Stay Put Picnic Tablecloth and Bench Covers
Dateline: 06/12/98
Here's a picnic table cloth that will stay put even on a windy day. Make matching bench covers that can be tossed in the washer for easy clean up.
Materials Needed
- 4 2/3 yds of washable fabric 45" or 60" wide (you will have scraps) Formula for fabric needs
- Elastic - twelve ¼" wide by 8" pieces for bench and table cover
- Thread
Directions
Cut table cloth 82" by 36". Cut the bench covers 82" by 21". (Or the table top dimension plus the depth and 3" measurement added to all four edges)
mark out the corners as pictured in the diagram by the corner blocks.
Match each corner line and stitch 1/4" towards the corner. You are adding to the table top measurement for ease.
The diagram shows where your stitch lines would be with the corners laid out flat.
Serge or zig zag the seam edge.
Finish the edge of the table cloth with a serger or with a baby hem (turned under 1/4" and then 1/4" again to enclose raw edges, top stitch hem into place.)
Find the center of each piece of elastic. Line it up with the corner seams. Stretch the elastic to 7" from the corner seam. Pin end of the elastic at the 7" mark.
Stretch the elastic as you stitch it down.
Repeat for all four corners.
Use the same procedure to make the bench covers. Overlap the elastic if necessary on the narrow edge.
Tips
Preshrink your fabric, to prevent it shrinking after you have made it to fit.
Use bright happy colors.
Use a piece of foam under the bench covers for added comfort.
For a round table, make a circle ( the size of the table top plus the depth of the table , plus three inches) similar to the directions for a Christmas tree skirt and add slightly stretched elastic to the entire edge.
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