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Looking for a delightful and easy tutorial? Then this DIY tablecloth made entirely from handkerchiefs is just for you. Read on to get the step-by-step instructions you need to enjoy a fresh surface for your al fresco dining.
It’s summer and the picnic season is up and running! I love a good picnic, but I hate dirty and unkempt picnic tables spoiling my appetite!
The last time we picnicked, I accidently left my beloved tablecloth behind! To remedy our loss, I decided to craft a new tablecloth out of colorful handkerchief squares. I love the kitschy charm of a handkerchief! They seemed like the perfect backdrop to summer, especially in fun and funky colors!
DIY Tablecloth: How to Make a Handkerchief Tablecloth
Making your own DIY tablecloth from handkerchiefs is simple, and requires minimal sewing since the edges of the handkerchiefs are already finished.
To begin, collect your handkerchiefs.
Each handkerchief I used was between 21 and 22 inches square. Since they are handkerchiefs, imperfections are expected, but don’t let this deter you. You are making a DIY tablecloth, not a prom dress! I found 12 handkerchiefs that were roughly the same size, and used those to make my project.
Next, is the ironing. You really don’t have to iron your handkerchiefs, but I wanted to make my sewing a little bit easier for myself!
(I don’t iron for just anyone, you know! I would rather parade around in a wrinkled dress than stand in front of an ironing board all the live-long day!)
It took me about 15 minutes to iron out all of the creases in my handkerchiefs.
The next step is pinning your handkerchiefs. (Right sides together!) Again, if you are confident in your sewing skills, this is probably a step that you can skip.
Since my handkerchiefs sizes were a bit askew, I wanted to make sure that I had as much control over my sewing as possible. Now, if you have handkerchiefs that are different colors, think about what kind of a pattern you would like for your tablecloth as you pin. Don’t be like me and just mindlessly sew two handkerchiefs of the same color together!
(It really is no fun taking out your frustrations on fabric with a pointy seam ripper. Trust me.)
Finally, it is time to sew! Begin by sewing your rows. Since I used 12 handkerchiefs, I sewed 4 rows of 3.
Again, keep your colors in mind as you sew if you have multicolored handkerchiefs.
After you have your rows sewn up, lay them out on the floor to determine how you want to stitch them together.
Then, pin (right sides together!) and sew.
As soon as your rows are all sewn together, you are finished and can immediately pack up a picnic and head outside!
A handkerchief tablecloth is the perfect way to brighten up your picnic, and better yet, washable too!
What DIY creations are you making this summer? Leave a link in the comments below or come and chat with us here on our Facebook fan page!
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How awesome!! I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to do this, and came across your post. I have about 20-30 old handkerchiefs in our closet I’ve been trying to work with. Thanks so much for the step by step guide. Luckily, I have some good colors to play with so I can make it match!! Yay!
Perfect! Let me know how it goes. I would love to see your final creation!
CUTE!!! I love the colors…they are perfect together! Great instructions, too!
Thanks Renee! I thought the colors looked summery and fun!
Love this!! Can’t wait to try it myself!
Jennifer, let me know if you do. I would love to hear all about it!
Wonderful idea! Also, I suppose that you could dye them the same color as well? Although I’m a fan of the multicolor look 🙂
Wayne, I am sure you could dye them any color you wanted. I liked the multicolored look because it was fun and perfect for summer!
I love this! Such a great idea!
Thanks Connie!!
So cute! This totally makes me want to drag out my sewing machine. 😉
Michelle, it’s worth dragging out your sewing machine for sure! It only took about 25 minutes to sew them all together too!
This is so cute! Too bad I can’t sew worth a darn. 🙂
Aw, Carli! If I could, I would teach you to sew. It’s easier than you think!
I never would have thought of that. Great idea. Very clever.
Thanks Vicki!
Such a cute idea!
Thanks Stacey! You are so sweet!
What a fun idea! Your tablecloth was adorable! Thanks for the idea!
Cute!
Your tablecloth is darling, Emily.
I always like to cover picnic tables, too. Plastic table covers are easier to clean up, but the fabric versions have SO MUCH more charm!
The plastic tablecloth is an easier clean up, but I too prefer the fabric ones!
Sad to say that I can’t use a sewing machine anymore; I need to be retaught. Cute idea that I could probably still sew by hand.
Cassi, you could sew this tablecloth by hand, but it would take forever! Maybe just drag your machine out and give it a try. This would be the perfect project to re-learn the basics! And, if you mess up… handkerchiefs are cheap and you could just buy another! Good luck!
I don’t even own a sewing machine. I’ve thought of buying one to try and re-learn but I don’t even know what to look for anymore. :/
I am a very basic sewer, only straight line stiches and nothing fancy! My machine was found at a thrift shop and is over 70 years old and works great! It only sews straight lines… perfect! It’s easy to thread, and is a hearty little worker. It’s heavier than a beast, but that would be it’s only downfall. Maybe keep your eyes open at thrift shops/antique stores and find something that is easy to use. The newer machines that have all of the dials and knobs… those freak me out! I am a simple straight line girl.
So pretty! I’ve got tons of these laying around and can’t wait to try!
Renia, let me know how yours goes! I would love to hear all about it!