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How To: An Easy Solution to Prevent Fly-Away Tablecloths

by on Jun 28, 2011

I was at an event recently where the pretty outdoor tablecloths were blowing every which way in the wind, knocking over table settings and just being outright annoying.  The solution the hosts used was to tie the tablecloths onto the table, ruining the table staging.  Let’s face it, even those tablecloth clips break up the beauty.  I knew there had to be a solution!  So, with a few scrap pieces of fabric, I came up with a rockin’ remedy.  

created at: 06/28/2011

Since my sewing machine is practically another appendage, I turned to some basic sewing skills for this project.  

Materials and Tools:

  • Tablecloth with square corners (ironing optional heh heh)
  • 1/4 yard coordinating fabric
  • Scissors
  • Sewing machine or needle and thread
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Note: If you don’t have a sewing machine, hand-stitching and using something that won’t fray like knit, fleece, or even felt would make this an easy, non-sewing machine project.  Or fusible webbing for hems (found in thin rolls in the notions section of fabric stores) would work, too. Go for it!

1. Begin by cutting four 5″ squares from your coordinating fabric:

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2. Next, iron your squares at a diagonal, matching opposite corners.

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3. Now you will want to “finish” those raw edges so they don’t fray.  I used my serger, but using a zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine (or a non-fraying fabric, mentioned above) will accomplish the same goal.

created at: 06/27/2011
created at: 06/27/2011

(Zig-Zag edge on the Left, Serged edge on the Right )

4. When all four squares are finished you’ll begin pinning them to your tablecloth, about 1/4″ from the edge of your tablecloth.  This will make the fabric invisible from the outside.

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5. Now for the final touches. Sew the triangle to the tablecloth using the existing tablecloth stitching as a guide:

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6. See the stitching from the top side?  Me neither.  That is a good thing!

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7. After doing this on all four corners, you are ready to throw this baby on a picnic table.  Toss a few rocks, washers, marbles, or any other smallish-yet-heavy objects into your corner pockets and that tabecloth won’t be bothering anyone.  The corners have a surprising amount of influence on the sides, so those might move a little but won’t be in anyone’s way.

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No one will ever know the secret behind your non-flying tablecloth.  And if they ask, they’ll never believe it took you 15 minutes and a few rocks.

created at: 06/28/2011

Looking for more ideas?

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2 Comments

  1. Wow! Thank you! Today is 5 days out from Christmas Day and I am going nuts over my beautiful red linen table cloth that is blowing off the lanai table. Thank you so much for this easy solution!