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Upcycling and finding different, unexpected uses for a piece you love but don't necessarily need is one of the great joys of buying secondhand. Without the hefty price tag or incessant marketing pushing you towards a specific trend, it's easier to let your imagination run wild, usually with amazing results. Quilts are one such versatile decades-old home accent piece you'll want to snatch up at the thrift store. A quilt's potential beyond the bedroom as quirky wall art, a picnic blanket, or upholstery is relatively well recognized, but there's another purpose it could be serving. Thanks to incredible durability, derived from multiple layers and the batting between them, this fabric piece is a surprisingly great fit for the dining room table and all of its heavy traffic.
Using a quilt as a tablecloth is more common than it sounds, especially within the crafty quilting community — members often make them from scratch. The comfortable fabric and soft touch of a quilt bring a unique kind of warmth to the dining experience that's reminiscent of farm houses and vintage family homes — it's perfect to bring an added dose of coziness to your home. And if you're worried about pesky food and drink stains, the best way to clean a quilt is to tackle those spots immediately with some dish soap and warm water. Many quilts are machine washable and dryable, too.
Read more: 15 Valuable Vintage Trinkets You Should Always Look For At Thrift Stores & Estate Sales
How to style quilts as tablecloths
When you think of quilts, the mental image of colorful patchwork is nearly inevitable. And yes, while they're a great way to personalize your space with patterns, there are plenty of other ways to style these unique tablecloths. A serene off-white quilt, for one, pairs beautifully with a woodland theme. You can dress the table with wooden tableware, green napkins, and dried flower arrangements to play off the quilt's cozy, cabin-in-the-woods feel. This setup will look particularly dreamy for alfresco summer meals, surrounded by fairy lights and trees.
And, since we've established that quilted tablecloths are synonymous with coziness, what's cozier than the holidays? A quilt in rich coppery red and white tones provides the perfect, homey backdrop for all the delicious, sumptuous food and joyful pine tree, mistletoe, and snowflake-filled Christmas tableware. Or choose a holiday-themed quilt and keep the tableware simple.
If, however, you're unafraid of bold décor, let yourself lean into traditional, intricately designed quilts with rich patterns or patchwork. If you fall in love with a particularly ornamented piece, bring it into your home for an added dose of craftsmanship and character. These quilts are likely handmade with love and care and follow a long history of folk art. In that scenario, you'll want to make your quilted tablecloth the star of the show, so layer your table with simple dishware and minimal decorations.
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