Party Clothes for Tables

Streamer Tablecloth

The streamers shown here are floor-length and spaced closely together, which works best on a serving table.

Make streamers in any colors.

• Washable fabric in a solid color (see Step 1 to measure amount needed)
• Thread to match tablecloth fabric
• Fabric in mixed seasonal colors and patterns as desired (see step 2 to measure amount needed)
• Tape measure
• Rotary cutter and cutting mat (or yardstick and fabric marking pen)
• Scissors
• Sewing machine with zigzag stitch, or serger
• Large crochet hook

You can make streamers
long or short.

1. Measure fabric needed for the tablecloth. Measure the diameter (for a round table) or the length and width (for a rectangular table) of your tabletop. Add 10 inches to the diameter (or 10 inches to both the length and the width); this will be the size of the solid portion of the tablecloth. Use 60-inch-wide fabric, or piece together fabric to make a piece large enough.

2. Measure fabric needed for streamers. The amount of fabric needed will vary based on the width of the fabric used, the length of the streamers, and how closely you space them. To make floor-length streamers like the ones pictured here, we used 52-inch-long strips. If cut on the bias, 1-1/2 yards of 45-inch-wide fabric makes 8-10 (52-inch-long) strips. You'll need 8-10 strips for each 1 foot of tablecloth edge if you distance them as shown, 1-1/4 inches apart. Place the tablecloth on table, then measure the distance from the edge of the tablecloth to the floor (or to the length you want the streamers to hang to). Double that number and add 4-6 inches for the knot, and cut streamers to that length.

Step 3.

3. Cut streamers. Use a rotary cutter and a cutting mat to cut a 2- to 3-inch-wide strip of fabric on the bias for each streamer (see photo). Or mark cutting lines with a yardstick and fabric pencil, then cut with scissors.

4. Finish tablecloth edges. Zigag or serge around the edge of the tablecloth; turn under 1-1/2 inch, and press a hem.

Step 5.

5. Insert streamers. Cut a 3/4-inch slit in hem, through both layers of fabric (see photo).

Step 5, continued.

Use a large crochet hook to pull the end of one strip of streamer fabric through the cut hole (see photo). Pull the strip so the ends are almost equal. Repeat at 1-1/4 inch intervals all around the edge of the tablecloth.

Step 6.

6. Tie streamers. Tie an overhand knot in each strip, knotting each streamer with exactly the same motions for a uniform appearance (see photo).

• Shorter streamers might make sense if you plan to sit at the table frequently. Cut fabric strips about 24 inches long; this will result in a knotted length 8-12 inches below the edge of the tablecloth.
• Space the strips farther apart for a fluttery appearance that doesn't require as much fabric.
• Make a basic tablecloth using off-white or neutral colors. Add extra strips in different colors, changing them for various holidays throughout the year.

Ribbon Plate

Any clear glass plate with a smooth underside is a candidate for this treatment, which is basically a decoupage technique done with ribbons instead of paper.

Get a plaid effect without weaving.

• Clear glass plate, any size
• 8 sheer ribbons in several widths and colors (see Step 3 for lengths needed)
• Delta PermEnamel Surface Conditioner
• Silver paint for glassware, such as Delta PermEnamel (available at crafts stores)
• Scissors
• 1/2-inch paintbrush

1. Wash the plate in hot water, then clean the underside with Delta PermEnamel Surface Conditioner. Allow to dry.

2. Paint a silver border on the underside of the plate. Brush two coats of silver paint around the outside edge to make a border. Allow the paint to dry after each coat.

3. Plan ribbon placement. Place four ribbons in each direction -- horizontal and vertical -- under the plate, and cut each ribbon slightly longer than the width of the plate at the point where that ribbon will lie. Set the ribbons aside near work surface.

4. Affix ribbons to plate. Brush decoupage medium on the underside of the plate, in an area slightly wider than the first horizontal ribbon. Apply another coat of medium over the ribbon and lay ribbon in place, smoothing out any air bubbles as you go. Trim the ends of the ribbon slightly, inside the edge of the plate, while still wet. Repeat for the remaining horizontal ribbons, then for vertical ribbons. Allow to dry.

