Creatively Using Fabric to Decorate Your Dinner Table

You have invited the guests and planned the menu for a fabulous dinner party. What now? It is time to decorate your table. Creating a beautiful table can easily be accomplished with a variety of fabrics. There are so many designs to choose from, that you should have no trouble finding just the right textiles for your special event. Don't worry if you don't sew, these table scape ideas are accomplished with no sewing.

Tablecloth

A tablecloth for a dinner party of any theme is very simple to make, and you are really not making anything. Simply measure your table top and add several inches to the length for overhang. Purchase your fabric by the measured length. The most common sizes of fabric widths available are 45 inches and 60 inches. Make sure your cut edges are even because you will not be stitching a hem on this tablecloth.

Place Mats

Old place mats work wonderfully as a pattern. Use a fabric that coordinates with the tablecloth and party theme, cut two place mat fabric pieces for each place mat, adding a 1/2 inch on all sides. To construct each place mat, place two fabric pieces together with the right sides facing. Slip fusible hem tape between the edges on one side of the place mat. Iron the ends together. Repeat for the other sides. Leave a three inch opening that you didn't iron. Turn the place mat right side out through the opening. Tuck the edges of the opening inside and fuse the place mat closed. Iron the place mat flat. Repeat for the remaining place mats. If you would rather sew the place mats, use a 1/2 inch seam allowance instead of the tape.

Table Runner

A table runner can be made in much the same way as a place mat. Cut the width the same as a place mat and the length should measure the length of the table, minus the place settings on each end. For a unique table runner/place mat combination, make several long runners and have them cross the table from place setting to place setting. If you have beautiful piece of fabric that you do not want to cut or hem tape together, bunch and pool it in the center of the table for your table runner.

Coasters

Cut 4 inch squares of burlap in a color that matches you party theme for the drink coasters. Make sure you follow the natural weave of the fabric so that the edges are even. Pull the threads from the edges of the squares, fraying a 1/4 inch border.

Napkins

Quite often you can find preprinted quilt squares to use as cloth napkins or, again, choose fabric that coordinates with the theme and other fabrics. Rip your fabric into 12 inch squares or if you are using preprinted squares, use the natural line of the squares for measurement.

Napkin Rings

Bring out the glue gun and old shower curtain rings for this one. Rip strips of fabric or use fancy fabric ribbons to wrap around the rings. Glue the ends to the inside and add beads, buttons, charms or other miscellaneous items to the top on one side of the napkin ring. Place your napkins in the rings to complete the look.