds together much better with frequent washing (anyone ever have a meal that something doesn't drip or spill?) and it lies flat without a lot of ironing.

Caution: wash and dry in the dryer at least twice (after zig zag stitching each end of the flannel length) so it's shrunk as much as it's going to.

Bev a couple of the fabrics I sent would make nice table cloths they are "out of the box" colors for any holiday. I bought another length of the pinkish plaid for just that. It will make a nice table liner protector too with the flannel and another fabric for a different season. Unless you've already used it for a pretty quilt.

Hugs,
Sharon

bev, forget about the shipping. my daughter says she'll help out there. she's happy to find a home for them.

pm your addy. i will send as soon as i can.

barbara butterflywing

We put up three 6' tables for Christmas Dinner. I bought plaid flannel that is 54 inches wide and heavier than regular flannel. We use it every year. It washes beautifully, and then all I have to do the next year is spritz it with water and fluff it in the dryer. No ironing.
Fluff and go! Oh, the backround of the plaid is white so there has been no fading.

I haven't done any sewing in about a week. Haven't felt good. The cold really gets to my knees (arthritis) and I have to climb stairs to my sewing room where theres no heat.... Hoping to sew today tho. My Aunt gave me some robe fleece to put on back of Davids quilt..... I may just bring my sewing machine down stairs.... I like the idea of the flannel... I love the fabs you sent. They'll work awesome
THANK YOU for keeping me sewing ANGEL GIRL :wink: