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Would like to make a tablecloth for my 44" square umbrella table. I want to make a slit so I can take it off easily.

I get how to make the hole. But how do you make the slit wide enuf to overlap and close?
How would you close it to make the seam fit together again? Would you use a zipper? velcro?

Can I make the slit so it doesn't fall directly in front of a seating area?

Thanks so much
N

This message has been edited. Last edited by: nance425,

What I would do FIRST is to go somewhere where they sell what you want to make and look it over -- then go from there. I would assume velcro -- they wouldn't mess with a zipper commercially.

I had tablecloths for my two round patio tables and I just cut a hole in the middle so that we can have tablecloths and umbrella at the same time -- I figured if we don't have umbrella, we'll have centerpiece so the hole won't show.

Sure, you have to lift the umbrella up and out to get the tablecloth off -- but we only use the tablecloth when we have company so I don't mind -- it's just part of cleaning up!

Martha

I had one and it had a zipper closure. I would look around and see what some stores have. I don't have an umbrella but don't they come apart part way up the post so that if you did not have an opening you would not have to remove the whole post?

Wanda

I found two links that you might find helpful. They use two different methods to account for the overlap.

http://www.ehow.com/how_779878...ables-umbrellas.html

and

http://www.ehow.com/how_762340...around-umbrella.html

Linderhof and goldiesmom - thank you so much for your thoughts. If I don't make a slit, I would have to lift the whole umbrella out of the hole each time I wanted to put the tablecloth on. It's too heavy for me to lift, so that wouldn't work for me. We use it a lot and I was thinking of just keeping the cloth on all the time and removing it when we need to use the table. Or vice versa...just putting it over the table when we use it. Not sure yet. But I do want something washable, maybe vinyl coated, etc. I just hate washing the table so often.

Gracie, I think I'll do the instructions for the second link you posted. I don't have to piece it because I can just buy 54" wide fabric x 54" L to make it square with some overlap
Blanket binding? Who would have thought?
I wonder if I can just make the binding out of the fabric instead of using the blanket binding???

This message has been edited. Last edited by: nance425,

I think they chose blanket binding because it's heavy and would hold up to the velcro being pulled against it. You could probably use a heavy twill seam tape, too.

You won't have but 5 inch hang less hem on each side with 54 inch fabric. IMHO, you need more than that. A thought would be to make a casing with elastic to help hold it in place. That would take care of the hemming.


Also, if you want vinyl, there is an iron on stuff that you iron to your fabric. Made by the folks that have Heat 'n Bond.

After you make one, won't be difficult to make others.

If it was mine, I would probably put a long lapped zipper to one corner from the center. It wouldn't be in a placesetting there.

Good luck. Would love to see photos of your finished cloth.

ETA: Went back to look at your photo. Your table and chairs look a lot like mine, except our table is a rectangle. We don't have an umbrella. Have really enjoyed having it this summer. Been a little too hot lately to eat outside. Hope the heatwave is over and that we don't have another.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Strings,

Strings: good points. I guess 5" overhang would be a bit skimpy.

Do u think I could still do a casing with elastic on the hem if I put a zipper in it? I guess it would just be a bit lumpy in that section under the table.

But, wait a minute...can i do a stretchy casing on a square table? My corners are kind of rounded, too. Have never done a casing before, although I know you just do a narrow hem and put the elastic through it.

Geez, here I thought this project would be "no big deal." I'm having 2nd thoughts about it now.

If you do a casing, maybe you should use a drawstring instead of elastic similar to the way an ironing board cover is constructed. The two end could be tied right at the point of your opening.

That's a good idea Gracie. How much of an overhang would you leave after hemming?
Do ya think a casing will tie up ok with those rounded corners on a square table?

quote:

Originally posted by nance425:
How much of an overhang would you leave after hemming?
Do ya think a casing will tie up ok with those rounded corners on a square table?

I think would leave 3"-4" to have enough fabric to easily cover and cinch together. I don't know how well it will work, but clearly it works with the corners of an ironing board. I think I would buy some super cheap muslin and try to make the cover. That way I could experiment with different methods to see how they would work.

If you go with a casing and I like the drawstring idea, cut our a little at each corner and tie around the table legs. If you do a zipper, mover it over a little so it isn't in an exact corner. Just beside it. If you use a casing, you won't need as much hangover as with it just loose. Good idea to experiment with some muslin or an old sheet.

10 to 12 inches of drape is recommended for indoor tablecloths. Personally I don't always have that much, inside or outside.

gracie and strings - thanks so much for your ideas. Will have to play around with the idea; gotta find some fabric. Looking for something with red/tan if you have any ideas.

Nance,

You could make the cloth in TWO equal lengths with HALF circle cut-outs in center.

Zipper from edge of cloth to center. Then zipper from edge of cloth to center on the opposite side.

The zipper tabs would stop on each side of the table post.

Just a thought for you to try.

BR's - great idea. I figured I'd have to piece it to get the overhang right. Darn!
I thought I could get away with one width.

Any ideas what kind of fabric to look for and where? I wonder if I can find summer tablecloths and piece them. ???? Hmmmm...wheels are spinning. (looking for red with tan cuz I have a red umbrella to the table and tan cushions for the patio seating.)

BR's: Do you think I could put the zipper in off set from center, so it's not going across a seating area. Would make for a wobbly plate on top of the zipper. Not quite visualizing the zipper placement to avoid this. ???

Nance425, How about buying a round ready-made cloth? I use a round cloth on my square dining table all the time.

Here's one that I found on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fauna-...&hash=item589485b535

The 70" diameter would give you a 13" drop on the sides...just about perfect.

Here's a plain red and white stripe:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vinyl-...&hash=item48460cb256

hey gracie, look what I found!!!
Wonder if they have it in the store. Not my colors so I'd like to check it out and see how they make em.

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.co...-zipper-closure.html

The only problem is the zipper is right smack in the middle of the seating area.

p.s. why aren't the url's working????

This message has been edited. Last edited by: nance425,

Doesn't this look like the same one you posted from ebay? $32 vs $15 at BBB. Unbelievable!

It looks like EXACTLY the same one! I'd guess that's where the eBay seller bought theirs...sorry for the bad lead. It's a round cloth...you can put the zipper wherever you want it, like on the the corner. They just show the zipper in that position so you can see the construction.

gracie, don't apologize. You had no way of knowing about the one at BBB! It was such a coincidence we found the same thing!!!
I just think "what a rip off" to some sucker...and that could have been me if it were my colors!!!!