tablecoth?
 

I would like to make quilted tablecloths - one rectangular, and one round. Does anyone have instructions or advice? What kind of batting would you use to make sure that the cloth drapes? Thanks so much!

Have only made a tablerunner. I guess just make sure it's washable.

I have seen Eleanor Burns make a tablecloth out of wide backing fabric. No batting or backing. I think she used a serger to do a rolled hem all the way around.

I'm keeping my eye on this post. Like to see what others have done.

If it is for a table cloth that will really see some use, I would just use a laminated fabric, cut to shape and be done. Just me. Maybe quilt some coordinating placemats or napkins. I have seen cotton laminates 56" wide.

I use flannellet for the batting, it washes up nice and drapes very good

Do you piece the top, use flannellet for batting and then use cotton for back? I'm thinking of piecing a big square for the round tablecloth, and then just cutting the round and put bias edging. would that work, if I use flannellet for batting? Is there any commercial batting that is sufficiently lightweight? Thanks!

Pick as quilt block you like and enlarge it, or use 6 or so and enlarge them--2 wide and 3 long maybe.

Round, you could use an 8 sided block instead of round.

I don't put batting in mine. I just add a backing. Carefully prewashed flannel would give some weight and help keep the tablecloth in place.

8 sided block?
 

Thank you! Can you give me an example of an 8-sided block?

I don't use batting either. If I used anything it would be flannel or just muslin.

I made a cloth out of an embroidered quilt top made by my DH's grandmother. I just backed it with flannel, no batting. It works well. I only use it for special occasions and cover it with clear plastic

Google "octagon quilt blocks" and you'll find several. Even hexagonal would give you an almost round shape. Look at normal square blocks. Often times if just the outside corners are cut off, you'll get a hexagon or octagon. The inside shape of a snowball block is octagon shaped, if that helps with ideas. And a kaleidoscopic block can be sort of rounded.

I go to a thrift store or yard sale, find a used table cloth of the correct size and shape. I make my top, square or rectangle, and then using the used cloth as backing, I birth a new table cloth. This is an easy way to make that round or oval cloth. I don't use any batting and quilt the new cloth ever which way seems best.

I made a tablecloth and used the insulated batting so that I could put hot pans on it. I also make them and my tablerunners two sided. Like for Thanksgiving I have fall colors and on the other side I make the same design but use Christmas colors. It works great and it cuts down storage space; like 2 for 1.

I have a quilt I use as a tablecloth. Were I to make another, I would make bigger, simple blocks and a wider border where plates, cups, etc. go. Reason being that we've had some spills because cups were on the seams.

the advantage to using a flat batting (eg., warm and natural or w & white) instead of a flannel is that the batting will let the seam allowances sink in and the top will not be a "bumpy" ...but stability of cups and glasses will still be a problem. One way to "piece" a block is to just overlap the seams and use decorative stitches to do the quilting and stitch the pieces together at the same time.In this case, a flannel center would be fine since there would not be the traditional bulk of seam allowances. A single, very large block, might be practical, especially if you use something like a star where the covering can be adjusted so that individual places for eaters can be positioned between the star blocks....or how about appliqueing placemats to the perimeter with only the very center as an actual block...

If you have a really nice pieced tablecloth, one possibility would be to have a piece of glass cut to match the table top. Then you'd only have to worry about spills over the edge.

I have made several tablecloths for my round table. I like to have seasonal ones, also I make a tablerunner to match for my buffet. I have made them with nothing inside and with W&N batting inside and I like the batting best. I make a large square that fits over it and drapes well. We do not eat on it, just remove it.

When I made my Christmas wreath tablecloth, I made a square for a round table and did as you said. Just big enough to drape over the edges. But we ate on mine.

This is quite encouraging. I've made a tablecloth for Christmas when the table is pulled out full length. The design defines the place settings. Many of the challenges with this cloth have been addressed here:
How to make glasses stable with the uneven thickness at seams.
How to minimize stains and washing
What to use as backing
I'm thinking I'll finish it as a quilt and hang it on the wall, maybe, maybe not.
Hoping it'll be finished for use by next Christmas, it's only been 5 yrs so far.

