Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Checks and Lace

A couple of weeks ago, I was looking through my fabric stash and ran across some red and white check fabric that had been given to me. About a week later, I was eating dinner at a Mexican restaurant in San Diego and was inspired by the little fabric squares with crocheted edging that lined the tortilla baskets. What a great idea! I soon pulled out that checked fabric to make a tablecloth; trimmed it; folded, pressed, and sewed the edges; and added blanket stitching so I could crochet a lacy edging.


I love blanket stitching! It's so cute and fun to sew. It's a good thing I enjoy sewing it because it took quite a while to get around the edges of the tablecloth.


The next step was to single crochet onto the blanket stitches.


Each step looked so cute...the sewing, then the blanket stitching, and the single crochet edge...that I could have stopped after any one of them and it would have looked good. However, I was excited to keep going and make it a little more special. I looked through some edging patterns and tried a few but ended up making up something on my own. The little triangles are simple but they tie into the little diamonds in the fabric. They are basically shells with three double crochets, two trebles, and three more doubles. I spaced them out with a single crochet between each one.


I'm not sure yet if I'll embellish on the triangles. I'll probably decide on that after I make it all the way around the tablecloth.

I originally wanted to make a red lace edge but couldn't find red thread that matched the fabric. In fact, I even had trouble finding white crochet cotton. It used to be a staple in the yarn world. I remember it being sold even in drug and grocery stores. This time, I couldn't find any at Michael's, Walmart (they didn't have white), and JoAnn only had the two balls of white that I bought (no other colors). That was surprising to me. I'm glad I found some though while I was inspired and ready to go.

It's always satisfying to make something wonderful with things I have on hand or that cost very little. With the thread that I bought, this tablecloth will cost me less than $5. How awesome is that?! I'm also enjoying the simple pleasure of sitting with the fabric on my lap, stitching with a needle and thread, and doing some simple crochet.

It's the perfect time to make a red and white checked tablecloth...just before the Fourth of July!

10 comments:

Debbie said...

Cheryl, These are wonderful! You have inspired me to work on some table linens. Simple and pretty!

Debbie said...

Cheryl,
These are wonderful! You have completely inspired me to work on some needlework I had set aside years ago, which by the way happens to be table linens. Yours are simple and pretty, I will probably try to make some like them soon.
Debbie

KarenB said...

Did you make napkins or a tablecloth? Whatever you did, it is SO CUTE! I LOVE THEM. How fun to make something using mostly what you have. The birdies I made were from everything I had. I even found black cotton velvet for his "tux" from a scrap that I had when I made the girls' Christmas dresses when they were little. Very satisfying.

evergreenknits said...

very sweet!

Sandra said...

This is really lovely! I'm a sucker for red and white (I mean, really, I'm Canadian!), and this looks so fresh and pretty.

Benita said...

I love that sweet shell edging. It'll take a pretty little table cloth and turn it into something special - maybe into an heirloom should it last that long.

Pickyknitter said...

So THAT'S how you add edging! It has been bugging me for years. Really. Years. Thanks!

life in red shoes said...

Be still my heart, I love these!

Desiree said...

HI, can you tell me where the tablecloth is from, I love the diamond stitching on it. thanks.

Acorn to Oak said...

It was fabric given to me. :)