5. Paint another coat of silver on the edge of the underside of the plate, to cover the cut ribbon ends.

• When setting the cut ribbons aside, line them up in desired order.
• To simplify keeping the ribbons aligned, place the glass plate on a cutting mat that is covered with waxed paper, and use the printed grid lines as a guide.

"Gold-Dust" Plates

Glass goes glitzy in these holiday painted plates.

Add seasonal colors and a touch
of gold to plain glass plates.

• 2 clear glass dinner plates
• Delta PermEnamel Surface Conditioner (available at crafts stores)
• Glassware paint, such as Delta PermEnamel (available at crafts stores), in gold, red, and green
• Sheets of gold leaf or gold crafting foil and foil adhesive (available at crafts stores)
• Sponge brushes
• Old, stiff toothbrush

1. Wash the plates in hot water, then clean the underside with surface conditioner. Allow to dry.

2. Paint a border. Using gold paint, paint a metallic-gold circle on the underside of each plate, around the edge; allow to dry. Paint another circle with two coats of red or green paint. Let dry after each coat.

3. Add gold foil. Using rapid strokes and a large brush, apply a thin layer of foil adhesive to the underside of each plate in the center. Then apply sheets of gold leaf or gold crafting foil; it will stick to the adhesive, but not to the glass.

4. Rub off some gold. Lightly rub the foil with a stiff toothbrush to remove some of the gold for an irregular, distressed effect.

5. Carefully wash plates. Wash plates carefully by hand to avoid removing decorative effect.

Christmas-Rose Napkin Fold

Everyone gets a rose at their place when you fold cloth napkins into budding flowers.

(for each "rose")

Use pale green ribbon for
the "leaves."

• Red cloth napkin, 16-18 inches square
• 1 yard of sheer wire-edged green ribbon

1. Download the free folding diagram. (Downloading requires Adobe Acrobat software.)

2. Fold the napkin in half diagonally. Fold the right corner down as shown in the Christmas-Rose Napkin folding diagram.

Step 3.

3. Wind napkin in a spiral. Begin winding a clockwise spiral at the folded corner of the napkin, gathering the bottom of the "petals" slightly (see photo) and continuing the spiral to the other corner of the napkin.

4. Add ribbon. Tie a 1-yard-long piece of wire-edged ribbon into a bow at the base of the petals to hold the napkin in place. To make the leaves, fold the top edge of the loops of the bow inward and pinch the tip of each loop into a point.

Sparkling Ice Centerpiece

This dazzling centerpiece shimmers like winter ice. If possible, choose crystal or cut-glass vintage vases for the most sparkle.

Long-stemmed roses top a
colorful table.

• 3 tall glass vases
• 3 small glass vases
• 18 long-stemmed roses
• 1 round silver tray
• Scissors or small garden shears
• Broken safety glass (see below)
• Work gloves
• 1 yard of wide satin ribbon to match table decor

Add one rose per bud vase.

1. Put glass in vases. Fill the bottom of all the vases with small chunks of broken safety glass. To avoid the chance of accidentally getting a nick, wear sturdy gloves whenever handling broken safety glass.

2. Add water to vases. If using floral preservative, mix it with water in another container, then add the water to vase.

3. Remove the leaves from the rose stems.

4. Add flowers to vases. Trim 1/2 inch from 15 of the flower stems and add 5 flowers to each tall vase. (Put each flower into a vase as soon as you cut the stem.) Fill in around the flowers with more glass chunks. Trim remaining 3 roses to about 2 inches taller than short vases. Place 1 short rose in each small vase and fill in with safety glass.

5. Arrange vases on tray. Place tray in desired location. Place the 3 tall vases equally spaced around the tray. Place the short vases in between the tall vases. Fill in around the tray with glass ornaments if desired.

6. Add bow. Tie the ribbon in a big bow around one of the tall vases. Trim the ends or let the excess ribbon "puddle" onto the table, as desired.

• Ask a glass company to save some broken safety glass for you; most companies will be happy to do it.
• Tell your florist you will be cutting the stems short on 3 of the roses; he or she may have several large roses with shorter stems available for a reduced price.