I built the ratty old picnic table in our backyard from a kit seven years ago. It’s ten feet long and can fit up to twelve people outside quite comfortably and I love it. We’ve frequently touched it up with paint, but the dear piece of furniture has definitely seen better days.

Enter oilcloth.

I bought my tablecloth from Denver Fabrics where for less than 5 bucks a yard, you can cover your less than perfect picnic table in vintage style. No sewing, no hemming and certainly no hawing required.

It makes every party seem more festive and when I’m done? All I have to do is hose it off. After four years with my 4 yards of oilcloth covering the table, there’s some very minor fading. But it looks even more authentic.

Plus, if you tire of it, you can always turn it into a bib, a shopping bag or a very stylish apron.