How to Make a Round Tablecloth Topper

Round tablecloths are easy to make and a simple way to dress up a small table and give it presence in a room. Often round tables are inexpensive bistro-type tables that may be a little flimsy. By adding a rich tablecloth topper, the table will immediately look larger and more substantial because the thin legs will be somewhat hidden from view and the tablecloth will draw the gaze to the top of the table. A table topper is also used over the top of a second tablecloth. Usually the second tablecloth is longer and in a neutral color. The topper is easy to toss into the laundry after meals while the tablecloth underneath continues to look good. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Measure across the center of the round table. Determine how much of a drop you want from the edge of the table to the edge of the topper. Often this is 12 to 16 inches. Add the first measurement to twice the drop measurement plus 1 inch for hems.

2

Remove the selvage edge from the pre-laundered fabric. Selvage is the material at the sides of commercially made fabric. The selvage will often have pattern numbers or lettering and may be 1/2 to 1 inch wide. Cut your fabric to your calculated dimensions. Both the length and width are the same size.

3

Place your fabric face up on your table. Fold the fabric horizontally so that the fold is now at the top. Your fabric will have its face sides together at this point. Fold the fabric vertically. The top corner with the double fold is the center of the fabric. Place a safety pin in the corner. Add straight pins through the fabric to hold it in its folded position.

4

Attach a string to the safety pin in the corner. Tie your fabric pencil at the maximum distance where the tip can touch fabric with the pencil straight up and down. Draw a curve along the back side of the fabric. Cut the fabric along that curve with scissors.

5

Tuck 1/4-inch of fabric under twice and sew a double hem around the circle. Iron the hem flat.