How do I buy a tablecloth?

[southerngirlwriter]

Do they come in sizes? Where do I go to buy one? How much is too much to pay??

Sorry, I'm an idiot. I want to buy a nice tablecloth for a round table that I occasionally place library books on to remind me to turn them back in, but never eat at. It also has a nice vase filled with very pretty (but fake) flowers.

Someone who knows something about this stuff, please enlighten me. Sorry I'm an idiot.

[Whitacre D_WI]

1. Um. Hm.

Never bought one, myself.

Mebbe try Target or some such?

[LastKnight]

2. well, first...

you need a table... then you need money... then you need to find a store that sells one you like... and walk up to the counter with your tablecloth and any other items that may catch your eye while there. make sure to pay for the items, this is how you buy a tablecloth... if you forget the last part its stealing a tablecloth.

seriously though, measure your table, for what length you ll have the tablecloth on (some tables have inserts to make them longer, when we put our inserts in, the tablecloth is too short, which looks stupid at thanksgiving) and go lookin round at target/wal mart or somethin for a cheapo cloth, they should have the length/width on the package, seems like common sense to me, although ive never shopped for one myself

-LK

[southerngirlwriter]

3. Yeah, I know, I'm an idiot.

The table is always at the same width -- it's exactly 42 inches wide at its widest point (it's a circle).

So what length and width do I look for?

I'm sorry; I'm a TRUE idiot about all this girly householdy shit.

[LastKnight]

4. i imagine they have em in different shapes...

just look for one that fits your table, in the right size, but i have no idea myself, like i said i never bought one myself. if they dont have a circular one, a square one will do, just make sure its longer than your table, id say 8 inches longer than the table is a good number, that way thiers not too much hangin on each end and not to little either.

I started out just kinda makin fun of you... but im not really sure how to go about it either, so dont worry, im no better. Im sure that my advice isnt gonna help you much but hey i tried lol.

-LK

[Flaxbee]

5. Do you have a TJMaxx or Big Lots near you?

Our local TJMaxx usually has nice housewares stuff at pretty good prices. Sometimes Big Lots has decent stuff, but it really does vary from one location to the next.

YOu've got ample info with the measurement and shape of your table. Just browse around a bit and see if something catches your eye. Might also want to check to see if it's easily launderable.

[philosophie_en_rose]

6. At target, there should be measurements on the packaging.

Buy a "Round, 42 inch diameter" tablecloth. Target has sales after every holiday. I bought some very nice white cloth tablecloths after Christmas.

However, classy people like me usually go to the discount fabric place and buy a few yards. Viola! :P

[cmd]

8. I think you are looking for a 60 inch round one

That would cover the top an give you 9 inches hanging all around. If I remember correctly 60 inches is a standard size.
Tableclothes are almost always on sale at department stores.

[southerngirlwriter]

9. Thank you, cmd

and thanks to everyone else, too. To Target I shall go!

[SoCalDem]

10. All you need to know is the size of your table

Target has lots of nice ones..

Easy as pie :)

[TheZoo]

11. You are NOT an idiot

Besides, I'm trying to figure out what size my bed is. I've only had it for 2 years, and still can't figure out what size sheets I need.

BTW, :hi: you - how are you doing?

[southerngirlwriter]

13. Pretty good, thanks

I didn't get my rent back from the slumlord whose building I fled after witnessing a crime and being unable to take the rodents, filth, vermin (and the bugs, too), *but* :D :D :D my pastor got wind of what was going on and had the benevolence deacon cut me a check for the first month's rent at the new place.

I love my new apartment. It's beautiful and safe. My next-door and downstairs neighbors have been here for 11 and 6 years, respectively, and THAT is a recommendation if ever I heard one. :D

I still need a job, but I've had some luck doing freelance desktop publishing. It's not enough to pay all the bills, but it pays the ones with immediate consequences (the lights stay on; the car does not get repossessed; my credit report could be a prop in a Stephen King movie, but I'm surviving.)

I'm getting very good at layout. So, thanks for asking, I'm pretty good. How're you?

[Whitacre D_WI]

7. Have you thought about maybe, uh, cutting your own?

Just go to a fabric store and buy, well, fabric (I'm an idiot at this sort of thing, too). And scissors.

Probably cheaper that way.

[MrsMatt]

12. depends on the usage

If you are planning on using this table to eat at, then there are different sizes for different meals (breakfast and lunch table cloths have a 6-8" overhang, dinner table cloths have an 8-12" overhang, and formal table cloths should have a 12-18" overhang).

If you are just going to use it for holding books, it really doesn't matter.

I've purchased decent tablecloths at Target for $15-20 (and more than that at department stores - but those were for the hemstitched linen numbers).

I would not recommend making a round tablecloth - most fabric runs about 45" wide so you would put two together and have a seam up the middle. Plus the hemming - unless you have a decent sewing machine and the time and inclination.

Good luck, and FYI the girly householdy stuff is really not that hard! I got most of my knowledge from books.

[southerngirlwriter]

14. Ah; thank you!

See, I KNEW there was some kind of secret knowledge I was missing.

I'm 25 and I just now figured out that "Full" and "Double" mean the same thing when you're buying sheets. But hey, at least I figured it out!! :D

Thanks! :hi: