# Oversized Dining Tables **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 5, 2012, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oversized-dining-tables/639906 "2012-11-05T00:36:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Patty117](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c2a13f/32.png) [@Patty117](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty117)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2012, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oversized-dining-tables/639906/1 "2012-11-05T00:36:22Z")
We have a wide dining table and a 70" wide tablecloth doesn’t allow for a drop of more than 2 inches or so. I can vary the length of the table so that’s not a problem. Please tell me what to do so I can get a drop of 7-10" around the table. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2012, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oversized-dining-tables/639906/2 "2012-11-05T00:54:50Z")
You may have to have them custom-made, perhaps with a seam down the middle. A drapery store would probably be able to give you a quote. Also, if you have the name of the manufacturer of the table, they may be able to hook you up with a tablecloth manufacturer. ---
**Author:** ![Zulema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/db5fbb/32.png) [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2012, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oversized-dining-tables/639906/3 "2012-11-05T01:52:57Z")
You could sew coordinating or contrasting panels on both sides of the table cloth. The seam wouldn’t be on the top where it would be annoying to set things on. ---
**Author:** ![Hockey\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a183cd/32.png) [@Hockey\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hockey_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2012, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oversized-dining-tables/639906/4 "2012-11-05T02:37:05Z")
Buy a larger tablecloth. ---
**Author:** ![picker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/picker/32/13969_2.png) [@picker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picker)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2012, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oversized-dining-tables/639906/5 "2012-11-05T03:13:12Z")
Get a smaller table. ---
**Author:** ![Seydell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Seydell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seydell)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2012, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oversized-dining-tables/639906/6 "2012-11-05T03:43:59Z")
A google search found several custom table cloth manufacturers: [http://yourbeautifulkitchen.com/index.html](http://yourbeautifulkitchen.com/index.html) > **[Custom Tablecloths made to order | Take a look at Tablecloth Designs](https://tableclothdesigns.com/)** > > Custom tablecloths are where we shine here at Tablecloth Designs. We provide both cloth and vinyl fabrics as well as custom printed fabric tablecloths. [http://www.jomaronline.com/tablecloths\_napkins.htm](http://www.jomaronline.com/tablecloths_napkins.htm) > **[A1 Tablecloth Co. | B2B Linen Supplier & Custom Manufacturer](https://a1tablecloth.com/)** > > Rent or Buy. We're a B2B linen supplier & custom manufacturer servicing the events industry. Hundreds of colors, dozens of fabrics, any size you desire. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Mood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@Blue\_Mood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Mood)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2012, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oversized-dining-tables/639906/7 "2012-11-05T09:06:46Z")
This company has a couple in stock (you have to click on each one to see the sizes available). [graciousstyle.com](http://www.graciousstyle.com/shop/oversized-tablecloths)They’re crazy expensive though. A much cheaper option would be to buy a flat sheet. (Full size is 86" by 105" so would work perfectly.) Something like this for example: [Lands’ End](http://www.landsend.com/pp/200-count-percale-printed-vine-bedding~242989_1095.html) ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2012, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oversized-dining-tables/639906/8 "2012-11-05T09:19:15Z")
I use two tablecloths, sometimes matching, sometimes contrasting, and just lay them out so that one edge of each is along opposing table edges and the free ends hang as low as I like them. I’ve been known to use three or more small ones and run them “sideways”, too. Doesn’t really work for a very formal look, but it works for quirky and casual. Or forget the tablecloth entirely and use pretty placemats and a runner. ---
**Author:** ![Patty117](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c2a13f/32.png) [@Patty117](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty117)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2012, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oversized-dining-tables/639906/9 "2012-11-05T21:34:58Z")
Thank you for taking time to research this! ---
**Author:** ![Patty117](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c2a13f/32.png) [@Patty117](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty117)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2012, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oversized-dining-tables/639906/10 "2012-11-05T21:36:01Z")
Thanks for the suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oversized-dining-tables/639906/11 "2012-11-05T22:09:23Z")
Sew a ruffled or pleated edge around the outside of the tablecloth per Zulema’s suggestion. That would make it fancy and it would look like the extra pieces were added on purpose. ---
**Author:** ![elizabeth.evenson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dc4da7/32.png) [@elizabeth.evenson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elizabeth.evenson)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2013, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/oversized-dining-tables/639906/12 "2013-01-16T11:41:26Z")
Hey Patty117, had I been in your place I would have used the [spandex table covers](http://www.sculptwareonline.com/table-linens-covers.php) instead of linens. The spandex table covers would not only had solved the problem of large drop but also would be lot cheaper. Sculptware is a one stop shop for all types of table covers. You can check them for the colors you are looking for.