Well, everyone has already voiced the concern I share over possible stains on your beautiful quilts. -- But what a loving gesture.

Beautiful quilts make a beautiful showing but.... I'd be so scared someone would spill something horrid on one of them.

It was beautiful. You are so brave to allow bbq to be eaten on your quilts! Or did you use a clear vinyl
covering?

This is just such a lovely idea and it looks great!!! Thanks for sharing :)

Simply beautiful!

Beautiful! This is a great idea. Thank you for sharing!

Wonderful!!! I'd be afraid of staining them!!! Your bestie's lucky to have you

Great idea there

Totally awesome! The quilts are being used, no fear of staining them and then taking them to be washed when the bbq is done! That's just the way it should be. They were made to be used after all, not locked away in a closet!

I agree. More power to her for not worrying about it and giving her friend a special day.

Happy 70th Clara!

I have used quilts as table cloths. I will probably use them in the future much more than I have because some of my quilts have been in the closet with no use whatsoever because I have gotten bigger beds. I figure that if they get dirty, they wash. I am also starting to use my good china and my china tea pots. I am not getting younger. My kids can get their own "good things." LOL

I have used several quilts on my table, but I cover them with heavy clear vinyl which I purchase at the fabric store. It keeps them clean, spill proofed and the colors show through perfectly.

I sometimes have a quilt on my dining room table just to have it out to look at. If I were to use it as a table cloth I would have to put clear plastic over it. Just couldn't leave it naked when eating. Your tables look lovely and such a warm feel.

No clear covering - just chow down everyone and off to the laundry mat the next morning!

Wow! that is just lovely. I am sure they all enjoyed those.

You did it right, the quilts look so stunning.

I know how you feel but I made a lovely double sided quilt for my table and I am so pleased I did. It is a small antique dining table and on one side I used a patchwork fabric and on the other a Christmassy one, it looks lovely at all time of the year and of course being quilted protects my lovely table. I don't seem to have any problems with stains as I just put them through a cold water rinse and everything comes out, BTW It is over 3 years old and looks as good as new.

Carslo I love your table designs they look lovely :)

Wow! Looks gorgeous!

Guess it boils down to: wash fabric before sewing vs. don't wash before sewing......wash table quilt vs. protect table quilt...............in the final analysis, we are who we are and whichever methods we use, it's "right" for us.

What a wonderful setting! I'm sure your friend loved it! And I agree, that's what laundry soap is for lol.

I have never used so many at once--beautiful. I do use them regularly on my tables and made a special one for thanksgiving that I posted here before. I teased my guests and told them that anyone that spilled was going to have their name embroideried (sp) by the stain. No spills so far. If an accident happens (and it will eventually) so be it.

That's a good way to show off your quilts.
My antique table is protected by it's own quilt....which pleases the cats.

One of my table topper
 

I have been searching for pics of my table toppers and have eventually found a couple must it has reminded met to take a pic of the latest one. The table they cover and protect is a antique oak drop leafed table which I adore as it is the perfect size for a single diner me so a quilted topper is the ideal solution.

As for stains, I haven't any! I wash them on a low temp wash, or just a cold rinse with salt and all marks disappear, and this particular one is years old and has not stains AT ALL :)

And if I have enough fabric, which I did in this case, I make them reversible.

I've made several quilts for my kitchen table and use them all the time. I must admit, I used very busy fabrics that would show stains very easily.

What a beautiful barbeque! What a great memory for your friend.

I have one quilt that I use regularly on our table...I just love the feel of it on there. The quilts in our house that have the most love are the ones that are dragged about and used during movie night...I have one my mother made when I was a kid right now outside, it was a "fort" and then it rained so it's left outside a few days until it's dry (it keeps getting rained on)...no biggy, it's been washed a million times, it'll be fine.

My daughter has had a quilt for about 5 years that I made her (she's now 12)...and she regularly wraps herself in it when she's drawing and using markers. I noticed a couple of marker stains that didn't come out in the wash...you know what? She remembers what she was drawing at the time and it's a happy memory for her. Maybe she will remember still when she has kids and lets them use the quilt.

The setting is gorgeous, but it gave me a 'mom moment', all I could think was "BBQ sauce and quilts???"

What would be really neat is to raffle them off during the cookout. I just love the look of your cookout set up!

I love how bright and cheery your table quilt is!

They look very festive and colorful.

They look so lovely. You are very brave to use them this way. Good for you!