The "I Think I May Have Crossed a Line" DIY Pleated Tablecloth Tutorial
$9... And an Hour or So of Work... That's Worth It, Right?
You know how it is when you plan something in your head? And you're excited about it? And it was the basis for everything else you were planning? And then all of a sudden something happens, and you're forced to change gears, but changing gears is, like, a huge deal? Well, that's what happened to me with this project... and it all started, innocently, at Christmas Tree Shops the other day.
So I'm forced to get in the zone. I've resolved to complete a few projects I've been lagging on in the house, and I go out to shop for some smaller "touches." And to my surprise, I really get into the zone. I'm in Christmas Tree Shops, and it all starts coming together. Here's where the "zone" takes me: (1) We'll do this party outside (please no rain), (2) I'm going with a turquoise color scheme with green accents (no big surprise here), (3) I know I have a few round and rectangular tables (to borrow) at my disposal. Perfect. I don't want the plain white tablecloths from the caterer, so I peruse the cute vinyl tablecloth displays in the store. I decide all the tablecloths will match. And, being in the zone, I find cute checkered turquoise tablecloths (at $2.99/each), round and oblong. I buy a bunch of them (and a couple other adorable accent pieces). IN. THE. ZONE. Fast forward two more days. I get the tables to the house. I start playing around with tablescape ideas, because I don't want to wait until the last minute (now are you starting to see a glimpse into why I may have a problem?), and I realize: OH NO. These round tablecloths are too small! Like, way too small! I hurry to tell my husband, knowing he'll share my shock and panic... yet, he seems unconcerned. "Just get another size," he tells me. No, no, that's not going to work. Because (A) they only offer 60" round tablecloths in this $2.99 display, and (B) the tablecloths are the basis of my entire plan. "I can't just GET different sizes, husband! This is a disaster!" He shrugs.

But here we go. Here are the steps I took to complete this strange, strange task. Here is the Operation Vinyl Tablecloth Tutorial, for anyone who may be just as mad as me:
- Step 1: Create a long strip to be used for the pleated section. I cut up an oblong tablecloth, using 12.5" strips. I was able to get 4 long strips out of a 58x70" oblong tablecloth this way. Cut the strips, then sew them together at the short ends so that you now have one long strip. In my madness, I extended my strip a little longer so that my pleats would be a specific distance apart (also because I was in trial-and-error stage). My long strip ended up being about 311" long and 12.5" wide (probably over 8.5 yards). You could easily just use one oblong tablecloth (about 288"), just make your pleats farther apart.
- Step 2: Make/pin the pleats from the long strip onto the round tablecloth. Be sure you keep the right sides together. My pleats were about 5" apart each, and the pleats themselves were about 1". Continue all the way around the tablecloth.
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Step 3: Sew the pieces together! Sew on the wrong side. It's up to you whether you sew up the open seam or not; I did on the first one but left it open on the second. You can see the open one in the top pic. I didn't hem the sides at all-I mean, com'on, it's just a vinyl tablecloth after all! Although if I had a serger, it would be really easy... hint, hint, husband :)
- Step 4: Put the tablecloth on the table, and tug at each fold around the tablecloth so that each pleat is nice and straight. You're never going to get ALL the wrinkles out, it is a vinyl tablecloth after all! But one trick I've used to get wrinkles out of a vinyl tablecloth is to put the tablecloth in the dryer, on gentle, with a wet towel for just 2 minutes--watch the time! Then I put it on the table, nice and warm, and it sort of molds to the shape of the table. It doesn't de-wrinkle as well with the pleats on it, but it still helped a little.
Even if this was a little "out-there," it was still a lot less $ for about the same amount of work as my laminated cotton tablecloth.

But back to reality. Wondering how the tablecloth was received? The true test: husband. When he came home from work yesterday, I asked, "Did you see the tablecloths on the round tables out there?" He replied, "Yeah! They did fit after all. See, I told you not to worry about it." Aaah. My secret's still safe.
In reality, I eventually told my husband about the project, but made him swear not to tell anyone :) Another secret, I won't actually be using my kitchen chairs in the top pic for the party. They just look cuter. In actuality, we'll be using my Craigslist Plastic Party Chairs, so I felt it only decent to include a pic with them too.
I love it! Very impressive and I'm always of the mind set that you can "just cut it up" to make something work!
ReplyDeleteYou're totally right, Kate. Now that I think about that way, I should be doing things like this more often! My mindset is definitely changing to be more like that. Thanks for the compliment!
DeleteWell I think it's just such a clever idea. Love how it turned out. Great way to solve a problem!
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Thanks, Jann! You're helping me feel less sheepish about it... maybe I should be focusing on the problem-solving aspect of the project!
DeleteSuch a pretty tablecloth. I need to up my sewing skills. I would love to make something like this. Thank you for sharing your tutorial.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like it! It's really a pretty easy project. I just started sewing a few years ago! And a lot more lately :)
DeleteI don't think it's weird to sew a 2.99 tablecloth. You also invested your time into shopping for them. I'm crazy too, I will always try to find a way to make do. I hate that we live in such a "throw away" mentality. I save all my gift bags and tissue paper. I'm always the crazy lady at the birthday party, grabbing all the bags and folding them up to reuse. You aren't a total nut job, just thrifty and talented!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Amy! It's so nice to hear from other people who have a similar mindset to me! In reality, I think we might be the SANEST of them all :)
DeleteSo cute! I love using vinyl tablecloths outdoors, but I've never added a cute ruffle. It makes such a difference. Thanks so much for sharing. Have a wonderful day!
ReplyDeleteThanks Brooke! It's funny you say that, because now I'm comparing this one to the plain oblong one I have for my rectangular table, and the plain one it bugging the heck out of me! But I won't go that far... this time :)
DeleteIt came out so cute! Your solution worked great! Good luck with the party :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa! I am proud that I was able to problem solve instead of starting from scratch again!
DeleteThey look adorable and I am so glad you decided to share this. I find this post hilarious because it reminds me of myself!
ReplyDeleteThanks, PJ. I love hearing about other people who do these kinds of things :)
DeleteIt looks adorable! Worth all of it:)
ReplyDeleteKrista
I love it! The colour is gorgeous and you did a brilliant job. Fun post too!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing at the Say G'Day Saturday linky party. I've just pinned this and shared it on Twitter and Facebook.
Best wishes and hope to see you again this weekend.
Natasha in Oz
Wow, what a great idea! They turned out great! Thanks for sharing at Give Me The Goods Monday! Hope to see you again at the next party ;)
ReplyDeleteJamie @Better With Age
I think it's very cute. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI have discovered, though, that most of the patterned ones I find are too small for our very large farmhouse table. here
ReplyDelete