How to Make Different Sizes of Tablecloths

Making your own tablecloth requires only a few tools and a little time. Given the cost of table covers today, making your own is also very cost effective. Additionally, once you have created a pattern with your table measurements, it can be used to make any number of tablecloths in the future. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

Pattern DIY

1

Measure the top of your table. For rectangular and square tables this is the width and length of the table. For round tables, you can place one end of a measuring tape on one side of the table, then stretch the tape across the center of the table. Note the measurement. Divide that number in half and note the number. For oval tables, measure the width at the widest point of the table and measure the length at the longest end of the table. Divide those numbers in half and write them down.

2

Use pattern paper, newspaper taped together, old rolls of wrapping paper or large sheets of art paper. Using a straight-edge ruler and a marker for a square or rectangular table, draw a line down the center of the paper that is as long as the length measurement you took. At the center of that line, draw a line across it that is the width of the width measurement. Draw width lines on the top and bottom of the vertical line and make sure that they line up with one another on the paper. Now use those horizontal lines and draw the two remaining vertical lines to form the square or rectangular top of your table.

For a round table, make a pen mark in the center of the paper. Place the end of the measuring tape on that mark and measure out the inches that you came up with when you divided the width of the table in half. For example, if your table was 20 inches across and you divided and came up with ten inches, then you would measure out ten inches with the tape. Use a book or another heavy object to hold the end of the tape at the center mark and work your way around the paper in a circle with the measuring tape, drawing a line as you do. You will end up with a circle that is the size of the top of the table.

For an oval table, you will make a mark in the center of the table, as for round tables, but you will also make a cross through that mark, drawing a vertical line and horizontal line through the vertical line, with both lines being equal to the measurements that you took. Then starting at the top of the vertical line, simply draw a rounded line from the top of the vertical line to the first end of the horizontal line and repeat this process until you have an oval drawn on your pattern paper.

3

Measure the distance from the edge of the table top to your floor and determine how low you want your tablecloth to hang. There is no standard; it is a matter of choice. Write that measurement down.

4

Using the measurement from step 3, place your measuring tape on the outside line of your table top pattern and draw a line around the entire pattern that equals that measurement. For example, if you determined that you want your table cloth to hang down over the edge of the table by 24 inches, you would draw a line around the entire table top pattern that extends 24 inches past the pattern.

5

Place the pattern on the material that you have selected for your tablecloth and cut it out. You can add a hem in the material, or add a trim to the bottom, as desired.

Freestyle

6

Select the material that you want to use.

7

Place the material on the table so that it is centered.

8

Cut the material to the length that you desire all the way around the table.

9

Sew a 1/4 to 1/2 inch hem at the bottom of the cloth.

What Is Table Linen?

Table linens are an easy way to decorate a dining table, and because of the large variety of designs and colors available, they provide a fun way to change your decor according to season, style or changing tastes. Table linens are intended to be functional as well as decorative. Ranging from affordable to extravagant, there are table linens to suit any style. Does this Spark an idea?

Definition

Table linens are fabric accessories for the decoration of dining tables. They also provide protection from spills and stains.

Tablecloths

Tablecloths are large finished fabric pieces designed to cover the entire table. They may be decorative or utilitarian and are made from a variety of fabrics, from cotton to linen.

Placemats

Placemats are smaller, finished pieces of fabric, designed to cover the space on the table in front of each individual diner. Placemats are also available in a myriad of styles and fabrics.

Napkins

Napkins are small, soft, finished pieces of fabric that coordinate with tablecloths or placemats, and are intended for wiping your hands and mouth during a meal.

Table Runners

A table runner is a purely decorative piece of fabric, often brocade or upholstery, that runs down the middle of the table. Table runners often stretch the entire length of a table.

What Is the Standard Size for a Pool Table?

Pool table sizes can vary depending on the purpose the table will serve and the size of the room the pool table will be placed in. Many people have, or know somebody who has, a pool table in their home. The pool table found at one person's home may be different than the pool table size found at the local pool halls or in another person's home. Tables can range in size from 7 feet to 9 feet in size. While only certain sizes are allowed in tournament play, most novice pool players will enjoy playing on any of the available pool table sizes.

