Need to protect your favorite table? Sew this DIY fitted tablecloth in about an hour with this step-by-step tutorial with photos.
When my preschooler was gifted a gorgeous wood play table set, I inwardly mourned its demise. You see, when it comes to crafts with kids, some parents opt out of glitter and glue altogether. But we LOVE a good messy craft in our house! This table was not going to be long for this world. Unless... I could find a way to protect it from all the crayons, glue, and paint-water spills.
First, I tried a vinyl tablecloth, but my boys kept shuffling it off the tabletop as they colored and created. I needed something that stayed put! And it needed to be durable. So I set to work and in about an hour had a table cover that decorated and protected!
If you can sew even a simple straight line, you can definitely make this DIY fitted tablecloth tutorial in under an hour! It's fast, easy, and won't turn into a Pinterest-fail! I used a sewing machine, but you could hand-stitch. I'm guessing that might take about two-hours.
First, I did a trial run with an old vinyl tablecloth. This is a great way to upcycle an old picnic tablecloth and save a ton of money because they run about $3-8. After seeing how easy it was to sew this cornered tablecloth, I splurged on pirate printed PUL material (which is used for waterproof cloth diaper covers!) and sewed a cover that was more fun for the boys. Plus the print hides random crayon markings!
Bottom Line: Protect any table (large or small) from little crafting accidents with this easy-to-sew DIY Cornered Tablecloth. Whether you use an old vinyl tablecloth as your fabric, or spring for a custom PUL print at the fabric store, you'll have this project whipped out in no time!
DIY Fitted Tablecloth Tutorial
Materials needed:
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Thread
- Straight pins
- Table (you'll need the table you'll be covering to be handy for measuring)
- Material - a waterproof material works best for small children. For length of fabric, it will depend on your table. I recommend measuring the table and adding 20 inches to the length and width of the table (so you get 10 inches margin on all 4 sides).
Directions:
1. Lay your fabric right side DOWN (that is, inside out!) onto the table you wish to cover.
2. Trim the fabric so there's about ten inches overhanging all four edges evenly.
3. Without moving the tablecloth (you may wish to set a heavy book on top to keep it still), pin the fabric at each corner to make "wings" sticking out from each corner. Pin both at the very corner edge and all the way down the table leg, making sure you don't slope inward if your table legs are recessed.
Sewing your Fitted Tablecloth
4. Now, sew a straight stitch down each corner "wing." Trim the "wing" off to leave about a ½ inch edge. You could turn this down for a flatter seam, or if you have a serger that won't be an issue. I just left mine!
5. Once you have sewn each corner, flip the tablecloth to the right side, and place over your table, making sure it fits snugly and without puckers. If you have pinned correctly, you should not have to redo this part - both my tablecloths fit correctly the first time - I only tell you that to say that it should be that easy!
6. Fit whatever chairs will be at the table under the table. You'll want to hem the tablecloth edge up a few inches above the chairs so little legs won't get caught on the tablecloth. Measure how many inches down from the table top your finished hem should land. For our children's table, it was about 7 inches.
7. Next, flip the tablecloth inside out and put on the table. Starting at the corners, measure down to where you want your hem to be (mine was 7"). Fold your fabric hem edge up along the table leg, and pin. Do this at all four corners. Then, holding two corners, flip the fabric up to get a straight fold line across from corner to corner, and pin that in place. This is the easiest way I've found to get a straight edge from one corner to the next (without measuring or taking the fabric off the table). Repeat around all four sides of the table. I only folded my fabric up once, leaving a raw edge, but you could fold twice for a finished edge.
8. Sew the hem and trim any excess fabric down to ¼" from the seam. You may choose to use a straight stitch or a more decorate and secure zig zag stitch.
Lastly, put your tablecloth on the table and enjoy! Your kids are going to love it!
Where to get your fabric!?
Here's a tip - use an "all-over" print, so that if your material pulls a bit and isn't quite even, you won't see the discrepancy. Stripes and lined prints will show any error immediately and it'll forever bug ya! I found some great PUL fabric by the yard on Amazon.com and also some pretty square vinyl tablecloths. Click the links below to shop a sampling of the fun prints I found!!
