Home advice: where to find an oval tablecloth

June 9, 8:44 AMBaltimore Food ExaminerKit Pollard

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Tablecloth in use. Photo by jenny downing.

Dear Kit,

Can you recommend a place to go find table linens. My dining room table is an oval and I find it hard to find a properly fitting table cloth?

Dara

Dear Dara,

Good question! I used to have an oval table and always found that my tablecloths were bagging in some spots and too short in others. What a pain.

As a short term solution, I sometimes gathered oversized cloths at each leg and tied them with a big ribbon. The effect was poufy and festive. Of course, this only works for tables with legs.

And that's not a "forever" solution, anyway. The real answer is to find some great tablecloths that really fit. Personally, I burn through tablecloths at an alarming rate, so I'm hesitant to buy any that are too nice or too expensive. I buy these Target hotel tablecloths in bulk. They're inexpensive, so I don't mind when guests spill vats of red wine on them. IKEA has a large selection of low cost tablecloths, too. Perfect for parties.

Of course, neither of these options really solve your problem. These tablecloths aren't specifically made for oval tables. However, Williams-Sonoma has a great collection of hotel linens, including some specifically designed for oval tables. I have a couple of these in my "party closet," too, and I can vouch for their quality.

But if you have something specific in mind, or if you're looking for something really special, you can't go wrong by having it handmade. Head to a fabric shop (it's a bit of a hike, but I like G Street Fabrics in Rockville), pick out some great fabric, and buy it. If you're confident in your sewing skills, making it yourself is an option. Finding a trusted seamstress is a little more difficult. Your local Jo-Ann Fabrics will likely have suggestions right in your area. Or try Craig's List. (No matter what, don't forget to ask for references.)

Or, if you have favorite vendors on Etsy, give them a shot - they might be willing to take on a custom commission (you also might find some great one-of-a-kind tablecloths, like this one).

Good luck!