Purpose

The purpose of establishing standard pool table sizing is to set the standard for competitive and tournament play. With standardized sizing, all competitors are ensured of a fair game.

Height

According to the the World Pool-Billiard Association, the WPA, the standard pool table height should be 29 1/2 inches to 31 inches high.

Playing Surface

There are three standard pool table sizes. Playing surfaces can be 7 feet, 8 feet or 9 feet in size. The area should be both rectangular in size and symmetrical. The only sizes used by the WPA for tournament play are the 8- and 9-feet tables. An 8-foot table measures 92-by-46 inches, and a 9-foot table measures 100-by-50 inches.

Rails and Cushions

Each rail should be from 4 inches to 7 1/2 inches wide, including the cushion.

Other Specifications

Besides the size and measurements of the components of the pool table, there are other specifications for pool tables. The cloth color should be a yellow-green, blue-green or electric blue according to the WPA. Also, the cloth should be non-pilling and made from 85-percent combed worsted wool and 15-percent nylon. The WPA prefers 100-percent combed worsted wool.

How to Resurface Ping Pong Paddles

The key piece of equipment for a ping-pong (or table tennis) player is the paddle. The rubber on the paddle can affect the way you play the game, and what kind of spin you put on the ball. The rubber can suffer from wear and tear and will need to be replaced from time to time. A good way to tell if the rubber needs to be replaced is by holding a tennis ball firmly in your hand and dragging it across the rubber. If the ball slides more easily in the middle of the paddle, you should replace the rubber.

Instructions

1

Add a few drops of nail polish remover into a gap between the rubber and the paddle. Peel the rubber away as the adhesive becomes weaker, adding more nail polish remover as necessary. Remove all of the rubber surface from the paddle.

2

Sand the blade with the sandpaper to smooth out the surface and remove all traces of glue or other dirt. Pour some nail polish remover on a paper towel and use it to wipe the blade once you have finished sanding.

3

Spread a thin layer of the table tennis glue on the blade of the paddle and the sheet of table tennis rubber. Allow the glue to dry until it feels tacky, then lay the rubber on top of the blade.

4

Use the roller or bottle to to press the rubber firmly against the blade. Use the scissors or a sharp knife to trim the excess rubber from around the blade.

How to Make a Bar Table

If you have a small kitchen, instead of adding a big dining table, you can build a bar table which can double as an eating table. A bar table can also be placed in a corner of a family room for entertaining guests. With a little bit of elbow grease, a few household tools and a few lumber pieces you can complete this project in less than a week for those with basic carpentry skills, or a minimum of a couple of days for those with advanced carpentry skills. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Find the location in your home where you will place your bar table. Take into consideration the shape of the room and the bar placement, whether it will be placed in a corner or placed up against the wall. Also, take into consideration the number of bar stools you want to add and the space for people sitting and standing around it.

2

Measure the area of the location you picked. From this you will base how big of a bar you will build. You want it to be as proportionate to the size of the room. For an average size room, you can build a 6-foot-long bar table; for a smaller room build a bar that is 4 feet long; for a larger room you can build an 8-foot-long bar table.

3




Draw a design of the bar you plan to build, or download available bar plans from the Internet. One site that specializes in bar designs is www.precision-images.com where you pay a small fee for a complete diagram with instructions on how to put a bar table together. If you want a simple design with a bar top and four legs, you can sketch a drawing similar to the photo or image on this step. This simple design shows an overall height of 4.25 feet, with bar counter length of 5 feet and counter depth of 2 feet. The four legs are each 4 feet high.

4

Gather all materials needed.

5

Use a circular saw to cut the 4" x 4" lumber. Cut 4 pieces with each measuring at 4 feet in length.

6

Cut the plywood to measure 5 feet in length and 2 feet in width.

