With this easy-to-make cover, you can transform any table ~ a fancy table into a craft table, a shabby table into an elegant table, or change the look of a coffee or end table with pretty fabrics . . . Make the sides as long as you want.
I needed to make a custom table cover for a table at Starting Grounds Church for a large, mahogany table with a leather top. We wanted to use it in a classroom and protect the table for craft projects. I purchased brown tablecloth vinyl which has the soft felt on the back side. It's not very colorful, but it goes with the room and is great for crafts; it just wipes clean. You can use whatever fabric, oil cloth, vinyl or whatever you want, and cover any size table.
Purchase enough fabric to cover the width and length of the table and enough to do the sides around the entire table (I made these sides 5"; but you can make the sides as long as you want). Just add 1" for seam allowance and 1-2" for hem if using fabric (you don't need to hem vinyl).
The best way I found to mark the cloth to fit the table top is to put it wrong side up on the table, place a couple large books on it to keep it from moving, and then use a piece of chalk and mark around the edge of the table. It worked perfectly.
Cut the table top 1" larger than the chalk line to allow for the seam allowance.
Decide how long you want the side length to be and add 1" for seam allowance and any inches if needed for a hem. I cut the sides at 5.5" to have a 4-5" length.
Cut as many strips as you will need to go around the table. (If you want gathered fabric sides, you can double the fabric).
Sew your side strips together, end to end, with right sides together, using 1/2" seams. Press seams open if you are using fabric. {If you are going with the gathered/ruffle look, after sewing together, you'll need to baste around the top and adjust your gathers to fit the table top and pin with right sides together}.
Sew the sides to the top with right sides together, using 7/8" seam. Leave about 5" unsewn at the beginning so you can sew the final side seam together for a perfect fit.
Continue sewing until you are about 5" from the end. Stop and cut the final side piece adding 1/2" on each side for the seam. Pin and sew sides together.
Finish sewing the side to the top.
Finished top (back side)
You can make this table cover out of any fabric; a bed sheet, recycled tablecloth, vinyl or oil cloth for easy cleanup (great for crafts) or any fabric to match your decor.
Have fun! This is easy. Now you can make a custom fitted table cover to fit any table!
That is awesome. I was trying to do something like this over the winter. My table unfortunately has downward curved edges. I ended up putting grommets in each of the corners and tying the corners tight. Looks kind of cute too.
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