Round tables are very versatile and are used to accent special decorating items in every room in the home.
They are perfect for placement of lamps in the corner of a room, in an entranceway or the center of a room to create a warming effect. They are often used in a sun parlor for plants and in living rooms and bedrooms for lamps or to display large vases and collectibles.
Round tables with a beautiful pedestal leg or carved legs can be covered on top with a decorative stitched or a lace table cloth. Tables with plain round or square legs need to be covered so the eye goes to the accent piece on top of the table. Choose solid or printed fabric to match the decor in the room.
Tabletops vary in width and table legs usually vary about 3 inches in height. For a tailored tablecloth, lay a tape measure at one edge of the table and measure across the center of the table. Divide the measurement in half. Measure from the top edge of the table to the floor or the top of the carpet and subtract 1 inch. Table legs are normally about 28 inches. Add the two measurements together and double the number to get the total measurement of the tablecloth.
If the tabletop is 30 inches and the drop measurement is 27 inches, then the total needed is 84 inches. When using fabric that is 45 inches wide you will need two pieces of fabric 84 inches long. To eliminate the seam line use sheeting fabric.
Remove the selvage edges from the fabric panels, pin and sew the panels together lengthwise with a 1/4-inch seam. Serge the raw edges and press to one side. If a serger is not available make the seam 1/2 inch, press open and topstitch 1/4 inch from the seam line on top of the fabric. Don't press the edges of the panel ó it will stretch the fabric which is cut on the bias and it will be hard to hem.
Fold the panel in half and then fold it in half again. Pin a tape measure at the folded corner, which is the center of the fabric. Divide the total length needed (84 inches) in half (42 inches) and pivot the tape measure around the fabric, while marking the fabric with chalk or a pen. Cut through all four layers on the line for an 84-inch circle.
Serge or overlock the raw edge, turn up 1/4 inch twice and topstitch the hem in place. Press the tablecloth and place on table. There will be 11/2 inches of space between the bottom of the tablecloth and the floor or the top of the carpet.
To make a tabletop with a 9-inch ruffle cut the fabric 67 inches long. Follow the directions above for the selvage edges, piecing the fabric, folding and cutting the fabric. The measurement for the pivoting of the tape measure is 331/2 inches. Cut through all four layers for a 67-inch circle.
While the fabric is still lying in quarters, measure the outside edge. The width of the ruffle can be cut six to eight times that number. I cut my ruffle 200 inches by 10 inches.
Turn the hem of the ruffle up 1/4-inch twice and topstitch. Divide the ruffle and the tablecloth into eight sections and mark.
Gather the ruffle using your favorite method and pin onto the tablecloth matching the marks. Sew the ruffle to the tablecloth using a 1/2-inch seam allowance.