Precut in one meter or two-meter lengths, with a cross-grain stretch
Waterproof on both sides!
Colorful turtle print with wavy striped background
Deep, moody coloring!
Whimsical large print cloth!
Please let me know if you try this tutorial out - I'd love to see a photo! If you're looking for more great ideas to "sew or not to sew" check out my sewing project Pinterest board!
More Easy Craft Projects:
- DIY Framed Fabric Wall Art (No Sew Craft)
- DIY Frame Tray Craft
- Yarn-Wrapped Wreath Tutorial (No Sew!)
Add this DIY Cornered Fitted Tablecloth Tutorial to your Pinterest boards
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We have something simular on our wooden garden table. It‘s protected but ventilated, and stays outdoor the whole year.
Hi Julie,
I was wondering did this work well on a vinyl tablecloth? I would like to do this with a vinyl tablecloth.
Thank you.
Thank you so much for posting this! It was exactly what I was looking for, andI made it by myself yesterday! My mom got me a sewing machine for xmas, and my gran helped me set it up last week and gave me a bunch of fabric to play around with. I am so proud of myself as this was the first thing I've ever sewn 🙂 thank you so much for the tutorial, it was wonderful 🙂
Bought some really expensive fabric and was panicking on cutting it because I didn't know how to handle those "wings".... THANK you for showing me what to do! I have some measure of confidence now. 😉
Thank you for this tutorial! I was very much struggling with a similar project, but i am trying to do the drape to the floor and couldn't get it - until i came across this tutorial. It was photos that were exactly what i needed and had it done in no time! thank you!!
This is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you for a clear and simple tutorial. Going to go try.
Thank you thank you thank you! I have been struggling to figure this out myself and this is exactly what I needed!
Great Idea. I am going to make one for my picnic table and I might even cover my benches too . Thanks for sharing this. my tablecloth will never blow up again outside on my picnic table. YAY!!
I'm really thankful for this tutorial! I just started my own business and I do craft shows. In florida it can get REALLY windy...and I can't afford the fitted tablecloths. This is tutorial is heaven-sent. I just bought some sheets from goodwill, and I'm getting ready to start on them. I'll send pictures if it's a Success!!! Cross your fingers for JackieBeans Boutique!
Oh please do send photos! I'd love to see how it turns out! What a great use for this kind of tablecloth that I never considered before! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
This is a great idea! I'm hoping to make a new tablecloth for my table, and I'd like to incorporate this idea!
This seems like a good method to make a protective cover for my dining room table to have under my tablecloth. I recently saw flat table protector at Walmart and could use that with this method. Thank you for the great idea!
Thank you for sharing! I want to make one of these to turn a desk into a nursery changing station and wanted to use elastic to keep it in place but I like your idea more!!!
Practical! I'm excited to try this on the Ikea LACK table our son uses for painting and drawing. I'll refer to your post on my blog if I end up doing it! Great idea. Thank you!
Can i make one for round tables too ? In this method?
This would likely not work on a round table as there's no "corners." You would probably have to cut and piece two sections together to achieve this effect, and off the top of my head I can't think how that would go.
Couldn’t you make ‘pleats’ around the cloth which would then make it fitted? I do not see, so I don’t know if it would work. The thought just came to me
Seems like you could turn fabric upside down and pin around to make your pleats. Then sew around it. Worth a try on an old sheet for practice.
I need something like this on my coffee table to protect it from my grandbaby banging toys on it. She's already dinged up some areas. Thanks for sharing!
This is one of the most clever and practical ideas I've seen
in a very long time. Genius!
I want to make a cover for a table with rounded corners too. I hope someone can give some help and advice.
I just made the cutest little cover for my girls Ikea Lack table that they use for their play kitchen! Thank you for the easy to follow tutorial!
