How to Easily Dress Up a Plain Tablecloth
How to Make a Ready-Made Table Cloth Look Custom
Add a pop of color and a touch of graphic to a basic tablecloth with simple sewing supplies and basic DIY skills.
Photo by: Flynnside Out Productions
Flynnside Out Productions
Materials Needed
fabric tablecloth
scissors
tailor's tape
chalk
adhesive bonding tape or fabric glue
iron
gimp trim
1 yard of fabric to be added as a border
all-purpose thread
Cut Fabric Border
Lay the fabric on a flat, level surface, mark it to the desired width for the decorative band (we used 2"), then cut out using fabric scissors.
Measure, Mark & Cut Gimp
Gimp trim is a small decorative accent trim that is added to the edges of tablecloths, pillows, upholstered furniture and drapery for contrasting color, pattern and/or texture. Unfurl spool of gimp out on a flat, level surface, mark it to the finished perimeter length of your tablecloth using chalk, then cut it to size with scissors.
Photo by: Flynnside Out Productions
Flynnside Out Productions
Cut Trim
Gimp trim is a small decorative accent trim that's often used in upholstery. Unfurl spool of gimp out on a flat, level surface, mark it to the finished perimeter length of your tablecloth using chalk, then cut with scissors.
Measure, Mark & Cut Border
Once the intended look of the updated tablecloth is decided on, pick up 1 yard of fabric for use as a color band around the perimeter. Lay the fabric out on a flat, level surface, mark it to the desired width (2 inches works well), mark it with chalk, then cut it to size using fabric scissors.
Photo by: Flynnside Out Productions
Flynnside Out Productions
Stitch Border to Tablecloth
After the border has been cut to size, position it in its final place on the tablecloth (leaving approximately 1/8" of a gap above the bottom), then run it through the sewing machine using all-purpose thread (white works best for a clean, finished look).
Stitch Border to Tablecloth
After the border has been cut to size, position it in its final place on the tablecloth (leaving approximately 1/8” of a gap above the bottom), then run it through the sewing machine using all-purpose weight thread (white works best for a clean, finished look).
Photo by: Flynnside Out Productions
Flynnside Out Productions
Attach Trim
To attach the gimp to the sewed fabric band, cut adhesive bonding tape to size and place it beneath the gimp, then use an iron to activate the bond (Image 1). This can also be done using fabric glue by adding a bead of glue beneath the gimp, then activating the bond with the iron. Press or steam your completed tablecloth before use for a crisp, clean look (Image 2).
Flynnside Out Productions
Flynnside Out Productions
Iron Bonding Tape
To attach the gimp to the sewed band of color, cut adhesive bonding tape to size and place it beneath the gimp, then use an iron to activate the bond. This can also be done using fabric glue by adding a bead of glue beneath the gimp, then activating the bond with the iron.
Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions
How to Make a Ready-Made Table Cloth Look Custom
Add a pop of color and a touch of graphic to a basic tablecloth with simple sewing supplies and basic DIY skills.
Photo By: Flynnside Out Productions
