How to Mend a Torn Tablecloth

how to mend a torn tablecloth

Got a tablecloth with a rip or tear in it? Here’s how to mend a torn tablecloth in just a few easy steps!

I love vintage linens, and one of my favorite pieces in my collection is a butterfly print tablecloth in beautiful earth tones. I use it in my studio to create hidden storage in a low bookshelf, but I sometimes pull it out for parties, too. Before it lived in my studio, I had this cloth on a dining room table, and it got sliced with an Exacto blade at a craft night. I wasn’t going to let one tear ruin my favorite linen, so I figured out how to repair a torn tablecloth using supplies from my fabric stash!

First of all, what was I thinking? If you have a beautiful, vintage tablecloth, don’t leave it on the table during a craft night. If maybe you – like me – are having some 20/20 hindsight, though, this is a super simple repair.

How to Mend a Torn Tablecloth

Materials

  • torn tablecloth
  • ribbon or scrap fabric
  • iron
  • pins
  • sewing machine (optional)
  • thread that matches your tablecloth color – I used a contrasting thread color, so that you can see my repair. Choosing a coordinating thread will make your mending job a lot less visible.

Directions

1. Cut your piece of ribbon or scrap fabric so that it’s 1″ longer than the length of the tear.

2. Iron your tablecloth, and turn it over. Pin the ribbon or fabric onto the wrong side of the cloth.

mend a torn tablecloth pinned ribbon

3. Use your machine’s zig-zag stitch to sew right over the tear. Take your time and make sure that the stitch grabs both sides of the tear. If you don’t have a sewing machine, you can use the good ol’ whip stitch for the same effect:

4. Give your tablecloth another press with your iron to set the stitches, and you’re good to go!

mend a torn tablecloth stitched

Have you done any simple, quickie mending projects lately? Tell us about your repairs in the comments!

3 thoughts on “How to Mend a Torn Tablecloth”

  1. Yep! I’ve started using the sashiko technique for clothing repairs- you can see one of my repairs at http://heathersfedup.blogspot.com/2013/08/crappy-crochet-redeemed-and-some.html – did my husband’s shorts up with a piece taken from a scrapped pair of my sons’ pants, and some ancient cotton coat thread. I’ve read that there are articles of clothing out there that are more sashiko than original garment- it’ll be interesting to see how long I can keep my hubby’s shorts going!

  2. I have beautiful white tablecloth with cut work trim that has large hole because of over zealous bleaching. is there anyway to repair with matching napkin?

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