This tablecloth could have been a sheet at an earlier point.
In a perfect world, everyone would have French linen and lace adorning the tops of their tables and would get such tablecloths professionally dry-cleaned and pressed after each usage. Unfortunately, many people don't have the time or the budget for that. Luckily, there is a way to find budget solutions for tablecloths without resorting to plastic. Does this Spark an idea?
Wallpaper
If you've ever wallpapered a room of your house you are likely to have left over rolls that you can fashion into a striking, well tailored tablecloth. Unfurl one roll of wallpaper over the surface of the table, taping it underneath at both ends of the table to keep it taut. Instead of having the wallpaper hang off the edges of the table the way fabric would, instead trim a 2-inch border to hang off the edges all around the table. Make sure each hanging border is securely in place. This way, the wallpaper will protect the wood of your table and give you vivid colors and designs to admire while you eat.
Sheets
A good way to make use of extra sheets or sheets that are uncomfortable, rough or scratchy is to use them as a table covering. Above all, make sure the sheets are clean and pressed. Certain patterns of sheets such as plaid, gingham and certain floral patterns will make a festive addition to your table--and many people will never question whether or not they're actually a tablecloth. While top sheets are best for this, you can use fitted sheets as well; however, you have to lay the fitted sheet on the table and trim off the curved edges in order for it not to obviously look like a fitted sheet.
Patchwork Skirts
For a shabby chic, bohemian table setting, collect a bunch of skirts that you no longer wear. Slit them up the seams so that each skirt is transformed into a long panel of fabric. Sew each panel of fabric together in a random fashion so that you scatter the colors. This way you'll have a large patchwork quilt of different fabrics to give your table a very artsy appearance. Just make sure you wash all the skirts first before starting this endeavor.
Tags: fitted sheet, hang edges, make sure, many people, panel fabric, your table