Want to sew a tablecloth? Here’s a simple tablecloth tutorial that won’t take much time!

Tablecloths dress up a table setting and take it to the next level.

As a homemaker, one of the skills I am learning is interior design. Although I would love to do all kinds of renovations and hardcore makeovers in our kitchen, this is not the season nor the time to be spending that much. We don’t necessarily have the skill sets necessary for such an undertaking either. 

I refuse to sit idle though so armed with what I do have and what I do know how to do, I have set out to makeover my entire house starting with the dining room. 

Armed with my sewing machine and basic knowledge of sewing, I have set out to makeover our dining room and give it a new look with some tablecloths. 

Want to join me in this adventure? Grab your machine and let’s get sewing!

How much fabric do you need for a tablecloth?

This really depends on the size and shape of your table. Other factors you have to consider is how much you want it to hangover and if you are going to add a trimmings like a ruffle to it. 

I measured the length and width of my table and then added how much overhang I wanted plus a little bit for seam allowance. 

When measuring the overhang, don’t forget to double it so that you have an overhang on both sides. 

See the tutorial for more detailed instructions. 

Is it easy to sew a tablecloth?

Yes! Of course, you could go all out and add all kinds of trimmings, but to make a simple tablecloth all you need to know is how to hem the edges. 

You’re basically just cutting the fabric to the size you need and then finishing the edges so it doesn’t fray in the wash. Easy peasy, just like cloth napkins!

What is the best fabric to make a tablecloth with?

Natural fibers are the best so 100% cotton or linen or a combination of both. 

While I would love to do linen or even organic cotton, that can get expensive so for this season of life, I just buy some pretty cotton fabric from Hobby Lobby and call it good. 

There are a lot of other types of fabric, but I prefer to work with cotton because it’s stiffer so it won’t slip around or stretch while you are trying to sew. 

Design tip: Choose a fabric that matches or coordinates with your curtains and it will tie in your decor all together. 

What is the best hem for a tablecloth?

My go to is the simple double fold or as some refer to it, the rolled hem. You just fold it over once and then over itself again so that the exposed edge is tucked inside. 

You can iron it, pin it, or if you are lazy like me, you can just fold it as you go. 

The nice thing about working with cotton is that it creases real easily so you could crease the fold between your fingers if that would help you too without having to break out the iron. 

What is the proper overhang for a tablecloth?

The overhang could be anywhere from 6 inches to floor length. I used a 7 inch overhang for this tablecloth. 

If you are unsure of how much overhang you want, drape your fabric over the edge of your table and adjust it to where you want it before measuring and cutting. 

I do want to note that I bought the fabric I’m using online. The bolts of fabric in store are barely wide enough to cover my dining table leaving no room for an overhang. 

I suggest you buy the fabric online or add a large ruffle for the overhang if you buy your fabric in-store.

Is it old-fashioned to use a tablecloth?

Yes and no. Tablecloths have always been an elegant way to dress up a table setting. Cloth tablecloths are not used quite as much for the everyday anymore. 

Most people just buy disposable ones for parties. Also, a lot of the more modern decor styles make use of bare tables with maybe a table runner. 

I love the simple elegance of using real tablecloths everyday even though I have little children. Yes, they are going to stain it, but it does protect the table and make clean up a bit easier. 

So, no. It’s not old fashioned to use tablecloths because tablecloths have always been used in at least formal settings throughout the years if not casual ones as well. It depends on the trends. 

But it’s yes at the same time, because using tablecloths for everyday casual meals is probably more old fashioned but in a good way. I think we need more simple elegance in our everyday lives!

What you’ll need…

• Sewing Machine
• Fabric
• Bobbin with coordinating thread
• Scissors
• Tape Measure

How to make a simple table cloth

Preliminary tasks. It’s good practice to pre-wash your fabric so it doesn’t shrink or bleed off the color. Because I work with 100% cotton, I rarely deal with it shrinking so I often skip this step. 

I will wash my finished project by itself for the first time if it is a red fabric. Reds are the only colored fabric I have trouble with bleeding or the dye seeping out. 

If you are using a natural fiber and it’s not a red fabric, it probably doesn’t need any special care before you jump into this simple sewing project.

If you do choose to pre-wash your fabric, you may want to iron the wrinkles out so that it will be easier to cut.  

Take measurements. Measure the width and length of the intended table. Here’s a graphic of my tablecloth measurements.

Drape your fabric over your table. Take a step back to eye how much you want the tablecloth to overhang and adjust the edge of the fabric to your preferred length.

Once you have it where you want it, use a tape measure to measure from the edge of the table to the edge of the fabric. 

Add ½” to it for the hem. Double this measurement and add it to both the width and length of the table measurements. This ensures that you will have enough fabric for an overhang all the way around. 

Cut it to size. Lay out your fabric, measure and mark the correct amount before cutting the fabric.  You can trace lines with a straight edge and some tailor’s chalk or a pencil to help you cut straight lines. 

OR If you’re blessed to have tile flooring, you can use the grout as straight edges and skip the tracing all together, lol. I just mark the edges where the measurements fall, line them up along the grout, and cut following the grout line from one mark to the next. It doesn’t have to be absolutely perfectly straight. This sewing project is very forgiving. 

Hem. Finish the edges to keep them from fraying over time with a simple hem. 

Fold the edge of the fabric over ¼” and then over itself again another ¼” to encase the raw edge. 

Set the needle position to the far left. This ensures that the raw edge won’t slip out from under the needle. 

Use the straight stitch to sew down all four edges. Don’t forget to backstitch at the beginning and end so that all your hard work stays intact!

Don’t forget to trim the extra threads off!

Style it! Now that the tablecloth is finished, toss it over your table and stype it to your heart’s content! I love how a little fabric and a simple sewing project like this can add a touch of elegance to a home!

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