HomeTutorialsHand PaintedTablescapes

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Rag Fringe Table Topper

Sunday I did a black and white tablescape using this little tablecloth I made from a drop cloth scrap.  I am trying to use up my scraps so this does have a seam in the middle, but for my purposes it was perfect.


Two sides of this were already hemmed so I just hemmed up the other two sides.  I took some upholstery roping, the kind you use for welting, and tied my rag scraps onto it.  Just a simple tie.  You don't need to knot it and just lay your pieces right next to each other.  You don't need to bunch them up.  It comes out quite full.  This makes the fringe part of the tablecloth.  This fringe is so cute, you could use it just like it is for party decorations, swags, garlands.  How about some pillow fringe?  I love this stuff.

I laid the fringe down on the right side of the drop cloth and then from the back, I just did a tight baste stitch to attach it.  I tried stitching from the front side, but it was turning out to be a nightmare.  So the underside method worked the best and it is on there nice and secure.  Doesn't it look cheerful?  I am going to use this at Halloween too. 

If you have one of those special cutters and know how to use it, then by all means do that, but here is how I cut these strips lickity split.  I took a yard of fabric and folded up a third of it.  I cut on the fold.

Then I folded that one third yard of fabric in half, salvage to salvage end.  I cut on the fold.

Now I took both those pieces and folded them in half going the same direction and cut them on the fold.  I kept folding my smaller and smaller pieces and cutting on the fold until I had twelve inch long strips by one inch.   For this project I used one yard each of three different fabrics.  The toile was 60 percent off and the other two were just inexpensive cotton so the whole project was under $20.  It makes a cute accent tablecloth.  It's pretty much a no sew, meaning no sewing machine required.  I even hemmed the drop cloth by hand because I was too lazy to get the machine out.  I did the whole project while I caught up with my Tivo.  Give this fringe a try.  It's what I call a happy project, and by the way, don't worry about getting toile or any other directional fabric going in the correct direction.  When it's all finished you can't tell the difference anyway.  Happy crafting everyone.

I'm partying at...


Mondays          Le Chateau des Fleurs        The Graphics Fairy     Metamorphosis Monday
Tuesdays          Knick of Time       Tutus and Tea Parties       Coastal Charm  
                                      Boogie Board Cottage    A Stroll Thru Life
Wednesdays     Savvy Southern Style         Ivy and Elephants        Faded Charm Cottage            
                                     Fine Craft Guild      
Thursdays        Embracing Change     The Shabby Creek Cottage    No Minimalist Here 
                                     Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday    Fishtail Cottage
                                     Rustic Restorations Homespun Happenings
Fridays            French Country Cottage       My Romantic Home        Miss Mustard Seed
                                    At the Picket Fence     Potpourri Friday     Common Ground
                                    The Charm of Home    Decorating Insanity   Rooted in Thyme
Saturdays        Funky Junk Interiors

Sundays           It's Overflowing

8 comments:

miss flibbertigibbet said...

What a great idea Maggie!! Love it! I have TONS of scraps and have made the commitment to try and use them up as well so this is perfect since I'm not a quilter.
Blessings, Lorraine

Bliss said...

Gotta pin this..... I LOVE it.

~Bliss~

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

You are so clever. I love that print and the fact that you used what you had. Very pretty!

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Hi Maggie,

I love your tablecloth. It's so festive and fun looking.

Dee

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I'm glad you talked about this, Maggie, because I really admired it in your tablescape. I did wonder if you made it. I should have known! : ) I haven't done any dropcloth projects yet, but I plan on getting some for new project and will give this tablecloth a try, too. I've got tons of fabric and I'm sure I can come up with enough to do the rag fringe.

Unknown said...

Hi Maggie,
.
You did a great job on that table topper! Fab idea in how to use your "scraps" and those chairs are the best.

Kindredly, Lynnie

NanaDiana said...

I just love that table topper. What a great idea for using up all those scraps that aren't really big enough to do much with. I may have to steal this idea-xo Diana

Anonymous said...

Such a creative idea, Maggie! The table topper looks fantastic! You always have the best projects. Thanks so much for sharing! :-)
Sharla