How to keep a table-cloth on an outdoor table
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (342175)
Rockingham, Australia
March 11, 2017 6:53am CST
The concert at our Music Shack in Donnybrook, Western Australia, went off well although Vince had a lot of trouble with the sound during the sound check before the performance. It's quite complicated if you don't deal with sound desks regularly and sometimes sound technicians take a bit much for granted when explaining things.
However we got over the problems and the folks enjoyed the performance. The night did get a bit cold and windy but everyone knows to come prepared.
The husband and wife team came complete with boys aged 4, 6 and 3 months plus the woman's parents who baby-sat. They all stayed the night with us and we enjoyed their company.
But we're a bit tired today. We have packed up much of the gear and I thought you might like a photo of my creative way of ensuring the table-cloth didn't blow off the plastic table. Other times I've used pegs but that has been very successful.
Tying the corners worked well. You can see Herc in the background checking out one of the rubbish bins.
38 people like this
38 responses
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Mar 17
@spiderdust Thanks. It's not very elegant but I had too much to do to be bothered about the appearance too much.
@spiderdust (14760)
• San Jose, California
12 Mar 17
I have a set of those table clips, but discovered they don't fit the picnic tables at the park (the table tops are too thick for the clips to slide onto). I like this solution!
2 people like this
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
11 Mar 17
It takes creativity for things like this! We have a huge wood picnic table but it doesn't require a table cloth thank goodness, with our daily winds it would be in the next county in seconds.
4 people like this
@besweet (9859)
• Ireland
12 Mar 17
@JudyEv Thanks, I think that you can also find plastic clips to avoid rusting since they are going to be used outside. If there is nothing available, of course you can just improvise and find an equally effective way like the one in the picture!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121731)
• Gainesville, Florida
11 Mar 17
I have tied corners, used clips, and on more than one occasion have used tape to hold down the corners! When you are faced with windy conditions, you have to find creative ways to keep your table cloth from blowing off the table!
4 people like this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Mar 17
That's true. The old European men around here used to tie knots in the corners of a big hankie and wear it to keep the sun off their heads. I don't use cloths on the tables in the background but the plastic table is quite stained.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (223802)
• Chile
11 Mar 17
The are all sortorts of pins, but I never know where to get them and if they will hold well. I guess your idea is fine.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Mar 17
I didn't have any proper pins or clips and I knew pegs wouldn't be strong enough. It doesn't look the best but it worked. 
@allknowing (137822)
• India
11 Mar 17
Necessity is the mother of invention and you have proved it. Good idea there.
3 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
11 Mar 17
tying the tablecloth is a great idea. i'll remember that. when you put the heavy stuff on the corners, they "hem" still flaps around so thanks for the tip. i was wondering what herc was eating.
3 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (50527)
• United States
11 Mar 17
Tying the corners is a good idea.....very creative 
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Mar 17
Thanks. It did the trick so that was good. I suppose I should buy some clips one day.
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Mar 17
I never know how to describe most of our groups. I don't think they know themselves. They were sort of indie/folk I guess (whatever 'indie' means but that's what they put in their blurb). Most nowadays write their own songs which tell a story of some sort. They had great tight harmonies.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
11 Mar 17
I thought Herc was there to assist but apparently he found something more interesting!
3 people like this
@Tina30219 (82066)
• Onaway, Michigan
11 Mar 17
They have these medal clips you can use on tables to hold the tablecloth down and I believe even plastic ones .
2 people like this
@Tina30219 (82066)
• Onaway, Michigan
12 Mar 17
@JudyEv As long as it worked that is fine. Yeah the medal ones are the way to go.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Mar 17
Yes. @Gillygirl said her plastic ones broke. I've never got around to buying clips and I knew pegs wouldn't be strong enough so I came up with this.
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
11 Mar 17
smart ties! I have used the pegs or tape before myself
2 people like this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
12 Mar 17
@JudyEv the metal clippy ones seem to do ok, but plastic often breaks for me
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
11 Mar 17
Hope Herc didn't decide to rip the tablecloth off! 
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342175)
• Rockingham, Australia
11 Mar 17
That's true. I guess I should buy some clips one day but it's just more expense.
