Would you ever crochet/knit/cross-stich a table cloth or pillow case?
By vivasuzi
@vivasuzi (4127)
United States
January 13, 2009 11:45am CST
I've been doing crafts for most of my life and I often see cute patterns for a table cloth, pillow case, or something similar. Often I am tempted to buy that kit and then I decide not too because I think of how annoyed I would be if I pain-stakingly worked on a table cloth, just to have someone spill on it later on down the road.
I know some of these items are just meant for looks, meaning you take the table cloth off before serving food, but try telling your guests not to set anything on your table cloth and see how far that goes? So do you make these items? Do you have any problems with things happening to ruin them after all your hard work? Or do you have methods to keep them from being ruined but still allow them to be enjoyed??
3 people like this
4 responses
@explorations (1712)
• United States
13 Jan 09
I would love to be able to make these kinds of things, but I don't have the talent or the patience. One day I will, though, it's a goal. :-) My mother has given me many of these pillow cases and table clothes over the years. The pillow cases I treat as "pillow shams" and they're for decorative use only. The table clothes, I cover with a clear plastic table cloth liner. They've really come a long way with these things - some even have a stitched edge so they don't look quite so cheesey as they use to years ago. Then, I can tell my guests it's okay to spill. :-)
3 people like this
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
13 Jan 09
I didn't know if there were really clear table liners, that sounds like a good solution! I am sure you can reach your goal to make one at least once. I made a blanket once, it didn't come out as much like a blanket but more of a decoration (i crocheted too tight - it was my first time). Now I'm determined to make another blanket but table clothes often come up in my search for crafts... but who knows when I will ever start either project :) I've been lazy.
1 person likes this
@princessmel (670)
• Canada
13 Jan 09
i wouldn't do stuff like bibs, or pillow cases. But i've always thought about doing a tablecloth. the problem is i'm afraid i'd get bored of the project before it could get finished. if i did a tablecloth, i would keep it for myself. i'd just use it as decoration or buy a thick clear plastic sheet to go over the tablecloth to protect it.
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@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
13 Jan 09
I don't think I'd ever do a bib either, sounds like a mess waiting to happen :) Table clothes are the ones that always look so pretty to me when I see the kits. I wonder if they sell clear table cloths that I could put over my decorated one :) If I ever do one, I'm definitely going to be over protective about it.
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@princessmel (670)
• Canada
14 Jan 09
i'm not sure if they sell clear tablecloths but at fabricland you can buy clear plastic "material" that is really thick. you buy it by the metre.
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@thinkingoutloud (6127)
• Canada
20 Jan 09
I've debated doing a tablecloth or pillowcases as gifts but I have usually ended up doing framed pieces (such as baby announcements and the like). I think along the same lines as you -- wondering if the person would even appreciate them because they'd potentially get soiled on the first use anyway. One project that I did cross-stitch was the fingertip towels. I did a few sets... for my mom and some friends... because I already knew that they had "display towels" in their bathrooms that didn't actually get used. They were fun and easy to do because you only have the one row of design to stitch and they had many colors available to coordinate to their bathrooms.
1 person likes this
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
21 Jan 09
I do love my framed pieces... but so far none of mine are framed :-D I have a few finishing touches on almost every big cross stich project I started. I made some small ones and framed them (4x6 or 5x7) but I have some large ones that I just can't seem to finish!
I wonder if the person would even realize how much time was spent on it or if they would just use it right away and ruin it, not thinking. It wouldn't be their fault, some people don't realize the time it takes for these projects.
Other people suggested towels as well so I think I'll try that some day b/c I have seen decorative towels like that before that don't seem to get ruined. I'd just have to tell my husband not to go wiping his face with it!!
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
14 Jan 09
I myself have not done any of those projects.
I don't know that I would take on a project that would get ruined possibly. But I do think that if say the bib was part of a baptisim outfit (wich I've seen) perhaps as it will be more of a momemento than actually being used.
A pillow.... you could use a decorative pillow for your own personal use and just remove before bed.
I'd say if there was some sort of stain / water repellant you could use maybe on a test piece of fabric before you attemp a table cloth maybe that would change your mind?
2 people like this
@vivasuzi (4127)
• United States
20 Jan 09
Yeah I've seen bibs for baptisms, but I would never make a bib that I'd want the baby to use on a regular basis. That is just asking for a mess :)
I guess I'm just not used to removing pillows from the bed, I actually use all my pillows (even the so-called decorative ones) because what's the point of a pillow if not to rest my head? The only thing is that since we use the nice pillow cases (the ones that come with the bed set) we do probably have to replace them more often then if we were to remove these every night. I'd rather replace my pillow cases more often then have unused pillows.
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