I Have a Tablecloth Question

Updated on November 22, 2018
M.G. asks from Portland, ME
7 answers

I recently purchased a nice tablecloth 100% cotton.

I have never really used one - instead we usually do the harvest table look.

It slides all over the place, even with a centerpiece (substantial). Our table is quite big. I just find it bunches up. It has a pattern on it (quite intricate) and so you can tell when it's out of place, because it's not lined up. So it's a bit annoying. Normally, I wouldn't care but I find we're always kind of pulling at it when we're eating.

Now I can see why we've never bothered with one before.

My mom always has a pad or something underneath hers, but she's had it forever. I think hers is a concoction she came up with herself - with some other type of liner (quilted).

I am wondering what others do? I saw other responses when I typed in my question, involving weights and placemats. My table just seems super slippery. I think I'll ditch the tablecloth and go back to the minimalist look if I can't get it to stay on .. the kids throw their bags there and it's just looking rumpled, so much for trying to dress up the place a bit.

Thanks in advance :)

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Thanks everyone!

Will try the sheet and if that doesn't hold it, will look for one of these pads :)

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.B.

answers from Boston on

They sell table cloth pads at most stores that sell home goods...Walmart, Kohl's, Bed Bath Beyond, probably Christmas Tree Shops. There is usually a felt-like material on one side and vinyl on the other. The felted side goes against the table top and grips it. The vinyl side is face up and offers a water-proof barrier under the cloth to protect the table. The vinyl side is usually textured/lightly quilted to provide a surface to grip the cloth and prevent it from sliding. They're sold in multiple sizes or you can cut to size.

4 moms found this helpful

D.B.

answers from Boston on

If you love the tablecloth, you can get a rubber mesh like what is used under throw rugs and hall runners, or what is used under silverware trays in drawers. Rubbermaid (I think) makes the latter in a roll and you just cut the lengths you need. You could also talk to someone in a good fabric store. If you have to cut 2 lengths, just tape the edges together.

I use a thick flannel fitted sheet (really!) under my tablecloth - it gives me a layer of protection from warm dishes that people don't always set on trivets. It hugs the corners of the table and the tablecloth overhand hides the sheet corners. Its nubby surface keeps the tablecloth from sliding.

Another option would be something like Command adhesive strips, but if your tablecloth is thin, the strips will show unless the pattern is busy enough to hide them. Maybe put them on the side edge of the table?

This might be more work and expense than you want to deal with. That's why I led with "if you love the tablecloth"!

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I would get a rug-grip that you can put under throw rugs. Sometimes you can find it on a roll and cut it to size. You can find them all kinds of places, like Target, Home Depot, etc. Here is an example (not a roll, but the general idea): https://www.target.com/p/2-4-x3-6-better-rug-stay-natural...

When I bought my dining room furniture, I bought something like I think your mom has. It's a thicker padded table cover, vinyl-ish on top and quilted underneath, that you put under tableclothes. It was from Bed Bath and Beyond and was cut to size. It is great for preventing dings and burns. You can set hot stuff on it without using trivets. But I wouldn't use it for every day where kids throw their bags and stuff.

2 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

we have to have a tablecloth because my husband insisted we needed a nice good quality wood dining room table like grown ups instead of the awesome indestructible homemade tile one we had for years.

so now we have to jump through hoops to keep this table pristine. and that means tablecloths for the rare occasions we actually eat there.

i didn't know this (my husband IS the only grown up in our family) but they make these grippy felty things to put under tablecloths to help prevent them from slipping.

i'm glad to see i'm not the only one who didn't know this.
:) khairete
S.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

H.M.

answers from Dallas on

I would do away with it.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.G.

answers from Cleveland on

I would be very careful with your good wood table. Only use something made for this purpose. Certain plastics and rubber could affect the finish on the table. For instance I left a coated hand weight on a wood dresser and it left a permanent mark.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.G.

answers from Cleveland on

you can buy non skid material to put under it

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions