Laminated Fabric Picnic Tablecloth

It’s already been put to hard use, with the tabletop often becoming scattered with pine tree leaving and dust.  Additionally, the decorative cutouts along the table’s edge lured little hands to poke at it with forks so I thought a tablecloth was in order.

I looked at the selection of laminated fabrics on Fabric.com and was pleasantly surprised to find this Heather Bailey print which coordinated very nicely with the pillows which came with the patio set.  That never happens – even with more readily matched fabrics!  And it was on sale – even better!

I simply folded over 1/2″ twice, using paper clips instead of pins to keep from poking a bunch of holes in the laminate.  If you have quilt binding clips I imagine those would do the job handily as well.  I did learn not to push the paperclip past where the cut end juts out or it would catch on the fabric.  Stitch close to each side of the hem.  Repeat, repeat, repeat on each of the other sides.

I’ve read others talk about using tissue paper when sewing with laminates or vinyl but I have to say that my Janome handled this fabric like a champ.  This machine is a workhorse, handling heavy use as well as difficult fabrics and finesse stitches.

I also sewed down a little dog ear on each corner, if you will; to help keep it in place.  Now I’ve got a pretty tablecloth which I can wipe off easily.  Hoo-ray!