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How to finish an aida table cloth ?

Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 2:03 pm
by mags
Hi everyone :D

I am looking for suggestions on how to hem or otherwise an aida table cloth. I have nearly completed the stitching on my Papillon Quaker Game Board - was going to make it into a cushion cover but have decided instead to use it as a cloth for a coffee table which would seem appropriate as it could then be used as a game board.

The last table cloth I made (again Papillon, but Serendipity, I think there is a photo in my gallery) I just lined with some suitable fabric, which I will probably do for this project but I am all ears to any other suggestions.

Re: How to finish an aida table cloth ?

Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 3:05 pm
by MaggieM1750
I was going to say just a hemstitch. But on evenweave, you take out a fabric strand where the fold meets the cloth. So I am not sure how that would work on aida since you can't pull out any of the backing cloth. Maybe machine edge instead of handstitch?

What if you straight stitch and then leave a fringe?
Or back it with fabric that you wrap around onto the front with a thin border to cover the edging?
I'm not really sure- I've never done anything like this before.

Re: How to finish an aida table cloth ?

Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 3:33 pm
by Lessa54
Or you could use 4-sided stitch. It's a bit time consuming but very pretty and definitely a firm edge to it. I can't find a decent tutorial for it online, but if you have Mary Hickmott's easing into hardanger, she has a good explanation. Otherwise, could try and write something out, though Mabel or Serinde woud be much better at explaining than me.

Re: How to finish an aida table cloth ?

Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 3:46 pm
by Rose
I was going to suggest an edging stitch and then fringe the sides but Maggie already beat me to it. :D

Re: How to finish an aida table cloth ?

Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 8:10 pm
by mags
Thank you very much everyone for all the suggestions :D

I have wondered about fraying it but am a bit worried as it will obviously need washing from time to time. Yes, an edging stitch might help with that :thinks:
I have thought about machine stitching but I have a tendency to let the machine run away with me and is not as neat as it might be. Will try slowing down. :lol: :roll:
I like the idea about the lining coming round to the front to form an edging - not done that before.
Yes I have got Easing into Hardanger and wondered about the four sided stitch - has anyone tried it on aida ?

I think I am going to have to try a few of these on some spare fabric. :thinks:

Re: How to finish an aida table cloth ?

Posted: Sat May 05, 2012 12:30 pm
by Mabel Figworthy
I've tried four-sided edging on fairly stiff Hardanger fabric and that worked very well; it is rather labour-intensive though!

Re: How to finish an aida table cloth ?

Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 10:10 pm
by mags
Thanks Mabel, I am going to have a play with a spare piece of fabric. I have finished stitching the game board - just need to wash and press before I post a pic. :D