Sewing expert Linda Lee shows Edye Ellis, host of HGTV's Today at Home, how to make a tailored linen floor cloth with a scalloped edge. Materials:
Linen fabric in two colors -- one for the background and one for the scalloped edge
Tag board
Paper for pattern
Pen or pencil
Compass
Sewing machine
Steam iron
Optional: tailor board
Scissors
Straight pins
- Determine the size for your linen floor cloth.
- Use a compass to make a tag-board template of a portion of the scalloped border (figure A).
- Use the template to make two longer patterns, each of which includes two corners of the scalloped border. Make the corner scallops in the shape of a three-quarter circle (figure B).
- Place each pattern piece on a double layer of fabric, and trace around the pattern, marking the stitching line. Add a 1/4" seam allowance around the scalloped edge before cutting out the border.
- With right sides together, stitch along the scalloped edge, using a fairly short stitch. Each time you make the transition from the end of one scallop to the beginning of the next, add one stitch parallel to the long edge of the fabric, which will make it easier to turn and press the scallops.
- After stitching the border pieces together, trim the seam allowance to about 1/16" (figure C). To get a nice edge, use large shears to trim the seam allowance rather than tiny trimming scissors. Trim very closely into the corner between scallops (figure D).
- Use a steam iron to press the seams open. A tailor board -- a wooden pressing board with a variety of shapes for pressing curved seams open -- comes in handy for pressing open the scalloped edges (figure E).
- Turn the scallops right side out, finger-press the seams to open them as far as possible, and press flat.
- When the entire border is pressed, you can attach it to the floor cloth. The scalloped border will edge the large piece of fabric, enclosing all raw edges. Align the straight edge of the border with the edge of the base fabric (figure F), and stitch together with a 1/2" seam. Press a 1/2" hem under on the opposite edge of the scalloped border. Turn the piece over, and pin the ironed hem of the border to the back side of the base fabric, covering the line of stitching (figure G). Turn the piece over, and topstitch along the sewn edge.
If desired, stencil patterns onto the fabric using a fabric stamp and fabric paint (figure H).
RESOURCES :
Linda Lee, sewing expert
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