How to make a tablecloth

1. Materials & tools

Materials (any table)

• Fabric (cotton, linen or polyester) — table size + overhang × 2 + seam allowance

Tools

• Sewing machine (or needle and thread)
• Fabric marker or pencil
• Ruler and scissors
• Iron
• Pins or clips

2. Make the pattern (auto-generated in Katagami)

With the Katagami pattern tool, you just enter the finished size and it drafts a seam-allowance-included pattern, tiled to print at actual size on Letter or A4.

1. Open the tool
   Open the pattern tool and choose “Home” → “Tablecloth” from the tabs at the top.
2. Enter the size
   Enter your table width, table length and the overhang (drop). The tool adds the rest.
3. Set the seam allowance
   Use the slider at the bottom (beginners: 1.0–1.5 cm / about 3/8–5/8 in).
4. Print
   Press “Print (actual size)”, then in the print dialog set Scale = 100% and turn “Fit to page” OFF. Check the 50 mm calibration box on the first guide sheet with a ruler.

3. Cutting the fabric

1. Prewash / straighten the grain
   If the fabric may shrink, prewash and press before cutting.
2. Cut to size
   Cut the fabric to the calculated size, keeping the corners square. A long or L-square ruler helps.
3. Edges
   A triple-fold hem needs no special finishing, but zigzag the edges if you won't sew right away.

4. Sewing

4-1. Deal with the corners

1. Mitre the corners (a diagonal fold) or simply fold them in. Mitred corners give the cleanest finish.

4-2. Hem the short sides

1. Triple-fold the two short edges and press (a 1 cm → 1 cm double fold is standard).
2. Topstitch about 2 mm from the fold.

4-3. Hem the long sides

1. Triple-fold and press the two long edges the same way.
2. Topstitch about 2 mm from the fold.

5. Tips & variations

• Round corners: round the corners for a softer look that's easy to hem.
• Bigger drop: increase the overhang for a more formal look.
• Wipe-clean: laminated cotton makes a practical everyday cloth.