




I have an extra large dining table and find it almost impossible to find extra large tablecloths to fit it! The ones that I do find are so expensive I just cant justify buying them. So I decided to make my own out of tea towels/dish cloths. Here's what I did:
- I purchased a pack of 12 tea towels in mixed reds = $9.97 from a local discount chain store. Its best to get stripe or check ones as you can cheat and follow the straight lines when sewing together.
- Lay down the towels on the floor in the finished pattern you would like for your tablecloth (mine was 3 towels across and 4 down).
- Pin towels right side together along one side as shown in pic # 2 . Cut off the excess bulky seams with pinking shears (otherwise the tablecloth won't sit flat).
- Sew the sides together. Repeat this process. I joined 3 together along one side (see pic #3) then I repeated this to make 4 separate pieces of 3.
- Join (sew) all pieces together to make one whole piece (your finished tablecloth) making sure you line all the squares together at joins. Think like your quilting.
- Press with a hot iron.
All this and my tablecloth cost under $10. So happy with the end result. Hope your weekend is filled with super duper joy! Simone xx
Well done, Simone! It's a great idea, and, like all your projects, charming and an antidote to commercialism. The different patterns make a lovely fresh ensemble.
ReplyDeleteSO cute! I want :)
ReplyDeleteThat's so funny, I bought that same set ages ago, with the intention of making chairback covers! I still havent gotten around to it, but now Im feeling inspired, ta!
ReplyDeleteSue
Simone,
ReplyDeleteGreat look! Love the red and white, and love the tablecloth.
Marjorie
Oh, I love what u did... LOL, I remember those framed swimsuits!. Seems like ages ago u posted them
ReplyDeleteCheerful and it looks fab!
ReplyDeleteThat looks fab well done you. Emma xx
ReplyDeleteSimone I love it! I'll even make one myself, you made it sound so easy♥
ReplyDeleteCute!! You just have a fabulous way of pulling off these projects!! It looks awesome! Great tutorial!
ReplyDeleteShellagh
Hey Simone..see I knew you would do something creative with aprons..haha (previous blog) Love this idea with the tea towels, I love tea towels, my best friend and I fantasize about having a tea towel..shop, yes we are a sad pair. I also love curtains made from tea towels particularly if they are done like bunting, have a fab weekend, you will have to call in one day, you know you are always welcome anytime, cheers Katherine
ReplyDeleteyou just amaze me. love this! love this!
ReplyDeletexo
elyse
Hello,
ReplyDeleteBeen reading your blog for a little while now and thought I'd stop being a silent lurker :)
I really enjoy your blog and all your great ideas!! The tablecloth looks lovely! What a unique way to dress it up :)
I could do this.....wow...where do you find all your time? You so inspire me...your ideas are always the BEST in blogland...where is that book you need to put together sweet friend???
ReplyDeleteHi Simone-
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. My dad made a huge plywood tabletop that fits over my dining table when I need to seat more people. I have used 54" fabric to try to cover it, but it just skims the sides as the plywood top is huge. Your idea is wonderful. Easy, pretty, and functional.
Diane
Sooooo Cute, Simone! Have a lovely weekend!
ReplyDelete:-) Li by Creamy White
Now that is cool! Love the red, one of my fav colours :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so clever. I am passing this one onto my big sis. She will love it!!!
ReplyDeleteOh I LOVE this Simone, that is genius!! Looks fantastic and what a great price for such a great looking table cloth!! Thanks for sharing ~ Tina x
ReplyDeleteOooooooo love it--Another great idea for a shower gift. Or a gift for birthdays, Mother,s Day.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea.
Have a good weekend.
Melinda
Looks great! I really have to buy a sewing machine and....I totally love the bathing suits on your wall! have a lovely weekend!xx
ReplyDeleteVery original! I love the tablecloth, you are very talented!
ReplyDeleteTotally brilliant. I will attempt the same if I ever get a sewing maching although I guess I could hand sew! Enjoy your weekend, Simone. xx
ReplyDeletemiss you are quite clever!
ReplyDeletethis is adorable.
xoxox.
Oh simone--sooo cute! What a great idea.
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful, creative idea! I've seen so many cute dishtowel sets - perfect!
