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Vintage Table Topper

Posted on January 26, 2009June 16, 2012 by Martha

First of all, I want to thank everyone who made such nice comments about Marjorie’s Quilt and the Anniversary Sampler. It makes me very happy when other quilters and crafters like my work.

In 2007 I purchased a lot of 50 cutter tablecloths for $50. A few of them were practically minty and I kept those whole to use as….well…tablecloths. Most had small issues — little holes or stains — but that didn’t matter for what I had planned. I cut up the rest of the cloths to make reusable grocery bags to give as Christmas presents (I will post some of these next with instructions). The leftover scraps I used to make this little table square. It’s a fun project and goes very quickly — it doesn’t need batting and I simply machine quilted the top to the backing (in the ditch). Normally I find a cute print for the back, but I happened to have a reproduction tablecloth that I thought would work well here. Instead of a separate binding, I turned the repro cloth over which made a cute wide binding because of the printed scallop on the edge — it’s reversible. I like to make these squares as opposed to rectangle runners because they work better on my tables, but you could do either. I guess you could make a whole tablecloth like this, but I kind of like the wood showing a little.

 

tablesquare2

5 thoughts on “Vintage Table Topper”

  1. Bunny says:
    January 27, 2009 at 8:49 am

    It’s so cheerful, I LOVE it! This one immediately brought a smile to my face. I really like the reverse side of the cloth as well, its border is adorable. Normally I don’t go for flowery prints, but you’ve used a whole lot of very pretty ones and berries too, so cute.

    Reply
  2. Coralie Johnson says:
    January 27, 2009 at 2:35 pm

    I absolutely LOVE this tablecloth, Martha! I’m so inspired by your idea and the vintage cloths used that I wish I could start one right now. I also like the way you’ve put this together. And thanks for the easy to follow directions! I’m really looking forward to seeing the instructions for the reusable grocery bags you mentioned!

    Reply
  3. Martha says:
    January 28, 2009 at 10:26 pm

    Thanks Bunny and Coralie — I guess it’s not often that you would have this many different tablecloth scraps, but the idea works equally well using other fabrics. I’ve made them with feedsacks, vintage dress fabrics & vintage Marimekko scraps — all very different looking. I’d love to make one with barkcloth scraps some day.

    Reply
  4. Gail says:
    November 12, 2014 at 8:50 pm

    I’m with you guys. What a super way to recycle these vintage treasures. I can hardly wait to make one And I already have my materials. Thx so much Martha. Keep great things coming!

    Reply
  5. Shirley Ehly says:
    March 23, 2021 at 9:59 am

    What an absolutely fantastic idea! I have saved embroidered pieces from thrift shops over the years, this is such a lovely way to use them. Thank you so much for this idea Martha! I had thought of curtains, this is so much better!

    Reply

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