I’ve been wanting to make this pattern for ages, and the upcycles I’m doing for St Pat’s Repatched shop proved to be the perfect excuse.

I used two tablecloths and made three tops, which I thought was quite a good effort.
I initially chose a green (of course) maybe 1960’s tablecloth and had a play. It had stains and dirty marks where it had been folded, and came out of the St Pat’s sewing room stash.
I scoured it and most of the marks came out, but there were still a few dirty marks.



The top came together very quickly, but I was a bit disconcerted by the stains, so I covered them with hearts, front and back.

This is View C and it is quite short, but otherwise the fit is great.
I then raided my own tablecloth stash and found a large one which had belonged to my mother.
I made another View C, but made it longer.



For some reason, I found the sleeves on this one massive, even though they are the same as the green one. I think it’s more obvious from the back. I inserted elastic to tone them down a bit, but now I’m second guessing myself as to whether this is a good idea. Please excuse the layer underneath, I was feeling cold.

I had cut the top using the centre fold, which left the sides spare. I couldn’t bear to waste them, so I stitched them together down the middle and made another View C, but this time without the sleeves

I must have been having a moment as I decided that these sleeves stuck out too much too, so added elastic.

I’m still not sure whether this was a good idea, but they’ve been delivered to St Pat’s so I shall have to wait to see if they sell. I can always remove the elastic if people are put off by it.
It’s book week and Miss G wore her Rumi costume, which made me very happy. Sorry, I don’t quite know what happened to this photo but you get the drift.


The boots and dragon braid were abandoned when she got home and she was back to a little girl giving her dog kisses!
Adding elastic to the cap sleeves of the embroidered top did the trick! Very cute and flattering style.
Thank you so much. I’ve been overthinking it.
Love your tops! I could kick myself every time I see one of your fabulous tablecloth creations. (I’ve sadly passed too many by.) But I do have just a couple I’m now “afraid” to use (ruin).
I once purchased soda ash inspired by your successful scouring of linens, but have lost how you use it. Can you point me in the right direction? (FYI: I do remember that it wasn’t easy to find here in the US!)
Just dissolve about half a cup in boiling water. Add a squeeze of ph neutral dishwashing liquid and top up large saucepan with warm water. Set to simmer and add cloths. Simmer about an hour and then launder normally.
I’m sure you’ll be able to find more cloths once you start looking. Practice on cheap ones.