An Over-Engineered Dinette Table Cover

peaman

Sustaining Member
When the tools and supplies come out for maintenance projects, the dinette table seems like a convenient work surface. Having used various ad hoc covers for the table, I decided that convenience and style suggested that a custom cover was needed. The cover should be protective, utilitarian, and ideally, not too primitive, with a neat custom fit without unnecessary bagginess. My final product is shown below.

IMG_0269.jpeg
The top is fairly wrinkle-free, and will not shift. The surface is equally suitable for dinner plates and tool boxes.


IMG_0268.jpeg IMG_0270.jpeg
The corners were detailed to provide a neat and tight fit when deployed....


IMG_0273.jpeg
...but allowance needed to be made on the underside for easy removal. This detail called for considerable head scratching to avoid fussiness in getting a neat fit below.


IMG_0271.jpeg
A nylon cord provides uniform tension along catenary curves at the cover edges.


IMG_0272.jpeg
The top stitching was informed by the edge detail of the table itself. A non woven liner protects the table finish from scratches.

I'm pretty happy with the finished item, in spite of the enormous number of hours spent either thinking about or executing this thing. And it was good to get additional productive use of my Sailrite sewing machine.
 

peaman

Sustaining Member
Very very nice, now you tempt me to get a sail rite and start doing some of my own canvas work.
Our boats demand much from us, but they give much in return. Not long after I bought my 1987 boat, back in 2021, I asked a canvas shop for an estimate to replace my raggedy dodger. I was quoted about 22% of what I paid for the rest of the boat. Since then, I have used my SailRite LSZ for a few different projects:
Next up:
  • Modify front edge of dodger for new fasteners with improved clearance at traveller
  • Fabricate trim for forward part of dodger to provide new openings for traveller lines
  • New overhead hatch covers
  • New canvas/mesh divider between cockpit locker and engine area
  • New canvas breadbasket for the dinner table
If you are thinking of buying, I will note that while I and many others purchased the LSZ machine with zig-zag capability for work on sails, I have yet to make significant use of that, so the straight stitch LS machine may be a good choice, with a savings of $200. Also note, that a search of this forum will turn up many other useful comments about the SailRite and other sewing machines, etc. Have fun.
 
Top