How to Make a Round Tablecloth

Co-authored by Donna Serino

Last Updated: March 31, 2022 References Approved

In addition to covering your dining or kitchen table, a homemade tablecloth can cover a small, round side table. Depending upon the width of the fabric and the tabletop, you may need to sew several widths of fabric together to make a round tablecloth. You can learn how to make a round tablecloth out of several fabrics. You can sew a tablecloth out of a mid-weight cotton or linen fabric or use a laminated cotton for a wipe-off tablecloth.

Steps

1
Measure the diameter of the tabletop.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Donna Serino
Dry Cleaning & Alterations Specialist
Expert Interview. 31 August 2021.} Also measure the length from the tabletop to the floor if you want to make a round tablecloth that stretches to the floor.^{[2]
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- If you don't want the homemade tablecloth to reach the floor, measure the distance you'd like it to fall to.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Donna Serino
  Dry Cleaning & Alterations Specialist
  Expert Interview. 31 August 2021.} For example, if you will be sitting at the table, you may want the cloth to fall just above your legs.
2
Determine how much fabric you need. Add the tabletop's diameter to twice the length of the finished tablecloth.

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3
Cut a length of fabric that measures the diameter plus twice the length, plus 1 inch (2.54 cm) for a hem.
4
Place the 2 lengths of fabric on top of each other, right-sides facing each other. Pin the fabrics together along 1 long "wrong" side.^{[4]
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- Only do this if your fabric is not wide enough to cover then entire table. For example, if your tabletop is 36 inches (.91 m) across and the finished homemade tablecloth will be 18 inches (.45 m) long, you'll need a piece of fabric that measures 72 inches (1.83 m) square.
5
Sew the fabrics together along the pinned side, .5 inch (1.27 cm) away from the edge.
6
Unfold the fabrics, and iron the seam flat.
7
Trim the width of the fabric so it covers the size of the round tablecloth plus 1 inch (2.54 cm) for the hem.
8
Fold the piece of fabric in half, right side facing in. Fold it in half again, the opposite way, so that you have a square of fabric 1/4 the size of the original piece.^{[5]
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9
Set the tape measure diagonally across the folded fabric, from the folded corner to the opposite corner. Measure half the finished size of the round tablecloth from the top corner, and make a mark at that point on the fabric.
10
Draw a curved line from that mark to the top outer corner and another from that mark to the bottom inner corner.
11
Cut the fabric along the lines you just drew. When you unfold the tablecloth fabric, you should have a perfect circle.
12
Iron the circle flat to remove any creases creating by folding the fabric.^{[6]
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13
Hem the homemade tablecloth. Fold under the edge of the circle 1/4 inch (.64 cm), and fold it under another 3/4 inch (1.9 cm). Pin and then sew the hem.

Community Q&A

Question

How much 43" wide material do I need for a 60" round table with a 13" drop?

Community Answer

Find the width of the tablecloth: 60 + 13 (drop on one side) + 13 (drop on other side) = 86". Add an additional inch either side for hemming = 88". You will need three lengths of fabric 2.5 yards (90") long, so 7.5 yards.
Question

How much fabric do I need for table 60 inches diameter by 66 cm high?

Community Answer

For a table 60 inches in diameter with a 5-inch drop each side, your fabric should be 60 inches wide.
Question

How much trim is needed to fit around the edges of a 60" tablecloth?

Community Answer

After cutting cloth as outlined above, fold cloth in half to form a half-circle. Fold that half-circle in half to form a round-bottomed triangle. Fold that triangle in half to form a smaller triangle. Measure the bottom curved end of the last and smallest triangle you just formed (make sure the fold side of the triangle you are measuring is absolutely flat, as not doing so could affect your measurement) and multiply that measurement by 8. This will give you the circumference of your tablecloth, which will be the amount of trim you need to finish your project. I would, however, suggest you add 6 inches or so just in case your measurement was less than precise.