I would like to make a table cover for a small round table. My table measures 19 3/4" across and is 25" tall.
Madelyn S.,
e-mail
I'm assuming you'd like the tablecloth to reach the floor, but you can use this method to make a round tablecloth of any length. Measure how long you'd like the tablecloth to be and multiply this by two. Add the table diameter, plus 1" for the hem allowance. For your table the result is 70 3/4". Divide the total by two to find the radius (35 3/8").
You'll need a square of fabric to cut the tablecloth (70 3/4" square in this case). Some home dec fabrics are wide enough to cut the tablecloth in one piece, but if you choose narrower yardage you'll need to piece the fabric. Buy enough fabric to get two lengths of the needed diameter. (Two times 70 3/4" lengths equals 4 yards.) Cut the fabric in half widthwise, trim off the selvages and sew the two pieces with right sides together along the lengthwise edges. Finish the seam allowances as desired and press the seam open.
To cut the needed square from the pieced fabric, fold the fabric in half along the seam and measure the radius (35 3/8") from the seam; trim the excess (1). This will center the seam in the finished tablecloth. Fold the resulting square into quarters.
To draw the circle, use a yardstick to measure the radius from the corner where all the folds meet, marking every inch or so (2). Connect the marks to create a quarter-circle. While the fabric is still folded, cut along the drawn line.
Hem the tablecloth by serging the edge with a 3-thread stitch with the wrong side facing up and trimming 1/4" as you sew. Tighten the needle tension or set the differential feed to a plus setting so the edge draws in slightly to the wrong side. Turn up a 1/4" hem; pin and steam lightly in place. Topstitch the hem to secure.
