A few years ago, I watched several videos with Cindy Needham. She is a quilter and teacher who taught me that there was a lot you can do with a antique tablecloth. I filed this information in the back of my mind, figuring I would like to try it some time.
Maybe it is because of the quilt repurposing I did recently, but I suddenly got the desire to finally try my hand at the antique tablecloths. Earlier this year, a friend sent me three but I had been waiting for the right time.
This isn’t a project I will be working on from start to finish in one go. I think I have several decisions to make and I want to take my time. I am recording some of the process for people who want to learn about the thinking behind some of the decisions I made.
Now, it’s important to remember that I have not done this before. So some of what I decide to do might not work out. I may be doing a lot of seam ripping. In fact, I already have. But, it’s all about the process and learning, right?
Background fabric
So, here is the first short video. In it, I explain what I am going to do and there is already a modification. I am a bit nervous that I will ruin this pretty antique tablecloth. But if I don’t try, I’ll never find out if I enjoy doing this and if I can do it.
In the video, I said I’m going to sew down the outside lace by hand next and then quilt. I decided this would not be a good idea. The tablecloth fabric may move outward or pull in if the quilting is dense. That would mess up the hand work. So I did, as I mentioned. I zigzagged around with water soluble thread, but I’m going to do the quilting before the lace.
Stay tuned for part 2!