ReplyDeleteiamemmamusic.blogspot.com
I love it, Great idea ! So Happy looking!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea- I recently bought a body-pillow case to dissect and reconfigure as a table runner...too bad my sewing machine broke. Anyway, I LOVE the vintage swimsuits hanging in your dining room- so quirky! Perfection!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea Simone, and it would wash up so well. I just checked out your interview on Houzz. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteAngex
You are so clever...this is fantastic!! Happy weekend to you, Simone! xxoo
ReplyDeleteLove this Simone! It looks fabulous - will have to give it a go myself :) Enjoy your weekend x
ReplyDeleteAnother of your great ideas - love the stripes and checks! Leigh
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, love it.
ReplyDeleteSuch a fun and easy way to create a tablecloth!! Perfect for the beach house.
ReplyDeleteKarena Oh and I also adore the aprons as chair covers!
This is so clever! Came out so cute!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Simone, but how fantastic are the swimming cossies on the wall !!!!
ReplyDeleteTracey X
Oh you clever girl. Brilliant! Your talents for creating extraordinary out of the ordinary need to be published... somewhere... often. You are on the cusp of being 'discovered'.... hello, Oprah? ... and I knew you when you were a blog! A-M xx
ReplyDeleteThat's such a clever idea and very cheap too, tablecloths are so expensive. Your tablecloth is very pretty, I love it.:)
ReplyDeleteLOVE!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is so clever Simone, I love it!
ReplyDeletex
It´s a great idea. I take notice in my proyects. Have a Happy Weekend!! Kisses, Ana
ReplyDeleteHow clever you are Simone
ReplyDeletethis looks fab and 'super value'.. sorry couldn't help myself...
I've been saving some particular teatowels for yonks to make cushion covers... but keep running out and using them!! Have a great weekend.. xx Julie
This is absolutely lovely Simone, I think I might have been inspired to try it myself....my mother bought my daughter a sewing machine for Christmas and I have yet to try it - but this looks just the thing!!
ReplyDeleteYou may have mentioned this already, but can I ask what is in the frame on the wall - is it a swimsuit? I think I remember that you framed your daughter's dress, am I remembering right? Is that difficult to do?
Finally, love your mix and match kitchen chairs, I want to do that :)
Happy Week-end!
So cute, lovely!!!
ReplyDeletei love this. genius!
ReplyDeletesimone... you are a genious...
ReplyDeletei love your new table cloth!
have a sweet weekend,
justyna
Hi, Simone! So glad I found your beautiful blog this morning! I'm a vintage-loving girl, so I love the things I've seen here---fabulous tablecloth idea--I will be making one of these soon...thanks so much for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI'm your newest follower (of oh, so many!) and will be back often to see what's going on in your beautiful world!
I love love love this idea! I have some grain sacks that I would love to do this too...thanks for the inspiration today. Terri
ReplyDeleteso fun!!! whew... you have alot more patience than i do...
ReplyDeletehave a wonderful weekend xx pam
Hi Simone - I can see you're putting your sewing machine to good use...how clever and original!
ReplyDelete-marie
that's so pretty! thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
ReplyDeleteLove the reds...
Jane (artfully graced)
Looks great! Wouldn't it make a great picnic blanket?
ReplyDeleteLisa
You are so clever! Love this idea and you sure are putting your sewing machine to good use! It looks fabulous.
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend Sweet Friend!!
You did a great job! It looks so happy and fun!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Tamerie
Very clever, really stylish. I really like it.
ReplyDeleteHow fun, fresh, eclectic, and fabulously affordable!! Even better, its one of a kind! Great idea, thanks for sharing! :>
ReplyDeleteSo adorable, Simone! Nice work.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea, and so easy to wash too. Our table used to be very large, and I always had trouble finding tablecloths for it too. I did take one of the leaves out when my two older boys left for college, but it's still not small. I'm going to have to keep my eye out for some pretty dish towels.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Marcia
You clever girl Simone it looks so nice & fresh on that table, & how affordable you could have a different colour theme for each day (hee) Elaine x
ReplyDeletejust very you and what a fab idea ... love the frugal element ... best le
ReplyDeleteSmart little tart!.. <3
ReplyDeleteOh! Simone, it looks wonderful so fresh and cute! Have a sweet day!
