Tabled for Today

I'm back in action! I just replaced the table in the dining alcove of the Mystery House with one that matches the decor.

I went into my stash of crochet thread and found a cardboard core. It was 2 1/2" tall. Most standard real tables are about 2 1/2' tall so it is perfect. ( I buy crochet thread in big bags at thrift shops for a dollar or two. Some of the thread is usable for wicker some isn't. Even the stuff that won't work for anything is still useful. The cores are all usable for various sized and scaled tables in mini.) If the core is taller you can measure and cut it down to 2 1/2". I cut the thread off of the core. It was the non usable kind. Then I traced around the end and cut a piece out of plain old cardboard.

Next I measured the diameter and added twice the height to that. I then cut a circle from the base material with that diameter so that it would fit over the top and just hang to the floor. Use fraycheck on the edge. If it is a tiny bit big you can always trim it after you glue it to the table. You can always take a bit off, but you can't add any!

I laid the fabric face down on the table and put just a touch of glue on the top of the core. I put that in the center of the fabric and brought the edges up so that they touched the bottom of the table evenly all the way around. Once I had it centered I put a thin line of glue up four sides of the core evenly spaced. I made sure that these corresponded with the straight of grain in the fabric. I pulled the four sides up and stuck them to the lines of glue.

Next I found the center of each of the spaces in between the four glue lines and did the same thing again. This time each glue line corresponded with the bias of the fabric. I used hair clips to hold. They work better than clothespins because they don't get in the way when you add more. As an alternative you can use straight pins to hold. I let the eight lines dry a bit. Then I do the same thing a third time,gluing in between each one of the eight lines. When I finish I have 16 pleats around. It is helpful to have a glue syringe or a long nosed bottle to do the third set of lines.

Did you know that if you put a soft cloth on a real round table they will always fall naturally into 16 pleats? They do. I think it has something to do with how the fabric is woven.

You then cut a piece of contrasting fabric for the topper. It can be either round or square. Fraycheck it. Just be sure when you glue it down that the straight of grain on the fabric is the same as the under skirt. It will hang better.

Let the whole mess dry thoroughly then take off the clips and pins. Then trim the edges if needed.

When you are happy with the shape, trim if you want. You will see that I trimmed the edges of the topper with lace. I find it easier to trim after it is on the table. I can make it more even that way and there is less chance of messing up the lace.

Here's the finished table where it belongs. BTW, did I mention that this little Victorian is in San Francisco? It's a foggy morning. The hot breakfast and coffee will be welcome.

I think I will go eat now. See you tomorrow.