Heirloom treasures are one of the most precious things that you can pass down the family line, and will represent family members through the years. Use this embroidered tablecloth at the holidays, it will serve as a precious memory of past holiday gatherings.
How to Embroider the Tablecloth
Embroidering this tablecloth is super easy! If you are a beginner, have no fear! Freehand embroidery is really forgiving, It allows the crafter to build their personality into each stitch!
The style of embroidery stitch you will use in this project is called backstitch. The backstitch is super easy, and will enable you to keep a relatively straight line for embroidering names. Since you will use this stitch primarily, I’ve made a little video demonstration of how I do it.
Handmade gifts are filling our holiday gift closet, and I’ve even worked on handmade gift wrap ideas! (Want help with either of these topics? I have two eCourses that will put you on the fast track to a handmade holiday: Cheap & Easy Handmade Gift Wrap eCourse and Handcrafted Gifts Made Simple eCourse that might interest you!)
The second stitch I used in this project is the ‘satin stitch’. This is a good stitch to use when you need to fill in with a singular color, like I did with the heart over the “i” in Abi’s name (above, bottom left).
What You Need for This Project
Not much is needed for this project, but if you’ve never embroidered before, you will need to collect the following items:
embroidery thread in the color of your choice
polyester tablecloth
large eye sewing needles
needle threaders (optional)
water soluble pen
embroidery hoop (make sure you purchase a large enough hoop to accommodate your signatures)
How to Make Your Embroidered Tablecloth
- To make this tablecloth, have family members write or sign their names on the tablecloth.
- For the first handwritten name, center it in the embroidery hoop and choose a thread color. Embroider with the backstitch. Cut thread and weave in ends.
- Repeat with all other handwritten names.
- Every holiday season, collect new family members’ handwritten signatures (first names only) to embroider.
- Once it’s time to pass the “hosting torch” to the next family member, pass the heirloom embroidered tablecloth as well so that the tradition can continue through the generations!
