Summery Tablecloth

I have a finish to share!  Remember the tablecloth I started?  I was using this sweet cheddar yellow widleback from the shop (down to only one more yard in the shop). My plan was to make a floral collage (inspired by Laura Heine’s patterns) around the border of the tablecloth.  I posted this back in late June.

The day I posted it, there was a comment from my friend Preeti (of Sew Preeti Quilts).  Part of her comment was this:

“I am impressed that you put so much effort into the table cloth. It will be a piece of art and everyone will be overly careful not to spill the tomato ketchup on it 🙂”

This really made me think for a bit.  My family is not overly careful.  This tablecloth was intended for use on the deck – for eating outdoors.  That means summer food.  It means burgers, bbq chicken and ribs.  We are not a dainty family.  I wash my outdoor tablecloths all the time!  I changed my mind entirely and took the flowers off the table cloth.  I saved them for use in a different collage project!

So there I was – no fancy border. Just the hemmed wide back – it seemed too plain.  I dug around and came up with some wide red bias tape.  The bright red with the cheddar yellow appealed to me so I trimmed the edges with two strips of bias tape, one wider than the other.

It is simple but very washable!!  I like the red – it gives the tablecloth a little pop.  What do you think?  It was very easy to do.  I didn’t mark anything.  The two strips may not be perfectly placed but really, who can tell??
I am grateful to Preeti for making me reconsider the idea.  That floral collage would have been so pretty but also very time consuming.  I don’t think the border would have held up very well to constant laundering.  Plus it would fade on the deck as that table gets the afternoon sun all summer long.  It would be better to spend the energy on a project where it will last.  So, now I know that about 1.5 yards of wide back fabric and some bias tape equals a cute tablecloth!  Talking about wide back fabrics, I want to let you know I have an incredibly pretty new wide back in stock to share with you.  It was designed by Amy Butler and is called Night Music – I love it. Click here to check it out.
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25 thoughts on “Summery Tablecloth

  1. Barbara Esposito, TheQuiltedB

    I Love this table cloth – so bright and cherry! And that was a save by Preeti, hey? We are not dainty either and that is why I hesitate to make placemats – I know they are supposed to keep food off the table but I don’t want food on my handmade placemats either! I did make some out of tablecloth vinyl and appliqued some larger EPP hexagons I made from batik charm squares. Those I don’t mind using on the back porch or at a cook out, although truth be told I do still cringe when ketchup is dribbled on them…

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Hey Barbara, your note reminded me that at least a year ago I participated in a blog hop for a book release. I made a set of four – really pretty – placemats. I have NEVER once set the table with them. That is so silly. They are sitting in a drawer unused.
      I like the idea of your vinyl/EPP placemats. I bet they are cute. If I ever get the chance to eat with those, I promise to be careful with the ketchup. 😉

      Reply
  2. Pat

    Pretty tablecloth. I love yellow. I do not have a family of dainty eaters, either. Everything has to be very washable. I think if I were making this tablecloth, I would add the flowers and make them detachable for washing by putting them on with colorful plastic snaps … the type that are so popular with cloth nappie makers. My snap pliers are made by Babyville Boutique for this purpose. I have made table mats and attached pennants to garlands with it. Just an idea … that I may now have to add to my ever growing, long list of “must make soon” projects …. hmmm … wonder is I can work it into a blog hop project … those always get done … thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      You are welcome – Go Pat! You have so many good ideas and yes, you would get it done. It seems you get a TON of projects done. Have a great Friday.

      Reply
  3. Wendy

    There seems to be a theme here, in the comments, since we are not a dainty family either, and we do love our burgers and ribs and anything we can possibly make on the grill. Personally I should make myself a bib or two since I’m notorious for spilling on myself too. I love the yellow and red combination, and it adds a nice pizzazz to your deck dining area! Great idea, Bernie, and kudos to Preeti too!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Haha – I should have mentioned in the post that on the first dinner we ate with that tablecloth my DH spilled salad dressing. So, my change of plan was definitely the right way to go. 🙂

      Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      I am sure they will be used. I would love to make one of the Laura Heine collage patterns. At any rate they are in a project box patiently waiting. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Laura

    I’m excited to see what you do with the flowers you already cut out. It would have been beautiful, but I agree that maybe a tablecloth is not the ideal location for such a project. I think the red bias tape give the tablecloth such a classic look — I really love it!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      I have a few ideas for the flowers – I really love the Laura Heine collage patterns. She has so many. I have my eye on the one of two pigs or there is one of a dressmaker’s form that is so pretty. My only concern is they are wall quilts and are a bit bigger than I would want. Decisions, decisions. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Preeti Harris

    So this is a pleasant surprise. I not only get quoted, I am also credited for the save!!! That just set the perfect mood for my weekend. Oops sorry, this is not about me. Back to you.
    Wide backing + bias tape makes a speedy and very elegant table cloth. The multi-colored tomatoes on the golden yellow surface are worthy of a page in the Better Homes magazine. Add the hammock and the balmy weather and I would certainly overstay my welcome.
    Now, if you absolutely must make a table cloth from those flowers AND your family is not dainty maybe a large vinyl covering could solve that problem. I am just so full of it. Sorry, this is not about me, again. I am sure that however you use those pretty posies, it will a lovely finish. Hope you have a great weekend.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      This was about you Preeti!! I just kept thinking about it after reading your comment. At any rate – I am glad you mentioned it because it was the perfect save. Hope you also have a great weekend. I am on my way to Vermont on Sunday so I need to get organized and do some packing!

      Reply
  6. Diann Bottrell

    I love what you did with this tablecloth! After reading all the comments, I have to tell you that I, too, made a set of placemats for a blog hop, and my husband won’t eat on them because they’re “too pretty!” But everything’s washable, right?! I think I’m getting them back out today!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Everything is definitely washable. The placemats look so crisp when they are new and once washed will lose that. I think that is why I hesitate to use them. But why make them if they are going to sit in a drawer??? Thanks for the note Diann!

      Reply
  7. Kathleen

    Perfect color choice for an outdoor tablecloth. Now if your family “strategically” spills ketchup or mustard, it won’t even show!
    I embroidered a tablecloth for a gift for my mom years ago. She used it, but she also went out and bought a roll of clear vinyl that she always covered it with.

    Reply
  8. Emily

    I really like the stripe and am glad you have something you won’t be afraid to use. I hadn’t thought of wide backs as tablecloths but that’s a great idea! I look forward to seeing what you decide to do with those beautiful flowers!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Widebacks are great for tablecloths – I love not having to run a seam to have enough width for the table. It works really well and there was tons of fabric leftover which will (obviously) be used in a quilt. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by Emily.

      Reply

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