Repurposed Ruffles

 

Q: Do you know what this is?
A: A shower curtain turned tablecloth!

I had been thinking and thinking and thinking about what to use as a tablecloth for my Silver Bella vendor table. I have nothing in my tablecloth stash that includes a floor-length table skirt, so I knew I'd have to make something {somehow} to achieve the look I was going for.

It was serendipity when I stopped in to see Abby at The Blissful and remembered she carries these gorgeous white ruffled shower curtains {pictured below right}.

 

{photo from www.TheBlissful.com}

It was a light bulb moment. "This is it! I can make this into a table skirt!" After measuring, I knew I would need two of them. I made my purchase, chatted with Abby and was on my way. Once I got home, I filled the bathtub with very hot water and added 100 tea bags. {I bought the cheapest ones I could find... tagless, generic tea.} After the fabric had reached the desired shade of time-worm cream, I drained the tub, wrung out the enormous ruffles and threw them in the dryer.

Then, I began measuring and pinning and pinning and pinning. I should have take more pictures of the process, but I was on a roll and didn't want to stop! But, seriously, I think I used 200 pins.

 

I had to go buy a pack of heavy duty sewing machine needles and some extra-strong thread. This fabric is heavy, and working with it was not unlike wresting an alligator. Once I stitched all of the panels together to form the skirt, I sewed the skirt portion to the tabletop cloth {a cream tablecloth I already had}.

Several days, many pricked fingers and a few curse words later {forgive me}.....TA DA!

 

The best part is that my kitchen table is a 6 foot farm table, and the vendor tables for Silver Bella are also 6 feet long. So, I'll be able to use it at home too!  Here is it in our kitchen, just before I packed it up in a big box and shipped it off to Omaha. Whew. That's enough sewing for me for a while. But I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out!

Comments

[Molly]

What a brilliant idea and one that I may borrow for the SF Gift Show in Feb. I've been racking my brain around a table skirt and didn't know what I was going to do! Thanks so much for sharing. You did an amazing job!

[Brandie pahl]

I LOVE it! Absolutely gorgeous! Now I want to make one or two or three, lol, they'll be all over the house!

[Samantha]

It's gorgeous!!! Don't you just LOVE those light bulb moments? And does it ever look beautiful on your dining room table...not to mention what a great fort it will make for the boys when they discover it! giggle :)

[Gabreial]

This is so gorgeous. I would love this as a bed skirt! It looks so soft. Love it as a table skirt too. Wonderful idea.

[Kelli - Vintage Vavoom]

That is simply amazing!! Way to go for figuring that one out. You are truly talented. Those ruffles will surely stand out!

[Andrea Villarreal]

Pure GENIUS! What a fantatic idea. The Blissful has such a beautiful website. Wishing you happy and safe travels.

[Mary]

I love it! Andrea, it's really pretty! Just as some earlier posts mentioned, now I too, want to make one. I've seen that shower curtain at our local Anthropologie store, and I swoon over it every time I go in. Again, have fun without me at SB! Can't wait for the pictures/posts about it.

Cheers,
Mary

[Jill Flory]

Love it Andrea. Looks just like something that would go with your store merchandise. Don't you just love those light bulb moments that turn out just like you want them to?!
By the way is your sewing machine a Janome? The presser foot area looks just like mine!
Jill

[Teresa McFayden]

SO DARLING!!

[phyllis]

Just such a great idea and so gorgeous too! Great that you can use it at home :)

[Leah C]

You are so resourceful...and the tablecloth is just beautiful! Have a great time at Silver Bella:)

[Hannah Shaw]

What an amazing idea! I LOVE it! I just can't get over how amazing that looks, hmm that would make a pretty cute skirt too. I can see myself now, "check out my new skirt honey, it's a shower curtain" lol yep sounds like me ;)

[wendy]

Oh how pretty, and Caroline noticed how nicely it drapes. I wish I had known about this beautiful idea last year when I was looking for floor length table cloths for my parent's anniversary party. With 5 daughters I think I'll still get the chance to try it out! Have a great time at SB!

[colleen]

Love it! I might have to borrow that idea for the next time I sell at an antiques show. Don't worry - I'll give you full credit if any customers ask how I came up with the idea!

[SusanHahaj]

That is just fantastic! I love this so much! Maybe I'll try it for my office desk, it could cover a multitude of mess under my desk! Suzie

[chelsea]

I love the way it cascades down and goes with the vintage prom theme perfectly. Although, I just looked at the price for that shower curtain and could NEVER pay that much for a shower curtain, let alone something I'd be cutting apart and repurposing. {and yours took TWO!?} I'd find the fabric and start from scratch.

[cammy@freckledfarm]

Absolute perfection! I plan on making this beautiful ruffled table one of my first stops next Friday evening! I so look forward to meeting you at Silver Bella.

BTW, thanks for the train case love--I would just love it if we were on the same flight!
Cammy

[maryk]

What a clever idea! Your table at SB will be fantastic. SB is one of my lifetime "100 wishes". I am afraid I'll run out of years before I run out of wishes. Have a wonderful time at SB; take pictures so that we may live vicariously thru your blog. maryk

[Fleur de Bee]

Gosh I just don't get around to your blog and others as I used to...but when I do it is truly eye candy! This is stunning and what an innovative use of the shower curtain! I want one for myself now.

Have a lovely time at Silver Bella! You will be the show stopper for sure with your vendor table!

-Molly

[Jenny]

If I knew how to sew I would totally do this!!Maybe I can con my mom into it.....hehehe. I love it!! Even the tea dye is great!

[kasey]

oh goodness, can you be anymore creative??
It looks lovely!
have a great week.
k-

[Diane]

You are such a clever Artist! And your table is going to be over the Top! How much better can things get then a Vendor Table dripping with aged to perfection ruffles! LOVE IT!!
Great Luck To You and Have Fun!
Hugs, Diane

[jamie]

Love, Love, Love it Andrea, Isn't it fun when things like this come together.. Beautiful Job too.. Have fun.. Jamie

[suzy]

Aren't you clever! Looks great, xo, suzy

[celia]

That's so sweet and cute! Lovely idea anyway!