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Thursday 24 January 2013

Oilcloth...yay, or nay?!

Oilcloth. What is your opinion on it? I personally love the stuff. I can't say I always have. Years ago I would have shuddered at the mere thought of a 'plastic' tablecloth! Now, don't get me wrong...Nothing can replace a beautiful, soft, tactile linen cloth, but when you've got three young kidlets who seem determined to spill and wipe sticky fingers on every surface at every opportunity, one has to be practical! As soon as the very lovely Ms Kidston launched her range of gorgeous, cheery oilcloth, I was hooked! Not only was it practical, but in my opinion pretty fabulous! Others soon followed, and a wide selection of fabric prints are available in oilcloth these days. I always have one on my kitchen table. The kids can play with Playdoh on it, and it saves my dear old oak table from ruin. But, I don't like a tablecloth that sits awkwardly. As oilcloth is stiff compared to fabric, it doesn't drape as well I think. It looks a little unfinished if just cut straight on the edges. So, this is what I do with mine...

Once I've uhm-ed and aah-ed, and chosen my brand new bit of plastic cloth, I bring it home with a cheery hop, skip and a jump. I draw a scalloped edge all around it, grab my trusty scissors and cut! And now it looks a little more loved...


oilcloth cath and cath kidston roberts radio

No sewing...No fraying...
Ready to enjoy!





















And, if you have a little left over, you can put it to use somewhere else. I made a little jacket for my hand wash dispenser. It sits very tidily next to the sink...(Didn't like the supermarket logo on the bottle, so thought I'd cover it up!)





















So, what's the verdict? Are you a fan or not? Would love to hear from you! 

Tania ♥♥♥

27 comments:

  1. Hi, Tania--

    I love oilcloth. I don't use it on our table but instead for all kind of little projects. It's great that there are so many patterns and colors available. :)

    Your photos are lovely. And yes, why can't brands just make dish detergents that look pretty in the first place?

    Have a good day. Are you buried under snow there?

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    1. Hi Val! So lovely to hear from you! Yes, we did have some snow, but not too much where we are. Just enough to have a little fun and build a snowman! Thanks for popping in and saying hi! Have a lovely weekend! Tania ♥

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  2. I am a huge fan but like you, I hated how it draped on a table. Can't wait to try the scalloped edges. I especially love using the cloth on my painting table. The patterns and the colors make it fun to sit down each day to paint. Thanks for the great tip.

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    1. Hi Meg! Thank you for staying, reading and leaving lovely comments! I wish I could paint! Such a wonderful gift! Hope to see you again soon! Tania ♥

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  3. I love the staging in your photos. I think you have such a talent for it, it always looks so pretty.

    I am on the fence when it comes to oil-cloth. I love it because having young children it is wipe able and easy to maintain but then I find that it slips about the table and stains really easily... it might be me doing something wrong but I go through phases where I use it but then get so annoyed that I take it off and not use any and watch my table get battered.

    I like the scalloped edge but again how do you stop it from slipping about? I usually cut mine to size and then use drawing pins on the underside edge of the table to attach it but like you say mention it just doesn't like 'nice' then and I want it too :(

    Love the use of the offcut and Val you are so right, companies should think about making prettier labels on their packaging.

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    1. Hi Rebecca! Thank you for the lovely, sweet compliment! I do love playing around with the old camera! :)
      I go through the same phases as you do with oilcloth...it really annoys me when something that is suppose to be 'wipe-clean' get stained! I do replace it from time to time when this happens. As for it slipping about, well, I found that there are some heavy weight oilcloth available, and these tend to slip around more. The cloth featured in this blog is a lighter weight than what I've had before, not as stiff, so it hangs better and slips less. Hurray!
      Have a truly wonderful weekend, and thanks for popping in.
      Tania ♥

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  4. I always used oilcloth on my kitchen table when my boys were little - so practical. Great not just for food spills, but for painting and crafting mess too!
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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    1. Thanks for the vote! :) A practical lady you are! Have a lovely weekend.
      Tania ♥

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  5. I like the stuff! I use a little as a mat for my dog's water bowl, to stop her dribbling water all over the kitchen floor! I imagine it's a Godsend with little 'uns. x

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    1. Hi Anna! Yes, a godsend it is! And what a great idea to use as a mat for your doggie's water bowl! xxx

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  6. I used oil cloths when my kids were little at home.. And honestly,haven't thought about them for a while now.. But, seeing this beautiful floral one and the fantastic idea to cut it in scallops.. I think I will be looking at the oil cloth real soon. thank you for sharing.

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    1. Thanks for popping in Judy! Have a blessed weekend!
      Tania ♥

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  7. A big "yay" from this side of the world! :) My grandma always kept oilcloth tablecloths on the tables on her deck when I was a little girl (floral prints mostly) and I've been in love with this durable, classic material every since those early days.

    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Grandma's were wise ladies! It definitely makes me feel a little nostalgic, using something that's stood the test of time, even if other's see it as old hat! With all the lovely prints available these days, how can one say 'no'! :)
      Tania ♥

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  8. Was like you - it looks very pretty and vintagey but the stiffness was annoying but you have solved that one so it may be coming back out - I like it when baking and making bread. I can see you are a big fan of Ms CK with your lovely display - love the radio!

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    1. I too love it when baking! It's great for rolling it cookie dough!
      Yes, I'm a Cath fan for sure! The radio was a Christmas present from hubby...:) Got to love the man! Tania ♥

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  9. ... forgot to add - love the soap dispenser jacket too - great idea and will copy for my kitchen - thank you.

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  10. Oil Cloth is something I have never thought about - but I absolutely adore the scallop edge your gave your tablecloth - so pretty! Hmmm, maybe I do need some!
    Claire

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    1. Try it! There are some very pretty prints available. So lovely to wipe clean, and not to have to worry about spills too much! Tania ♥

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  11. I love your scalloped edge and what a clever idea to put a jacket on the soap dispenser. I have never bought oil cloth but I will now give it consideration.
    Cath @ Bits 'n Bobs

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    1. Hi Cath! Try it. You might just love it! :)
      Tania ♥

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    1. Hi Josie-Mary!
      Thank you for the thumbs up! :)
      Hope your weekend is a good one!
      Tania ♥

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  13. I just love the stuff! It does remind us of our Grandma's doesn't it? I have to admit to being obsessed with it, I have several table cloths for indoors and out. I covered the seat cushion on my settle years ago now and it still looks good. We use the settle instead of dining chairs and is great to wipe down. It's just a boat design from Ikea, I read somewhere at the time that it was designed by CK, whether it is or not I love it anyway. I bought tons of it at the time and still have much left.
    My projects with it next are for some garden cushions and the odd draught excluder as they won't get grubby sliding all over the hard floors.
    I adore the scalloped edges on yours, that is a great idea, really finishes it off nicely X

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    1. Hi Beckah! So glad I'm not the only oilcloth fan! I have covered our kitchen chairs with it, and it is so wonderful to be able to wipe it clean, albeit a little chilly to sit on! :) One can change the look of chairs in minutes with it, and it is very durable. Love it! Glad you do too! Tania ♥

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  14. This beige coated tablecloth is decorated with cheerful red hearts and snowflakes. view here

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