7

Lay the plywood flat on the floor, with the underside facing up. Attach the lumber connectors or 4" x 4" post anchor to the underside of the plywood. Place them approximately 3 inches away from each corner of the plywood. Make sure that the screws are tight.

8

Connect the legs by screwing them onto the post or lumber connectors. Drill holes for the screws to penetrate the wood better, then use a screw driver to screw a 2-inch screw to hold each side.

9

Flip the table up, then check to see if it is level by placing a level on top of the table on both directions. Make adjustments if it is wobbly or uneven.

10

Place foot protectors or pads on each foot of the 4" x 4" post. This will protect your floor from any scratches or damage.

11

Apply your tiles on top of the counter. You can choose 2" x 2" glass or ceramic tiles, or you may opt for an easier application of using mosaic tiles made from broken or remnant pieces of tiles. Apply the mortar evenly with a trowel and float, then lay down each tile carefully. For square tiles, lay them down starting from center then spreading on each side and adding spacers for even distribution. Make the necessary cut at the edge. Use tile caps to cap the edges. For mosaic, you can apply this as you wish randomly, and you can also use tile caps to cap the edge or molding to frame it.

12

Let the tiles dry overnight, then apply grout using a float. Use a wet sponge to immediately wipe off the excess grout for easy clean-up. Then allow to dry again overnight.

13

Apply a wood stain or paint on the legs or wood molding if any was used to cap the edges of the tiles. Let dry.

14

Do a final tile clean-up, making sure no residue from grout or mortar are left on the tiles. Ensure that the top is smooth and shiny. Once it is clean you can now enjoy your bar. Serve refreshments, drinks, beers, snacks or eat your favorite meal on your new bar table.

How to Set a Nice Table

You think of setting a nice table when you have guests over for a special meal. It is nice to buy flowers and candles to make guests feel welcome, but your own family is more important than anyone. Arranging a centerpiece and lighting candles can make any meal feel special. Start a weekday meal with a plate of nicely arranged salad as a first course. As a bonus it will get everyone to eat some vegetables before they fill up on other foods. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Protect the surface of a wooden table with a table pad if you will be placing hot or cold dishes on it.

2

Spread a tablecloth on the table. A white cloth is a good choice because you can dress it up to match the colors of your dinning room, and a colored cloth looks great with solid colored dishes. The cloth should be at least 20 inches larger than the table in both length and width. It is OK if the cloth overhang is slightly longer on the short ends of the table. If you do not need to use a table pad, you can use place mats instead of a table cloth.

3

Add runner, a long piece of decorative cloth about 15 inches wide, down the center of the table, if you choose. A runner is a good way to add color if you are using a white cloth and white china. The runner should not be longer than the table cloth.

4

Arrange some greenery along the center of the length of the table. Two, 2-foot-long pieces of ivy or a few branches of boxwood are sufficient. Point the cut ends of the stems toward the center of the table. The centerpiece will cover them. If you are using more than one piece on each side of the table, stick the cut ends of the pieces further along the length of the table under the leaves at the ends of the first pieces. Arrange the greenery in a graceful "S"-shaped curve.

5

Set your centerpiece in the center of the table over the ends of the stems of the greenery. Nestle votive candles in among the leaves of the greenery along the table.

6

Place a large charger plate at each place, if desired. Finish setting the table with silverware and glasses. Place a knife to the right of the plate, a teaspoon to the right of the knife. Place the dinner fork to the left of the plate and the salad fork to the left of it. The glasses go above the knife and spoon. If you are using bread and butter plates, they go above the forks.

7

Fold a napkin into a rectangle and lay it to the left of the forks. You may place it in a napkin ring if you choose. You may add a place card in a place card holder above the plate. Write each person's name on his place card.

8

Put any condiments such as salad dressing or lemon slices into attractive serving containers. Put out a serving spoon or fork for every dish.

9

Arrange salads with greens and other diced or grated vegetables on salad plates. Keep them in chilled until you are ready to serve.

10

Light the candles, fill the glasses with ice water or other beverages and set a plate of salad in the center of each place setting. Do this just before everyone comes to the table.