7 DIY Thanksgiving Tablescape Ideas

Oh my goodness – it’s that time of year, people! I don’t know about you, but I always loved the fall and winter months because that meant it was time to entertain! When I was growing up, I remember my mom and dad hosting these lavish thanksgiving meals with what seemed like hundreds of people. There would be so much food. TOO much food! We would have leftovers for weeks! But the one thing that really sticks out in my mind is how my mom would set up this beautiful tablescape with all sorts of fabrics, textures, colors, and decorations. I would always help her by folding the napkins or setting the table runner until one day she let me do it myself. So seeing as though I work for a fabric company, I thought it would be a wonderful idea to show you all how to do a simple DIY tablescape using some of Mood’s fantastic home dec fabrics, as well as cotton prints, cozy wool, and more!

I had so much fun selecting coordinating fabrics, colors and textures from our very own collection of fabrics. It was like being a kid in a candy store! In this blog, I’ll show you which prints and solids I chose and how to make each component of the table from the tablecloth to the napkins and everything in between!

Napkins

First, let’s start with the napkins. I chose this beautiful Demitasse Windowpane Check Wool Twill because of the perfect fall colors. The browns, oranges, and golds just coordinated perfectly with the other fabrics I selected for the tablescape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These could not be any easier to make, and they take no time at all! Simply cut your fabric into 8 identical 14″ squares (or whatever size you desire), roll the hems on all four sides, pin and sew it up!

Here’s what you’ll need and a breakdown of each step:

1. 1 yard of fabric, such as twill
2. Thread
3. Sewing machine
4. Iron
5. Pins
6. Pattern paper

Steps to make your napkin:

1. Measure a 14″ square of pattern paper to ensure your edges are straight when you cut your fabric squares.
2. Fold your fabric in half so you can cut two napkins at a time.
3. Pin your pattern to your fabric to secure during cutting.
4. Once all of your napkins are cut, fold the edges 1/4″ and press with your iron. Fold again and repeat to create a rolled hem.
5. Pin the hems in place by pinning perpendicular to the edge. This will keep the presser foot from catching onto the pins.
6. Sew each hem along the fold line. Each corner should be finished as depicted above.
7. Iron your napkin and fold into whatever design you wish! In this article, we will be making napkin rings which are a fun accent that elevates any tablescape!

Napkin Rings

To coordinate with the gold in the napkins, I selected this Copper Fashion-Weight Faux Leather to make our napkin rings. The metallic element adds a level of sophistication and pizzaz that every table needs. It also ties in well with the other metallic pieces you may have on your table, such as a copper pot or casserole dish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s what you’ll need and a breakdown of each step:

1. 1/4 yard of fabric such as faux leather
2. Thread
3. Sewing machine
4. Pattern paper

Steps to make your napkin rings:

1. Measure a 2 1/2″ X 4 1/2″ rectangle of pattern paper to ensure your edges are straight when you cut your fabric.
2. Cut each strip individually with this fabric since it slips easily and you want to make sure your edges are straight.
3. Once all of your strips are cut, fold the edges 1/4″.
4. Pin the hems in place by pinning perpendicular to the edge. This will keep the presser foot from catching onto the pins.
5. Sew each hem along the fold line.
6. Fold the two side edge together with the front of the fabric facing itself as shown above.
7. Sew along the edge with a 1/2″ seam allowance.
8. Turn right side in and voila! You have your napkin rings ready to go!

Table Cloth

What fall tablescape would be complete without a bit of this beautiful pumpkin orange? I selected this Russet Orange Medium-Weight Linen for our tablescape to add a pop of color.

Here’s what you’ll need and a breakdown of each step:

1. 3 yards of fabric such as linen
2. Thread
3. Sewing machine

Steps to make your tablecloth:

1. You will be using all 3 yards of your fabric (or depending on how big your table is, you may be using more or less), so you will just have to make sure your cut edges are straight.
2. Roll your hems 1/2″ on all four sides and press. Then fold a second time and press again.
3. Pin the hems in place by pinning perpendicular to the edge. This will keep the presser foot from catching onto the pins.
4. Sew each hem along the fold line.
5. Iron your tablecloth and you’re all set!

