Seamless Cover-Up

Tablecloths cut from standard yard goods require a seam or two because of the fabric's narrow width. Sheets come wide enough to eliminate the seam, letting the cloth lay smooth and flat. Generally, sheets are made in the following standard sizes, so use these measurements as a guideline for choosing the proper sheet for your project: twin, 71x110 inches; full, 87x110 inches; queen, 95x118 inches; king, 108x120 inches.

Cut the fabric 2 inches longer and 2 inches wider than the desired size. Turn under all edges 1/4 inch, then 3/4 inch, and hem by machine or with fusible hemming tape. Iron on a border of 1-1/2-inch-wide grosgrain ribbon, aligning the edge of the ribbon with the edge of the hem. If fusible hemming tape isn't available in the width of your ribbon, combine two narrow strips or cut strips from yardage of paper-backed fusible webbing. Corners can butt, lap, or miter -- whichever works best for your ribbon weight and pattern.

Iron-on hemming tape, which comes in various widths and weights, makes adding a ribbon border to your tablecloth a breeze. The cloth's hem concealed beneath the ribbon can be fused in place, too, but it's best to sew the hem. The heat generated from adding the ribbon can soften the glue and cause the hem to slide out of place.