What to Consider Before Choosing
The right tablecloth fabric depends on how you will use it. A few questions help narrow the options:
- How often will it be used and washed? Daily use favors easy-care fabrics.
- How formal is the look? Linen and jacquard read as dressier; cotton prints are more casual.
- How wide is your table? Fabric width affects whether you need a seam.
- Do you want to iron it? Some fabrics wrinkle more than others.
Cotton and Cotton Blends
Cotton is soft, widely available, and easy to sew, with many prints and colors. It wrinkles more easily than polyester, and pure cotton can shrink, so prewash it. Blends with polyester tend to wrinkle less. Cotton is a sensible starting point for a first tablecloth and for casual everyday cloths.
Linen
Linen has a natural, textured, high-end look that suits formal dining. It wrinkles easily and usually needs ironing, and it absorbs spills, so it can stain if not treated quickly. Many linen fabrics are around 150 cm wide, so larger tables may need a seam or a wide-width linen.
Polyester and Poly-Blends
Polyester is often chosen for events because it is affordable, wrinkle-resistant, and easy to launder. It is generally a practical pick for repeated use, outdoor dining, and busy households. Whether it is “good” depends on the look you want: it may not feel as natural as cotton or linen, and some polyester fabrics are thin or shiny.
Jacquard and Damask
Woven jacquard and damask fabrics have a pattern built into the weave, giving a formal, textured look. They suit special occasions and holiday tables. Check the fiber content and care instructions, since they vary.
Sheer and Specialty Fabrics
Sheers such as voile and organza, along with metallic fabrics, are mostly used as overlays, runners, and decoration rather than as the main cloth. They can be delicate, so handle them gently when sewing and laundering.
Best Choice for Everyday Use
| Fabric | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton or cotton blend | Everyday, casual | Wrinkles; pure cotton may shrink |
| Linen | Dinner parties, formal | Wrinkles; needs ironing |
| Polyester or blend | Events, outdoors, busy homes | Less natural feel |
| Jacquard or damask | Holidays, formal | Check care label |
| Sheer or metallic | Overlays and runners | Delicate |
For daily use, a cotton-polyester blend or tightly woven cotton is a sensible, low-maintenance choice. If you want something more protective against spills, look for fabrics sold as stain-resistant or coated, and check whether the finish is suitable for the way you will launder it.
How Much Fabric Do You Need?
Measure your tabletop length and width. Decide how far you want the cloth to hang over each edge (the drop), then add twice that drop to each dimension. Drops vary by style, from a short casual overhang to a longer formal one, and many guides suggest something in the range of roughly 25 to 50 cm (10 to 20 inches) for typical tablecloths. Add a little extra for hems, and a bit more if the fabric will shrink in the wash.
For example, a table 60 inches long and 36 inches wide with a 10 inch drop needs a finished cloth of 80 by 56 inches, before hem allowance.
Seams and Width
If your fabric is narrower than the finished width, you will need a seam. The cleanest option is usually a center panel with two matching side panels, so the seams sit symmetrically instead of one running down the middle of the table. Press seams open and finish them so they lie flat. Wide-width fabrics reduce or avoid seams.
Sewing and Care Tips
- Prewash and dry the fabric before cutting.
- Press a double-fold hem, then stitch it. Mitered corners give a neat finish.
- For a round table, cut a circle and hem it with a narrow hem or use bias tape.
- Wash according to the fabric’s care label, and press while slightly damp for a crisp finish.
If you enjoy home sewing projects, you can also repurpose a tablecloth into other items. For instance, one popular idea in our tie-up curtain pattern guide is making curtains from a tablecloth.
FAQ
What is the cloth you put on a table called?
It is called a tablecloth. Related items include table runners, placemats, napkins, and overlays.
Is polyester a good material for tablecloths?
Often yes for practicality, since it is wrinkle-resistant and easy to wash. It may not have the look or feel of natural fibers.
What is the best type of tablecloth for daily use?
A durable, washable fabric such as tightly woven cotton or a cotton-polyester blend is a sensible choice.