So, I did this thing!!! I stepped outside my comfort zone and created something that I have fallen in love with. I had a similar idea percolating in the back of my mind, but a project for my niece was the push I needed to bring it to life. Emily—or as I like to call her, Em—is my brother’s oldest daughter and the third of my siblings’ kids to get married. When I told her I’d love to help in any way, I was thrilled when she reached out, asking me to make a tablecloth for her bridal shower.
She sent me a few examples of what she envisioned: hand-stitched tablecloths. One featured flowers and bugs with a spring theme, and another looked like a table set for dinner. She had already purchased artwork on Etsy for cards and other wedding prep materials. With her vision in mind, I was set to create a bridal shower tablecloth.
The Creative Spark for the Bridal Shower Tablecloth
The curtains in my bedroom are stitched with thick thread. Giving me the idea of recreating the hand-stitched look Em wanted. Since my sewing machine can’t sew with thick thread, I created a more dramatic effect using yarn.
I bought three different yarns to test out my idea. To see if my plan could work, I drew a simple flower and vase on quilting cotton with a marker. The thickest yarn—which I was convinced would be the one I’d use—turned out to be too bulky. The medium yarn was perfect, while the thinnest yarn also worked but made me nervous because it might not always fully cover the drawn lines. Each yarn had pros and cons, and none were wrong choices—just different options.
Initially, I attempted to use Fray Check to glue the yarn to the fabric, but that turned into a nightmare. (Lesson learned: don’t grab the first thing within arm’s reach!) Next time, I’ll test good old-fashioned glue.
The Mission:
To create a tablecloth for a bridal shower.
The Objective:
Take inspiration from Em’s photos and make something unique while staying true to my quilty world.
Knowing it would take many hours to make a 120” x 60” tablecloth from scratch, I decided to buy a pre-made one instead. This allowed me to focus on the fun, creative part without burning out. I first checked Walmart, but didn’t love the sizes they offered because they wouldn’t drape well over the table. Luckily, I found the perfect oversized tablecloth at Target for just $20—a total steal!
This project was a great opportunity to practice my free-motion quilting skills. If you’d like to learn more about free-motion quilting, click here.
The Video:
The Process:
I also created a video showing how I made this one-of-a-kind work of art. Be sure to check it out on YouTube! Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Designing the Artwork
I opened the artwork in Illustrator and created the document size the same as the tabletop (100” x 46”). I ensured everything stayed a couple of inches inside the edges. (I worried unnecessarily about going over the edges—it turned out fine!) - Printing and Sectioning
My printer can handle 11” x 17” paper, so I split the artboard into seven columns and four rows, creating 28 sections. I numbered all of them. - Transferring the Design
Using my lightbox (a rarely used but invaluable tool), I transferred the designs onto the tablecloth with a mechanical pencil. Be sure to align each section’s lines with the previous one. - Stabilizing the Fabric
I ironed freezer paper onto the back of each drawn section before stitching. Only work on one section at a time—this helps minimize puckering caused by tight or abundant stitches. - Stitching the Yarn
Using my sewing machine, I stitched the yarn onto the top side of the tablecloth. Be sure to secure the starting and ending edges by stitching back and forth several times. Since yarn is made up of multiple twisted strands, it can unravel if not properly secured.
I had so much fun creating this bridal shower tablecloth for Em and exploring all the possibilities! I’m even considering creating a downloadable pattern so you can try out this process, too.
So, tell me—what would you like to make? My go-to is always stars. What’s yours?
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and cheers to another creative year!
