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

Q and A: Laminated Cotton Dog Mat?

Q: I am wondering if laminated cotton would do well for a dog bed? My daschund recently was diagnosed with Diabetes and is peeing all the time, even on his bed.

I am hoping I can use this material in a pretty pattern and sew up a cover for his bedding.

Thank you!

A:  I have so been there, but with a cat!!! It's so hard on both of you, isn't it? We did the same thing for our Willow Kitty and it helped a lot with clean up, you can just whip it clean. I can't guarantee that it won't hold the scent but it's better the the alternative.



Laminated cotton is BPA and PVC free and waterproof so this is a great fabric for families and pets.

If you make a cover and put in a zipper or snaps you can throw it in the washer. Washing changes the fabric a bit but it's not going to hurt it.  This way you could removed it if once it's beyond whipping clean.

All my best,
Kelly

Q & A: Oilcloth vs. Laminated Cotton vs. Chalkcloth (TM)

Left to right: Three bolts of laminated cotton, two bolts of oilcloth and one bolt of Chalkcloth TM.

Inquiring minds want to know... what's the difference between oilcloth and laminated cotton? A lot and not much all. Confused? Let's break it down:

Laminated Cotton:
55"/56" wide
PVC-free
BPA-free
Lead-free
Slight sheen
Waterproof and easy to clean
Easy to sew with the right tips and tools
CPSIA compliant
Edges do not fray
Made in Korea

Laminated cotton is a high quality cotton sheeting with a thin layer of polyurethane film adhered to the right side of the fabric. It's soft and has a very nice hand to it, it drapes very nicely and it even does gathers well!

This fabric makes great baby bib, raincoats, shower curtains, tablecloths, splat mats, diaper bags and much more.

 
Oilcloth:
47"/48" wide
PVC product
Contains Phthlates
Lead-free
Really shinny!
Waterproof and easy to clean
NOT CPSIA compliant 
Fun and easy to sew 
Edges do not fray
Made in Mexico

Oilcloth is a thick layer of PVC on top of a cotton mesh. While it is very thin, it is pretty stiff stuff, it doesn't do gathers! It's very strong and durable, oilcloth tablecloths remain bright and looking brand new for years and years.

Oilcloth makes great totes,  coin purses, tablecloths, floor mats, placemats and much more.

Because oilcloth contains phthalates it is not intended for the use for baby items or for projects for kids under the age of 12. You'll want to substitute laminated cotton for those projects.

Chalkcloth:
47"/48" wide
PVC product
Phthlates-free
Lead-free
Matte finish
Is CPSIA compliant and great for kids!
Fun and easy to sew with
You can scribble on it!!
Easy to care for
Edges do not fray
Made in Mexico

Chalkcloth TM is a very fun and easy fabric to work with. It's a bit thicker than the oilcloth and less pliable. It makes great placemats, table runner, reusable gift tags and much more. See our tutorials for more ideas. While it's a bit thick for a tablecloth it's great as a table topper!

Q & A: Is laminated cotton a good choice for snack bags?

Q: Can you use the laminated cotton for reusable snack bags?

A: Laminated cottons are waterproof and easy to clean so it's a great choice for snack bags. According to the test results that I received from Westminster Fibers, Inc ALL of the laminated cottons that I carry have been tested and proved to be be BPA and PVC free. These are the chemicals that we don't want leaching in to our sandwiches. Which is why I don't recommend using oilcloth for projects that store food. While many people feel comfortable with knowing that the fabric is PVC and BPA-free every person has to make the decision that's right for them.

Laminated cotton has a thin layer of polyurethane on the right side of the fabric only so you will want to line your snack bags with another layer of laminated cotton. I recommend leaving the lining loose so you can slid it out and clean it thoroughly. I also recommend hand washing any laminated cotton project, as water gets trapped between the layers of laminated cotton and has a really hard time drying out properly. We now sell laminated cotton in Fat Quarters, it's the perfect size for snack bags!

My upcoming book, Sewing with Oilcloth, has a pattern for a really great snack bag and another for a sandwich wrap. Head over to Amazon and pre-order you copy today!!! (Yes, that is my first shameless plug. I am sure there will be many more to come!)

UPDATE:  I contacted Westminster Fibers, INC to see if they had run this fabric through testing to see if it was "food safe" and they haven't tested it and don't have plans to. So I can't say for sure that it is or isn't food safe.

I can say that it is PVC and BPA free. From what I have read this is good indication, but of course I am NOT a scientist and I don't even play on TV.  ; )

As with all the big questions in life we have to educate ourselves and do what's right for us and our families.

Hope this helps. I really wish I could give a concrete answer. I really do. : ) I'll keep asking the hard questions to these company and hopefully someday we'll get an answer.

Happy sewing,
Kelly

Q and A: Wash or Wipe?

One of the things I like best about laminated cotton is that you can just wipe it clean with a damp cloth and some gentle non-bleach spray and be done with clean up. But sometimes things get messy, and I mean really messy!! So, can you wash laminated cotton in the washer? Yes it can be washed and dried, but you have to know that the texture of the laminated cotton changes when machine washed. I believe that the cotton on the back is shrinking slightly. I really don't think that the shrinkage is of importance, I don't think you would need to pre-wash it if you were making a baby bib or changing mat.

The laminate on the right hand side has been machine washed and dried, the middle one never washed,  and the swatch on the left has been machine washed and dries and then ironed with med-high temp iron. As you can see the texture is different but still intact and very usable. I've tested the same swatch by washing and drying it about 4-5 times.

  From right to left: Machine wash and never washed. 

Like I said earlier, I really don't like to machine wash laminated cotton if I don't have to. I wipe down my tablecloths because I really, really hate to iron almost as much as I hate a wrinkly tablecloth. I take a wet wash cloth to our messy snack bags and leave them open so they can dry out, scrubbing them with a veggie brush if they're really yucky.

So even though you can wash and dry laminated cotton cotton I my advise is wipe it up when you can, especially if your project is big like a tablecloth.

 From right to left: Machine wash and never washed.

Q and A: Oilcloth vs. Flannel Backed Vinyl

Q:  How would you compare Oilcloth vs. Flannel Backed Vinyl to each other? Whats different?

A: Night and day!

They are both vinyl, but that's where the comparison stops.

The back of oilcloth is impregnated with a cotton mess or scrim, this gives oilcloth it's edge over the flannel backed vinyl. The scrim gives oilcloth strength, because of it oilcloth can hold a stitch where the other can not. Trust me I tried making totes out of some cheap talbelcoths that I bought on clearance and they ripped right away. It was a total waist of 75 cents!

Flannel backed vinyl is very thin and quick to tear, I have oilcloth tablecloths that I have been using at shows for nearly 6 years and they have held up and look great.

Oilcloth is much better product overall. My mother-in-law used to buy a new flannel backed tablecloths from a big box store four times a year. This killed me, so for mothers day one year I made her an oilcloth tablecloth. That was about 4 years ago, so I figure that my gift has saved her (and the landfill) 16 cheap tablecloths.


Check out what is oilcloth and how to care for it for more info on oilcloth!!

Hope this helps,
Kelly

Round Up: Oilcloth Covered Tables

I spend a lot of time searching my own blog for information so I know you must get really frustrated. So in an attempt to fix this I am creating Project Round Ups for the top projects I've featured on my blog. There are Show and Tell, Great Idea,  Q and A, I spy Oilcloth features along with my own projects all corralled by subject.

I'll start with the oilcloth covered table's that I've featured.

Here's the lovely oilcloth cover table project from Farm Chicks book, Farm Chicks in the Kitchen. You can find the How To here.  Serena used a heavy duty hand held stapler to attach the oilcloth to the table, much like I covered this bench.

Elyse's oilcloth covered kitchen tablecloth is applied to the table with painters tape. She's a mom with two active boys and this technique lasted two years, when she switched from red polka dotted to white dots on red. Elyse also has a very lovely Etsy shop called Tinkered Treasures  

Elyse's oilcloth covered kitchen tablecloth and her lovely home are  were featured in Fresh Cottage magazine.  

 Elyse's done it again, this time she's got a bit bolder with the dots on red print.

 This one comes from a fellow homeschooling mom, Jessica has saved an abused table by covering it with black and white gingham oilcloth.  How great is her at home school?

 I spied this oilcloth covered table on an episode of Top Chef!!!

Sandy, from 521 Lake Street, has done a great job making over a old thrift table into a wonderful craft table. And she used my favorite oilcloth print, I just love those perky cherries.

Q and A: The wrong side of laminated cotton

This super cute fabric will be arriving in March, but I got a hold of some to play with early!! Stay tuned!!

