How to Make a Fitted Elastic Tablecloth

- Fabric (enough to cover your table with 12-18 inches of overhang on all sides)

- Elastic (1-inch wide; enough to go around the entire perimeter of your table)

- Thread

- Scissors

- Sewing machine

- Pins

- Measuring tape

- Iron

- Fabric marker or chalk

Instructions

* ### Make a pattern for the tablecloth.

First, measure the length and width of your table. Then decide how much overhang you want, and add that measurement to the length and width.

For example, if your table is 36 inches long and 48 inches wide, and you want a 12-inch overhang, your fabric measurements should be 60 inches long and 72 inches wide.

*### Cut out the fabric.

Fold your fabric in half twice, so that you have four layers. Then, use your measuring tape and fabric marker to draw a rectangle the size of your measurements.

* ### Make the casing for the elastic.

Along one of the long edges, fold the fabric down 1 inch and press. Fold it down 1 inch again and press. Stitch along the fold line to create a casing for the elastic. Repeat this process on the opposite long edge.

* ### Insert the elastic.

Cut your elastic to the length of one of the long edges of the tablecloth.

Cut the elastic to a length that is about 10% shorter than the measurement of the tablecloth edge, then insert the elastic into the casing, and secure it in place with a few stitches.

* ### Sew the side seams.

Pin the side seams of the tablecloth together, right sides facing, leaving the openings for the elastic ends. Sew the seams together using a 1/2-inch seam allowance, backstitching at the beginning and end of each seam.

* ### Finish the edges.

You can use hemmed or bias binding to finish the edges of your tablecloth. Alternatively, you can turn the edges under 1/4 inch and topstitch.

* ### Enjoy!

Use on your table or give it as a gift!