How to Make a Tablecloth for an Octagon Dining Table

Commercial tablecloths are available in a few sizes and shapes and usually in white, off-white and a few seasonal colors or patterns. To find a tablecloth for an unusual shaped table, such as an octagon, may be difficult. So make a custom tablecloth in the fabric, color and size that your table needs. Once you have the pattern for an octagonal table, you can make tablecloths for special occasions, events and holidays. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Measure the width of the octagon table. Add this width to twice the drop length that you want. The drop is the amount of fabric that falls from the table edge toward the floor. Once you have this measurement, add 3 inches for seams and hem to the width and to the length.

2

Purchase twice the fabric length plus a few extra inches for shrinkage.

3

Wash and dry the fabric. Iron it to remove wrinkles. Sew the two fabric pieces together lengthwise with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Iron the seam flat.

4

Tape kraft paper together so it creates one piece the same size as the fabric square. Center the paper over the table, and draw the exact outline of the table top on the paper with a marker.

5

Place the paper on the floor. Measure the fall length plus 1 inch (for the hem) and mark this new measurement from each edge of the octagon. With a yardstick, connect the new measurements to draw a new octagon outline around the perimeter of the first octagon.

6

Cut out the larger octagon. Pin the pattern to the fabric, and cut out the tablecloth along the edges of the octagon pattern.

7

Fold the edge of the fabric under 1/4 inch and iron. Fold over another 1/4 inch, and sew a hem along the edge of the entire tablecloth.