How to Make a Bedside Tablecloth With Access to Drawers Underneath

If the bedside table is completely wrong for the room, you can cover it with a tablecloth and still access the drawers underneath. Sew a tablecloth that is custom-made to fit your nightstand with an overlapping panels in front that can be folded back to allow access to the drawers underneath. This design will work on square or round nightstands or even a kidney-shaped dressing table. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Measure the height of the table from the top to the floor. Add 4 inches to this measurement to calculate the width of the fabric strip for the sides of the tablecloth. Measure the circumference of the top of the table. Add 4 inches to this measurement and double it to calculate the length of the strip. Cut a strip of fabric with these dimensions.

2

Place one short edge of the fabric right side down on an ironing board. Make a 1/2-inch fold along this edge and iron the edge. Make a second 1-inch fold and iron it also. Sew 1/4 inch from the first fold to hold the hem in place. Hem the other short edge in the same way. These hems will finish the edges of the opening in the tablecloth.

3

Iron a 1/2-inch fold and then a 3-inch fold on the long edge of the cloth to make a hem. This will be the bottom edge of the tablecloth. Make the hem on the same side of the fabric as the hems for the opening. Machine or hand sew the hem in place.

4

Set a sewing machine to sew a straight stitch with a stitch length of four stitches per inch. Sew along the top edge, the edge that is not hemmed, 5/8 inch from the edge. Sew a second seam 1/4 inch above the first seam, 3/8 inch from the edge.

5

Pull the bobbin threads on these seams until the fabric along the seam is half its original length.

6

Place a large sheet of paper on top of the table and trace around the edge. Draw a line 1/2 inch beyond the tracing to make a pattern for the top of the tablecloth. Use the pattern to cut a piece of fabric for the top.

7

Lay the tablecloth top piece right side up on a flat surface. Pin the gathered edge of the sides of the tablecloth around the top. Place the right side of the side fabric against the right side of the top fabric aligning the edges. Overlap the hemmed edges of the side piece 3 inches in the center of the front edge of the top. This will be the opening for accessing the drawers.

8

Sew the sides to the top by stitching 1/2 inch from the edge with a straight seam and a standard stitch length. Clip the corners of the seam allowance on a rectangular cloth at a 45-degree angle. The seam allowance is the fabric that extends beyond the seam. Clip the seam allowance on a round table cloth every 1/2 inch. Cut perpendicular to the seam, cutting close to the seam but not through it. Turn the tablecloth right side out and place it on the nightstand with the opening in front of the drawers.