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Creative Crafts

from your not perfect linens

 

by Pearl Yeadon and Pam Glasell

When a vintage tablecloth has too many holes or can not be restored for use as a tablecloth, there are still many other wonderful ways to enjoy your treasure. There is nothing a dedicated crafter enjoys more than trying to make that last little scrap of material into something useful, decorative, or wearable. Old tablecloths with holes, rips, or faded areas sacrifice themselves willingly to every imaginable type of crafting project. With very little work, even the most damaged tablecloth treasure can become a summer beach outfit, a beautiful party dress, a teddy bear, a quilt, a new lampshade, a purse, or covers for picture frames, diaries, photo albums, and even button covers. There is no end to the creative ideas for pieces of vintage tablecloths. Here are just a few suggestions for one of a kind presents you can make, or to just indulge yourself.

 

Children's Clothing

Vintage not perfect tablecloths make ideal fabric for children's and even adult clothing. The material is soft and you know the colors will last, since they have already been washed many times and withstood many generations of "wear". Even if there are a few holes, it is easy to cut around any flaws in the material. There are many clothing and craft patterns available. Simply choose one that suits your sewing experience and begin.

The easiest way to cut out clothing is to first, cut out the paper pattern pieces you will actually be using, and then iron them with a cool iron so they are not wrinkled. Lay out the tablecloth material on a flat surface, and be sure to mark the holes or other flaws in some way. The front and back pieces of the garment should be cut out first, as you will most likely want to feature the predominant pattern from the tablecloth on these panels, and these will also take the largest amounts of fabric. Find the best part of the tablecloth, fold it, keeping the fold where you want the middle of the front piece to be, and cut out the front piece. Even small tablecloths will have enough useable "picture" area to cut a nice design for the front. Then either do the same for the back piece, or you can find two similar sections and cut the back section twice. If you want to be really daring, you can even cut one of the back pieces right side up, and the next, upside down or sideways. There are no absolute rules for assembling the delightful tablecloth "puzzle" that will make your new garment!

Then cut out the other parts of the garment from the material that remains. If you are making sleeves, you can either try to match the pattern from the front panel, or cut out something to contrast this. Areas like sleeves, pockets, and even collars or facings could also be cut out of material you purchase that would go with the tablecloth pattern or contrast it in some way. Your imagination and a strong sense of "fun" will help you create your own one-of-a-kind item out of the precious old souvenir tablecloth.

The same is true for a large purse. Cut a large square out of your most beautiful pattern from the tablecloth, and then use the left over areas for the back side of the purse, the straps, and the lining. Or you can purchase material to line the purse and to make those "secret pockets" that we all love so much.

 

Keep the scraps. You can cover buttons for a sudden and surprising decorator detail on an existing sweater, dress, jacket, or child's clothing item, or use the buttons on something new. Even the smallest pieces of brightly colored tablecloth make cute teddy bears, mice, or other animals. And they are easily glued onto frames, or used for any other craft items. Make sure the vintage linens you are using do not have weak spots or pinholes - these will get larger when the animal is stuffed. The animals are crafted using vintage tablecloths and new fabrics. They are made from a pattern easily found in your fabric store.

 

 

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