Thanksgiving is not only eating turkey and dressing and watching football games. For us in the Fab Household, it is also about crafts and making the table look good. This month, I decided to make three crafts: An easy one, an intermediate one, and an advanced one. See if you can guess which is which!
The first thing I made was a round tablecloth for my Thanksgiving Day table. I picked out a fabric that looked like fall:
I bought three yards of this Cranston VIP fabric from Joann. To cut the fabric, here is a graphic that shows how to:
When you get through cutting the fabric, you will have one piece that measures 72: X 44″; 2 pieces that measure 36″ X 11 inches; and 4 pieces that measure 18″ X 11″.
To put these pieces together, take one 36″ X 11″ pieces and 2 18″ X 11″ pieces, and sew one of the 18″ pieces to each end of the 36″ piece, right sides together, using a 1/2 inch seam. . Repeat with the other 36″X11″ piece and the other two 18″ X 11″ pieces. Press seams open. You will now have two pieces that measure about 71″ X 11″.
Find the center of the 71″ X 11″ pieces and mark it in the seam, so that you can match it to the center of the 72″ X 44″ piece. Pin the long edge of one 71″ X 11″ piece to the long edge of the 72″ X 44″ piece, right sides together, matching centers. Stitch together using a 1/2 inch seam. Press seam open. Repeat with the other 71″ X 11″ piece on the other side of the 72″ X 44″ piece.
Now that you have sewn all the pieces together, you will have a large almost square piece. Fold in half, then fold in half again n the bias. Lay this out flat on the floor or other large surface.
Cut the wide end of the folded fabric in a curve, like the one shown above, as close to the edge of the fabric as you can. When the fabric is unfolded, it will be a circle. Press under 1/4 inch around the entire circle. Stitch. Press under 1/4 inch again, stitch. Your round tablecloth will be complete.
Once my round tablecloth was completed, I felt like it needed some new cloth napkins to go with it. So, I made some using some solid dark burdundy Kona Cotton fabric from Joann Fabrics. These were a lot easier to make than the tablecloth. Just cut out a square the size you want, and stitch a rolled hem all the way around. Cut. Sew. Done. If you want to know how big to cut them I would say use a 22″ square for each one. A yard of fabric will make 4 napkins that size. The ones I made are just a bit too small, and I cut them 16″ square.
And then….after I made my napkins, I decided that I needed a nice set of napkin rings to use with them. To make my napkin ring, I cut a piece of 3/8 inch burgundy grosgrain ribbon 18″ long. I strung a 16mm bead on the ribbon and centered it in the middle of the 18″ length. Then, I threaded the ends through the bead again, and tied a knot. I added another bead on side of the ribbon, then threaded the other side of the ribbon through the second bead until it was tight against the knot of the first bead. I continued adding beads in this manner until I had six beads strung. I tied a knot, then strung the ends of the thread through the first bead, and pulled it tight. When this was done, I tied a bow, leaving the ends of the ribbon. Here is what my napkin rings look like”
Now that my tablecloth, napkins, and napkin rings are done, I can hardly wait for Thanksgiving day to get here! I had fun making them, and I hope that my family and friends like them too.
You can make so many pretty things with supplies, fabric, and crafting materials found in the Joann Craft Catalog.
And, you can save money too, with the 50% off one item coupon below. It is valid until Nov 30, 2013, either in the store or online.
What are you going to be making?
Lynsey Jones says
I LOVE stuff like this!! I keep saying I am going to get a sewing machine! How fun!
Billie R says
Gorgeous, you have great talent! Thank you for sharing.
Kimberly says
What a great idea. You made it look so easy too! I’m not very handy when it comes to stuff like this. I am lucky if I can sew a button. However you made this look super easy. Maybe I’ll make the attempt to make my own one day.
geogypsy2u says
I love the fall leaves fabric and think the round table cloth would be the hardest for me.
Dianna (@OyVeyaDay) says
They are all lovely. With my skills, I am probably limited to making the napkin rings… but one day, I hope to learn to sew!
Alison says
Oh this is just gorgeous!! We don’t have Thanksgiving at my house but we do Christmas… and I wish I could sew lol.
Lisa McCrory Johnston says
Great job, Karen! I love it!
Tonya Prater (@travelermom) says
The tablecloth and napkins turned out beautifully! You did a great job. There’s no way I could make it. I’ve never learned to sew. Maybe one day.
amy deeter says
that is very beautiful.great job and thanks for sharing with us.