If you have a round table, you may be frustrated at the lack of selection or the high prices when you go tablecloth shopping. Avoid the expensive tablecloths at department stores, and make your own instead with a little creativity, bargain-shopping and some sewing know-how.
Felt
If a needle and thread intimidate you, polyester craft felt is the fabric for you. The vibrant colors and cheap price (about $5 a yard as of January 2010, although you can catch sales which bring the price down to just $3) make felt perfect for a casual fall or winter tablecloth. Even better, it comes in a 72-inch width, which means that if your table is 60 inches or less in diameter, you won't have to sew anything at all. For a tablecloth to fit a 60-inch table, buy 2 yards, which will give you a huge square. Lay it face down wherever you have space. Use a measuring tape extended to the 36-inch mark, or cut a 3-foot length of string. Measure the exact center of the square and mark it in tailor's chalk. Then, have a friend hold one end of the tape on the center mark, while you walk it around in a circle and mark where to cut the corners to make a circle. (The midpoints of the square will remain untouched.) After the circle is marked, take a strong pair of shears and cut along your markings, carefully and smoothly. If your cutting looks hesitant, or you slip, use a glue gun to glue decorative trim around the edge to hide mistakes (or to make it even prettier).
Sheets
Sheets are not necessarily cheap, but you can find bargains in the clearance section of major department stores, and you can even find quality sheets at bargain resellers. You can use a full-size flat sheet for a table up to 5 feet across, but for a larger table you should buy a queen- or king size sheet. A king-size flat sheet will measure about 108 inches by 102 inches, so it can work for a round table as large as 7 feet across. Choose a sheet in a solid neutral color for an elegant look, or a bright floral or multicolored stripe for a cheerful table. If you use a damask stripe sheet, no one will be able to tell that you made it yourself, since damask stripes are popular for tablecloths as well. When you cut out your circle to fit your table, leave an extra 8 inches on either side to include an allowance for the hem. (Unlike felt, sheets need to be hemmed or they will unravel.) Pin a 1-inch hem around the entire sheet before you start to sew, so that your hem does not get crooked as you go. If you want to add trim, sew it on at the same time as your hem.
Remnants
If you're a whiz with your sewing machine and don't mind a little extra pinning, make a patchwork tablecloth. Choose a color or group of colors that you want to use together, and go to a fabric store to see what they have on their remnant table. You may get lucky and find several yards in a single, perfect fabric, or you may find two or three small pieces that can work together. If the remnant fabrics are all boring solids, and you want something with more pop, pick up a few fat quarters from the quilting section; they come in every color and pattern imaginable and usually cost less than $2 each. You can even cut up old clothes to contribute fabric for the project. Lay out and sew your patchwork design as you would a quilt, but don't worry about batting; this project won't need to keep you warm like a quilt. A simple muslin lining is sufficient to keep all the seams from view.
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