ReplyDeleteVery clever and affordable- well done!!
ReplyDeleteyou need to be selling those!!! so so great!
ReplyDeletealso are you kidding me with the framed bathing suits!??!?! ssssssoooooo cuuuute!!!!
love that!
ReplyDeleteLove this idea...yours turned out simply adorable.
ReplyDeleteOh Simone,
ReplyDeleteSo pretty and fresh....you are amazing!!
Hapy Weekend!! xOxO Nerina :)
Now that just a cute as a newborn calf! What a wonderful idea! It's would so fit in here at the Ponderosa!!!
ReplyDeleteGod bless and enjoy your Saturday!!!
Beautiful!I ♥ red and white
ReplyDeleteSimone, I love your table cloth. You did a fine job! It looks wonderful. I also love the framed bathing suits.
ReplyDeletesmiles, alice
what cuteness! and throw it in the wash and it just gets softer and softer!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE IT!! I can't wait to make one!!
ReplyDeleteSimone, I have to tell you, While trying to get some ideas of what to do with my diningroom I searched some of your archives and I am inspired. I had a "why didn't I think of that" moment while reading your post about your flower picture collection ~ what a great way to bring some cheery life inside ( esp since it's is the heart of winter here). Needless to say, I found a gorgeous photo at the thrift shop yesterday. : ) Thanks for sharing all of your awesome ideas!!
Ooh clever! looks great. I want to make one now too!
ReplyDeleteHi Simone, I just popped onto your lovely blog. Glad I did ;o)
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea! Looking so so adorable in those happy colors. Off to read some of your past posts ~ off for More Inspiration .....
Have a wonderful week!
Saskia
Great idea! Love it... i especially love all your different dining chairs xx
ReplyDeleteThe tablecloth is so perfect!!
ReplyDeleteSimone, your blog's great.
ReplyDeleteAs a fellow thrifter living by the beach (but in Sydney) I love what you've done and agree there's nothing better than making your own things or hunting around for unique beautiful items no one else can get (and for very little)! :-)
oh this is wonderful so pretty and I love love love your aprons in the last post
ReplyDeleteGrandma made it often... but with her vintage tablecloths. The table of her cottage on the lake was so nice to see.
ReplyDeleteHey Simone, Hope you had a good trip. This project is so adorable and perfect for a summer cottage. Thanks for keeping me inspired.
ReplyDeleteTablecloth Wholesale, Fabrics and linens offers wholesale and retail linen buyers the products to satisfy your one-stop shopping needs. Shop for Table Linens Wholesale. From a great selection of Kitchen/Dining Towels, Tablecloths, Pure Linen, Place Mats, Cloth Napkins, Guest & Dish Towels, Table Runners and more at Everyday Low Wholesale/ Discounted Prices - Direct To The Public.
ReplyDeleteIt's really hard to find the table cloth that fits to a big table. Even many times I have faced this problem but finally I got it mine from a lady who used to make table clothes like this only. Now as I have learned stitching I will try to make more table clothes like this of my choice.
ReplyDeleteTable Cover
This caught my eye on your sidebar, I love it! What a great idea and the possibilities are endless with colors and patterns! I think I might have to find some pretty dish towels!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! It looks so nice & homey. Have to keep my eye out for dishtowel packs (I love that yours are matching without being all the same).
ReplyDeleteYour tablecloth came out just lovely and I really like the colours too!! I've got this linked to my tablecloths post as well today, for inspiration!
ReplyDeleteJust saw this on Pinterest. Absolutely love it!
ReplyDeleteI just take a peek and I discovered your post. I like it and I find it interesting and impressive. You did a good job. A lot of thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCharles A
LOOOOOVE it!!!
ReplyDeleteCute idea! I would wash and dry them all before putting them together. It looks like the fabric textures are different and there could be some shrinkage.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to do this for our irregular sized table! Thanks for the inspiration and diy
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute idea! Now I only have to find cute dish towels in a color I like =)
ReplyDeleteWhat a clever and easy idea. We need large tablecloths for our booth at the county fair. What could be more simple to display our quilts and crafts with these tablecloths. Thanks for such a great idea.
ReplyDelete