Here's the picture[ATTACH=CONFIG]399833[/ATTACH]The cloth is big enough for 12 people, but designed for 8. It's really pretty with my poinsetia china and table decorated with silk poinsetia and candles. Very elegant.

I have made table clothes like quilts and I use felt in the middle and it turns out real nice. Felt come in 60 wide on the bolt. Have a great time.

Mine has no batting -- just a cotton backing and minimal quilting. We eat on it every day. I've had no problems with glasses being unstable.

My choice would be flannel, lightweight drapable and durable

This answers my question about whether seams make wobbly spots.

I would definitely use either cotton flannel or felt for a table cloth.

I have made two table like cloths. One has flannel on the back and is great. The other has a very thin cotton batting and is good too. Must be sure it is not too thick.

I made on using Eleanor Burns Nana's garden pattern and I used the batting you use in pot holders so I can put hot dishes on it.

I have used flannel and it seems to work well...

Last year my quilt group did a friendship quilt. We each started with a square and passed it to another each month. I ended up with a beautiful quilt, much larger than expected. last month I cut the corners off and made it fit my table for a tablecloth. I used white muslin to back it and also have batting in it. I love it! It doesn't need a pad under it when you use it and it drapes nicely.

I made what I call a my utility quilt to be used for picnics, in the car in winter, blankets, where ever is a need. I measured my table and was sure that I made it large enough to hang over it 10 inches all around. Yes, it was scrappy, and the pattern I used was a snowball. Actually I call it "My snow balls chance in....." I got so tired of making snowballs. Anyway, it was layered with Hobbs 80/20 and the LAer did a pantos of butterflies. Perfect! I used it for a table cloth most of the holidays and people enjoyed it, washed up great, then into the car to go on a 10 day road trip. It was perfect for napping under in the car, and warm enough for those cold motel rooms. Now it's all washed up again and ready for company on St. Patrick's Day. You can't go wrong!

I have one on my kitchen table as we speak. It's paper pieced (tulips - Carol Doak patterns), and no batting, just flannel on back side. I just put big placemats on it when used for eating.
Karen

Just start making your blocks and lining them up where you want and you'll have a great table topper or table runner.
I love runners and placemats, they give a table such a homey look

Not batting goes into my tablecloths. The runners get a very light batting.

I have made table clothes for every season. I put them on my table and cover them with clear vinyl. I love them and
everyone else seems to enjoy them also.

Just wondering about the problem of the seams. Would it be better to press seam allowances open instead of both to one side?

I use heavy ivory flannel, works great

Had friend who made a quilt as you go log cabin double sided with no batting. If you think you may be able to work it out. It came from a very old magazine 10 years etc.
Try this site this adds batting which I think would make it too bumpy for a table clothe
Celtic knot

I use Pellon fleece interfacing for my table runners, but it's only 45" wide so it would have to be pieced for a tablecloth. Just butt the edges and overcast it together. I love the way it adds body, but not a lot of thickness so a candle won't upset. For a tablecloth, I wouldn't use anything. It will drape if it has enough drop. A one layer tablecloth does, so why wouldn't a two layer, plus the weight of the seams and thread. On the other hand, a friend uses vintage quilts that have old cotton batting for tablecloths and they work fine. I would use the Pellon fleece just to smooth out the seams and give the quilting a little definition. I don't care for the fusible.

To make a round tablecloth, make the quilt pattern you want only don't worry about the corner blocks. Fold the top in quarters, tie a pencil tied to a string, hold one end of the string at the point of the folded quilt top and draw a line as you move the pencil. Cut on the line, unfold and you have a circular quilt top. The distance between the endpoint and the pencil needs to half the desired size of the cloth. Add a little extra to allow for quilting. I've done a newspaper pattern with the string and pencil, too.