Sewing Tutorial: Turn a Vintage Tablecloth into a Skirt
In this tutorial, I'll walk you through the simple, quick process of adding a stretchy waistband to a vintage round tablecloth to make a skirt. Using this technique, you can turn any cute round tablecloth into a skirt! This is an easy beginner sewing project.
See a second tablecloth conversion here.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a percentage if you make a purchase using these links. I only link to things I like and use!
Materials used:
- vintage round tablecloth
(I found this one on ebay, so I'm linking to search results for vintage round tablecloths)
- 2" Elastic Waistband
Determining Your Measurements
First, use this tutorial by Simple Simon and Co to figure out your measurements for a circle skirt. Fold your skirt in quarters like you're making a giant snowflake (this is a great analogy from the Simple Simon and Co tutorial linked above).
Add 1/4" to 1/2" to your measurement and mark your skirt, measuring from the point (see the blue dotted line in the picture below). I clipped the sides of my skirt so that the fabric wouldn't move while I was marking/cutting it. You want your skirt to be bigger than your waist, so that you can gather it before attaching the elastic waistband.
Cut your tablecloth along the line you made.
The piece you cut off should open up to become a mini-circle.
Adding the Waistband to Make Your Tablecloth into a Skirt
Finish the top edge of your skirt. I serged it, but you could use a zigzag or overedge stitch. Alternatively, you could fold it down to create a narrow hem around the top. Cut your elastic 1-2" smaller than the size of your waist (try out different sizes to see what's most comfortable). Sew it into a continuous circle. Mark it into quarters with pins.
Mark your skirt into quarters with pins. Match the pins from the waistband to the pins on the skirt. You'll have a lot of loose skirt fabric in each quarter. I used quilt clips to create evenly two spaced pleats in each quarter of the skirt. Sew the skirt and waistband together.
Now You've Turned Your Tablecloth into a Skirt!
Here's the finished project:
