10 Genius Ways to Turn Old Tablecloths Into Something Beautiful

If your tablecloths carry special memories, turn them into a keepsake, suggests Gareth Lloyd Jones, a sustainability expert and managing director at HIPPO, a waste removal company. A memory quilt made out of your family’s old table covers can be passed down through generations. You can even incorporate other fabrics to the mix, like old baby clothes and T-shirts.

Jones adds that you can also turn your old tablecloths into wall hangings or fabric-covered photo frames. A patterned or embroidered tablecloth can instantly add warmth and texture when stretched over a wooden frame or hung as textile art. Smaller scraps can be used to cover bulletin boards or wrap around canvases for a low-cost statement piece.

You’ve seen them all over your feed: those dreamy, boho-style play tents that make any corner of the house feel like a magical hideaway. Jones points out that you can use old tablecloths to make your own mini tent or den for the kids.

Drape the fabric over a few wooden dowels, chairs or a collapsible laundry rack, then add twinkle lights, floor cushions and a few favorite stuffed animals for an easy weekend project. Lightweight linen or cotton tablecloths work best.

“For tablecloths that are too worn or stained to use in visible projects, they still make great drawer liners or pantry shelf covers,” says Jess Ok, founder of Naturally Free Sustainable, a marketplace for slow fashion and sustainable and low-impact goods.

Here’s how Ok says to make them: “Cut pieces to the dimensions of your drawer or shelf. Lay them inside as-is, or use double-sided tape to secure the corners. Frayed pieces can be trimmed with pinking shears.”

“A lot of older tablecloths are made from sturdy cotton or linen, which actually makes them perfect for reusable gift bags,” says Ok. “The fabric already has a nice drape, and the patterns, especially vintage ones, look surprisingly charming once cut down into smaller pieces.”

Ok says to first cut it into rectangles, then fold each in half. Next, sew up the sides, leaving the top open. If you don’t know how to sew, use hemming tape and an iron. Last, add a drawstring using a cotton cord or even a strip of leftover fabric.

“Old tablecloths can potentially be used to cover plants that need frost protection in the winter,” says Steve Corcoran, CEO of Lawn Love, a lawn care business. “Lots of perennial plants, especially young ones or those that are sensitive to colder temperatures, need a little extra preparation for winter weather so that they survive.”

Corcoran explains that while people will often use materials like burlap or old bedsheets, why not tablecloths? “The key is for the material to be breathable so that the plants aren’t smothered,” he adds. So, if your old tablecloths are made from a breathable material, they can likely be used for this.

According to Alice Moszczynski, a LEED Green Associate and New York-based interior designer at Planner 5D, “Vintage tablecloths usually have incredible patterns that deserve to be seen, not folded in a drawer.”

She suggests, “Stretch the fabric over a canvas frame or place it in a floating frame to create large-scale wall art. This works well for hand-embroidered or lace pieces, transforming a family heirloom into something fun to admire.”

“Old tablecloths can easily become matching napkins or placemats,” Moszczynski says. “Cut them into squares or rectangles, hem the edges with an iron on seam tape or a simple straight stitch, and you’ve got a full new set for everyday meals or holidays.”

She loves how this tactic can give older fabrics new life while keeping the color story of your table cohesive. But if the fabric has wear or stains, Moszczynski suggests to cut around the imperfections to save the best areas.