Great idea - can anyone out there tell me how to improvise this if I have rounded corners on my rectangular dining table. How to make them come out as crisp as the sharper squared off corners. Thanks.
The simplest thing would be to cut the shape of your table top with an added seam allowance (suggestion: 1/2 inch all around) and then make a band of the desired width/depth and the same circumference as the table top plus 1 inch. Bring the short ends together and sew using 1/2 inch seam allowance. Hem one long edge as desired, then attach the band to the "shaped" piece cut for the top.
That's a fantastic tip!! Thank you! I definitely need to try this out myself - now off to find something round to cover!!
Great idea - can anyone out there tell me how to improvise this if I have rounded corners on my rectangular dining table. How to make them come out as crisp as the sharper squared off corners. Thanks.
I think you just have to "ease in" the rounded corners. That is you would slow down your sewing machine when you hit the corner, and gently turn the fabric as you stitch. You may want to practice this "easing in" technique first to get the speed / turning time down. It's not something I am particularly good at b/c I tend to speed through projects LOL
What a great idea on keeping the tablecloth on. I wish I would have done this to my tables before my kids make their marks on them.
Ahhh, what a good idea! I dont know how many times our table cloth slipped off.
That is a really neat idea! I just bought a rectangular table so I will be making a table cloth like this!
That is a really neat idea! I just bought a rectangular table so I will be making a table cloth like this!
I'm gonna have to do this with my kiddos' table!! So easy that I can even make it! 🙂
I really wish I were more talented when it came to sewing. I am not kidding when I tell you that sewing a button back on is about as good as it gets with me.
What an adorable project. You had me at one hour.
This is a super cute project! My daughter has a little table, and she'd just love this.
What a great DIY! It looks really great, it's easy to make, and I can think of some great places to use it.
I love this table cloth. I can think of some really nice fabrics I can make this with.
I love this table cloth. I can think of some really nice fabrics I can make this with.
What a great project. It looks really easy to make, and it's very cute.
What a great project. It looks really easy to make, and it's very cute.
How cute is that! i wish my sewing skills were this good. I am pinning this so that I am try this out.
How cute is that! i wish my sewing skills were this good. I am pinning this so that I am try this out.
That is adorable and so easy. I could make that in no time.
That is adorable and so easy. I could make that in no time.
This looks super cute. I have to tell you, I am so NOT the crafty type but you make it look so easy! 🙂
This looks super cute. I have to tell you, I am so NOT the crafty type but you make it look so easy! 🙂
What a cool thing to make. My MIL does all the sewing in this house and I wonder if she knows how to do this? I am totally passing this on to her. Thanks so much
What a cool thing to make. My MIL does all the sewing in this house and I wonder if she knows how to do this? I am totally passing this on to her. Thanks so much
This is awesome. Thank you for the tutorial!
This is awesome. Thank you for the tutorial!
You make it sound so easy. I love the project but am not sure I can sew a straight line!
You make it sound so easy. I love the project but am not sure I can sew a straight line!
This is an awesome tutorial! I have an OLD table and I want to cover it nicely without my kids or hubby pulling the tablecloth off! I will be tackling this project in the Fall!
julie i LOVE this! it's awesome!! pinning
Oh that turned out absolutely fabulous! I love the fitted look. It is so much better than the extra loose table clothes I just throw in our table.
Wow, this looks so much more 'finished' I love the look! I don't sew often or handle fabrics, but I think I could tackle this project for the playroom!
Genius!! That always bugged me about our tablecloth too - I'm so going to do this!!!
Genius!! That always bugged me about our tablecloth too - I'm so going to do this!!!
What an awesome idea if you have little kids in the house. I wish I had thought of that back when my kids were toddlers.
What an awesome idea if you have little kids in the house. I wish I had thought of that back when my kids were toddlers.
I LOVE this Julie. I wish we were neighbors so I could pay you to make one for me. =) The pirate fabric is such a fun print for the boys too.
I LOVE this Julie. I wish we were neighbors so I could pay you to make one for me. =) The pirate fabric is such a fun print for the boys too.