Table Runner

A table runner is an absolute necessity if you want to complete the look of your tablescape. The added pattern just gives the table more interest and texture. For my table runner, I chose this Peach and Black Zig Zag Stretch Cotton Sateen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s what you’ll need and a breakdown of each step:

1. 3 yards of fabric such as sateen
2. Thread
3. Sewing machine

Steps to make your table runner:

1. You will be using all 3 yards of your fabric (or depending on how big your table is, you may be using more or less), so you will just have to make sure your cut edges are straight.
2. Fold your fabric in half long ways twice to make a long narrow strip.
3. Pin the sides in place by pinning perpendicular to the edge. This will keep the presser foot from catching onto the pins.
4. Top-stitch each side along the fold line.
5. For the sides, roll your hem 1/2″ twice and press. Sew along the fold line.
6. Iron your table runner and you’re all set!

Placemats

To tie the copper into this tablescape even more so, I decided to use this phenomenal Burbon Floral Embossed Vinyl. The color, the texture, and the water resistance, made this the perfect fabric to go with my fall ensemble.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s what you’ll need and a breakdown of each step:

1. 1 yard of fabric such as vinyl
2. Thread
3. Sewing machine
4. Pins
5. Pattern paper
6. Scissors

Steps to make your placemats:

1. Measure a 16″ X 12″ rectangle of pattern paper to ensure your edges are straight when you cut your placemats.
2. Cut each strip individually with this fabric since it slips easily and you want to make sure your edges are straight.
3. Pin your pattern to your fabric to secure during cutting.
4. Once all of your placemats are cut, fold the edges 1/2″ and press with your iron.
5. Pin the hems in place by pinning perpendicular to the edge. This will keep the presser foot from catching onto the pins.
6. Sew each hem along the fold line. Each corner should be finished as depicted above. Your placemats are finished!

Hot Plate / Pot Holder

How fun is this Red, Orange and Brown Cotton Tweed? Bringing in some elements of red, really embellished this tablescape, but the texture and the weight of this fabric made the perfect hot plate. This fabric was so easy to work with, I could have made like fifty of these things in no time!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s what you’ll need and a breakdown of each step:

1. 1 yard of fabric such as tweed
2. Thread
3. Sewing machine
4. Pins
5. Pattern paper
6. Scissors

Steps to make your placemats:

1. Measure an 8″ square of pattern paper to ensure your edges are straight when you cut your squares.
2. Cut each square individually with this fabric since it slips easily and you want to make sure your edges are straight.
3. Pin your pattern to your fabric to secure during cutting.
4. Once all of your placemats are cut, fold the edges 1/2″ and press with your iron.
5. Pin the hems in place by pinning perpendicular to the edge. This will keep the presser foot from catching onto the pins.
6. Sew each hem along the fold line. Each corner should be finished as depicted above. Your placemats are finished!

Oven Mitt

Doesn’t this adorable oven mitt just look like an over-sized mitten? I had so much fun making this little guy, and I have to say I think it came out pretty good! I would recommend a heavier weighted fabric, so I chose this Black, Brown and Grey Boucled Tweed. Fun tip! To ensure that my quilting stitches were parallel, I used the pattern of the weave to guide my stitch line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s what you’ll need and a breakdown of each step:

1. 1 yard of fabric such as tweed
2. Thread
3. Sewing machine
4. Pins
5. Pattern paper
6. Scissors

Steps to make your oven mitt:

1. Using your own hand as a guide, trace a mitt shape with a generous amount of room for your hand.
2. Fold your fabric in half so your two halves of the oven mitt are reflections of each other.
3. Pin your pattern to your fabric to secure during cutting.
4. Once your pieces are cut, place on the table with the right side of the fabric facing down.
5. Fold a 1/2″ hem on the bottom edge of each piece.
6. Pin the hems in place by pinning perpendicular to the edge. This will keep the presser foot from catching onto the pins.
7. Sew each hem along the fold line.
8. The quilted seams are optional, but if you so choose, mark the desired distance between each line with a fabric pencil or chalk. Make sure your lines are parallel.
9. Place both pieces together with the right side of the fabric facing each other and pin together so they are aligned.
10. Sew around the edge with a 1/2″ seam allowance. Be sure to avoid sewing the opening!
11. Turn right side out and you’re all set!

I hope you all have as much fun with this project as I did! Your festive tablescape will be the talk of the family for holidays to come. If you have any questions or comments, leave them below. Happy sewing, and happy holidays!