Q: What does the backside of the laminate cotton look like and just to verify, it is food safe?

A The back side of laminated cotton is just cotton fabric. Unfortunately, the fabric manufacturers have not had their fabric tested for food safety. Here's what I know about food safety and fabric..

Q: Thank you, is the back side printed or solid white?

A: Laminated cotton is a two process fabric. First the design is printed onto cotton, just like a quilting cotton would be. Then the printed fabric is laminated with a thin coating of polyurethane.

I have attached a photo with the wrong side of a fabric that will becoming out next month. You can clearly see the monkey's on the back side.

Thanks for asking, I hope this helps,
Kelly

Q and A: Lamianted Cotton Tablecloths

A table should be pretty even when you live in a construction zone!

Q:  Does the laminated cotton work as well for a table cloth as the oil cloth? Where is the laminated cotton made? Which would you recommend for a dining room table?

A:  I am sitting at my dining room table right now and it's covered with the apple chevron laminated cotton. I've totally switched to laminated cotton for my personal use. Most of the fabric is wider -- 56" wide-- so I don't have to piece it together. That's a time saver!!

Everyone of my laminated tablecloths has lasted just as long as my oilcloths. The wipe up well and are just as water resistant as oilcloth. The nice thing is that they don't have that PVC smell. Laminate is covered with a PUL coating not PVC.

The fabric companies are importing it in from Korea.

Hope this helps,
 Kelly

Q & A: Laminated Cotton as table cloth

Q:  I think this would be an amazing craft service tablecloth! I was wondering what the edges look like on the sides (of the laminated cotton). Are they finished?

A:  Your right, laminated cotton would be a great craft service tablecloth. It cleans up well, it's waterproof, it's wider than oilcloth (54"/55") and every single print is to die for!! Laminated cotton has selvedge edges just like a regular cotton fabric, but if you just cut it off with a regular pair of scissors (pinking shears would be great too) you'd be set.

Use a ruler and a pencil to create straight lines and square corners and then cut out your pretty new tablecloth. Laminated Cotton doesn't fray or curl up on the ends so you really don't need to hem or trim it. It's great if your in a rush or not sewing-inclined.

On another note: Like the new print? It's from Jennifer Pagenellie's (AKA Sis Boom) Honey Child fabric line. It's really dreamy. We'll be receiving this and two more coordinates in just a few days time!! I love me some pretty new laminated cotton, don't you?

Q and A: Solid Laminated Cotton

Photo Credit: wire-sculpture.com

Q:  I've looked at the fabrics you have but didn't see any solid colors to chose from...

A:  Unfortunately, all of the laminated cottons on the market today come from high-end quilting companies. The companies make wonderful designer fabrics and they are solid fabric driven.

While there are many of us would really enjoy a selection of pretty solid laminated cottons the fabric companies aren't so keen to my suggestion. I am sure the cost is very high and the fear the demand is low. Hopefully someday they will make that for us. Meanwhile, I'll keep asking my fabric reps.







Leave a comment if you are interested in solid laminated cotton and let us know what would be your preferred color would be.

Q & A: Covering chair cushions with laminated cotton

Question: I am considering re-doing some old chairs that currently have oilcloth on their seats. They would be used in a very active kitchen (which includes three kids). How would cotton laminate hold up as opposed to oilcloth?

Kelly: While laminated cotton is not as thick as oilcloth, I do think that it will work. It's thin and supple, but it's still strong. I think it would last longer than if you were to use a medium weight cotton fabric.

If I were to try this, I would add a layer of fusible interfacing. I've had some luck using fusible Heat Bond on the back of laminated cotton. You need to use a dry iron, set on medium heat, and be sure to use a press cloth or the laminate will melt!! The interfacing would increase the longevity of the cotton laminate for use as seat cushions.

Oilcloth is a great fabric for covering seats, but laminated cottons have a different design aesthetic and compliment certain decors better than the kitschy oilcloth prints.

photo credit Prudent Baby

I am a big fan of going with the unexpected when it comes to easy projects like seat covers, and I like to change things every couple of years. I don't think you'd be unhappy if you used the laminated cotton.

Check out this fun bath bench from the brilliantly talented Prudent Baby gals! I'll email them and see how this cute bench has held up and report back to you all ASAP!

Q & A: What can you do with oilcloth?

I found this question in my inbox today and I think that it's the best question ever. I do have some ideas on what to do with oilcloth, twenty ideas in fact!!

Q: What can you do with oilcloth?

A: I have an entire book coming out about a month that will answer that for you. Sewing with Oilcloth is a pretty little book filled with 20 patterns with lovely pictures by Meghan McSweeney Photography. There is an entire chapter filled with tips, tools and trims that will make sewing with oilcloth fun and easy! The other 3 chapters have projects for you, for your home and for your little ones. There are projects of oilcloth, laminated cotton and chalk cloth.

In the meantime please check out my Oilcloth Addict Blog for tutorials, basic tips, and loads of great ideas from the crafty community and my fellow oilcloth addicts! 

Many thanks and happy sewing,
Kelly

Q and A: Chalk Cloth Facts!!

Q: I am interested in the chalk cloth, but had read that it contains phthalates and lead. Is the cloth you have free of both of these ingredients?

A: Not all chalk cloths are created equally. There are chalk cloths out there that are thin and brittle, that don't lay flat once cut. Now, I have no idea if these two contain lead or phthalates but what I don know is that the chalk cloth that we carry comes from a very reliable source.

Oilcloth Internationals chalk cloth is scientifically proven to be be both lead or phthalate free. So when you're buying chalk cloth be sure that it is their trademarked Chalkcloth ™.

We tried the other version and it was substandard so we'll never carry anything other than the good stuff from now on!! 

Learn more of caring for chalk cloth here!

Learn more about chalk vs chalk pens here!

Q & A: Oilcloth as a BBQ Cover

Question: I have been toying with using oilcloth for a BBQ cover in the winter. Are you aware of pros/cons? How does oilcloth differ from a tarp or vinyl in this regard?

Answer:  I use an oilcloth cover, and I must say it didn't look pretty for long! I made it in the summer of '09. As you can see in the picture, I used the cherry print on white. Over the first winter it became moldy and faded. I can, and have, scrubbed it clean but it's still a faded mess. On a positive note, it's still weather proof, which is why I am still using it.

I've been toying with the idea of using a sunbrella fabric, flat lined with a thin clear vinyl. That way I get a fun print and it'll still be waterproof.

Let me know what you decide to do!

Kelly

Q & A: Threads

Photo Credit: Martha Bernabe

From time to time I get some really great questions! Here is another good one from Rosies!

Question: What type of thread do you suggest for laminated cotton? Oilcloth? (and chalk cloth)

Answer: Any old all-purpose thread that you have laying around will work. If you're going out to buy new thread for your project, I recommend that you go with Gutterman. Coats and Clark is fine, but if you sew for a living (like all day, everyday), I have found that Coats and Clark can make your machine a little linty. Sometimes the color and the price of Coats and Clark is just too good to pass up though, so I'll get that in a pinch.

Happy Sewing!!!

Q & A; chalk vs. chalk marker

Recently, I received a great question concerning what works best on chalk cloth, chalk sticks or chalk makers? I just had to share my answer with you all. (BTW, we now have chalk markers in the shop)

The question was...Can you use only traditional sticks of chalk or are those chalk markers used on menu boards safe as well?

The answer is... both are great on chalk cloth! First you need to cure your chalk cloth and then you are good to go.

I prefer the chalk sticks for everyday use. We homeschool our kids so I use our chalk cloth board daily, I use regular chalk for lessons. But I like using the markers/pens for more long lasting applications, such as my chalk cloth labels and Mason Jars.

Note: The chalk cloth markers can require a bit of elbow grease to get off the chalk cloth if the writing has been on there for a while. I think it is worth the extra effort!

Got a question? Bring it on!

Great Question: Party Tablecloths?

Q: Are you able to use these (oilcloth yardage) as table cloths for a party?

A: Yes!! Oilcloth is perfect for parties. The best thing is that you don't have to hem oilcloth, it doesn't fray. Quick, easy, and fun!! You can get fancy with a pair of pinking shears to use my Chalk Cloth Runner pattern to create a scalloped edge.

This pattern is from my book, Sewing with Oilcloth. You can download it for free from Amazon!! It's found under the SEE MORE button.

Q & A: How thick is oilcloth?

Have you ever wondered how thick oilcloth is? Well, recently a customer asked me to show her just that. Here's a little show and tell, it's thinner than a dime!