OCA Sewing Tip #5---Pressing Oilcloth

We are well over due for a new oilcloth sewing tip, aren't we? Remember back a few months ago when we chatted about how to press oilcloth, well here is yet another technique that is very handy when you really need a crisp finish to an oilcloth project.

For a really good press ask Martha to lend a hand, my Martha Stewart Craft Book collection helps me ever time. Yesterday I needed to "press" a few dozen oilcloth dish gloves for a Modern June wholesale order so I grabbed a handful of my books and a nice big tray to do the job.

When you are faced with fluffy folds just neatly stack your project under the pile of large books.

Before


After

Since I had a few dozen cuffs to contend with I made two stacks and then placed a wide tray under the books, then topped it with a heavy suitcase. Now just leave it there overnight and in the morning you will have a beautifully pressed project.

Now, go get crafty!

Q and A

Question Number One: Tablecloths

Hello there,

I live in NYC & have my first ever outdoor space (yea!). I'm trying to make the space hip & beautiful while budget conscious so am thinking of a folding table (the space is quite small) with an oil cloth table cloth. The table I think I'll get is 37" by 37", and I can't figure out what size of oilcloth I would need to order. I love many of them, but if I have to pick only one it may be Modern Silver Lace Oilcloth. I look forward to hearing back. Have a great day and thanks for your fun store!

Miss A,

Answer:

Congrats! An outside space is a good thing no matter where you live.

Oilcloth makes a terrific and budget friendly solution. Oilcloth has been adorning tables for over a century. You can hem it or leave the edge raw since it will not fray. Our grandmothers used to head down to the 5 and 10 or local hardware store and have a piece cut so they could come home and slap it on the table and call it pretty. It has always been a low cost option for protecting a nice table or covering up a bad one.

The lace oilcloth has a repeat pattern, so buying it a little longer than you need it will be very helpful. The lace print has a lovely medallion shape that runs down the center of the print. This medallion is spaced out every 17 1/2 inches in the center.

The fabric is 47 inches wide so if you go for a 47 inch square you would need to get 2 yards. Since your table will likely be a 37 inch square your tablecloth will end up having a 5 inch drop on all four sides. By buying the two yards you ensure you can get the most out of your oilcloth and ou will be happy to have the extra. You can use the extra for tons of things, something like lining some old metal trays and use them for serving your first al fresco meal.

I hope this helps!

Kelly

Technical Difficulty

OK, I must have some bad electronic mojo going one! First my printer/copier won't work and then my internet connections dies! What's next, oh, I did not just ask that. So 2 1/2 days with out internet almost killed me, it was amazing how many times I would find myself in front of the computer mindlessly checking my email. Forget the fact that I love to feel loved by my friends and family, the major issue was work! I never really thought about that issue, when you have an online biz you really need online access!

But I am back and I am glad of it! I have fun stuff so share like new oilcloths, a few more pantry tuts and the after shot of my pantry. But for now I have be a grown up and to get to shipping and printing. I will return later today with something fun!

I haven't forgot you all that won those tag kits, I just haven't been able to get to your addresses! I will send them out soon!

oilcloth picnic mat tutorial

After reading the new book by EllynAnne Geisel, The Kitchen Linens Book: Using, Sharing, and Cherishing the Fabrics of Our Daily Lives, I just had to make this pretty picnic mat for my family. The day my family spent flying kites in a wet field I knew we needed one of these, but it was the section on picnics that made the idea a reality. My philosophy for both shops Modern June and Oilcloth Addict is that small things in life help to make big memories. I know EllynAnne feels the same way. Linens of all types evoke fond memories.

Check out my review of the book at Sew Mama Sew! Don't forget to leave a comment after reading the post, Sew Mama Sew is giving away 6 books!!!

Be aware my mat is a big one, 8' x 8', just great for a family of four. Feel free to scale up or down for your needs.

Stuff you gotta have:
4 yards of oilcloth, seen in Lime Green Gingham
A fat quarter of a fun fruity oilcloth pattern, appliques are from the Apples and Pears Oilcloth
Rotary cutter
Ruler or yard stick
Gypsy Gripper, an optional tool I can not live with out.
Thread


step 1. Cut cut out your appliques and take your four yards of oilcloth and cut it into two equal parts ( two, two yard pieces)


step 2. Pin your appliques in the correct corners. You are doing this first so don't have to wrangle that big mat under the machine like it did! Trust me do it now while it is in pieces!


step 3. Sew your appliques into place.

Tip! When turning sharp corners leave your needle in the down, lift pressure foot and then turn.

step 4. Sew your two sides together making a large 8 foot square. Sew right sides together using a 1/2 SA. I suggest you place your machine on the largest table you have, this is a lot of oilcloth, a large table will help support the bulk and keep you happy.


step 5. Lay oilcloth face up roll both sides of the up so you can easily get to your seam. Now finger press your seam off to the left. There is no need to pin.


step 6. Back at the machine you are going to want to do an edge stitch off to the left. This is going to strengthen your seam and substitute not being able to iron. This will help that seam behave. As you stitch make sure both sides of the seam are off to the left.

Tip! I like to use the inside edge of the presser foot as a guide to keep my top stitch straight.


step 7. Fold you hem up one inch and sew one side, then do a faux mitered corner. Or better yet check out this tut for the real thing. I wish I had looked that up when I was sewing up the hem.

Note! Oilcloth does not fray so you could leave this edge raw or pink the edges. I hemmed the mat to help give it body and weight. Wind can ruin a picnic so I figure every bit helps.


step 8. Clean up. Oilcloth is very easy to clean, simply whip clean with a damp cloth. EllynAnne has a great tip for easy clean up at a picnic, she suggests that we eat on and extra tablecloth so when you are done you can wrap it all up and take it home. This leaves the picnic mat ready for relaxation time.


step 9. Storage. Keep the creases away by folding it in half and then rolling it up. Your local fabric shop should happily give you their empty cardboard rolls.

Picnic season is coming, Happy Spring!!!