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DIY Ruffled Plastic Tablecloth Streamers For Parties

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Did you know you can make plastic tablecloth streamers?! When my kids were younger, I used to LOVE throwing big parties! I would get crazy with decorations and DIY tons of projects.

I loved my parties to have a big visual impact but I also wanted things to be inexpensive. For one party, I wanted lots of ruffley garlands. I looked online and everything was so pricey. And then I figured out that I could make ruffled plastic streamers from inexpensive disposable tablecloths! HBD sign with ruffled streamers from plastic tablecloths.Updated May, 2019 | I always write about stuff I love and think you’ll like too. This post contains affiliate partnerships so I may get a share of the revenue from your purchase. I’m saving that revenue to put my kids through college. But sometimes I go to Starbucks…

It’s just a meeting if there aren’t party streamers, am I right?! This tutorial is YEARS old and the photography is not super great, so just bear with me. The photo above is a newer photo of the tablecloth streamers.

I used them for a party I styled and they looked so cute! I love simple (but cute!) party decor ideas! Don’t you?

Party streamers made out of plastic tableclothsHow cute are these ruffled streamers?! I’m not even sure how this idea came to me but I started thinking about how sometimes when you stretch plastic it warps it and creates a sort of lettuce edge.

I gave it a try and they turned out super cute. So with just a cheap plastic tablecloth, you can create bunches of darling ruffled party streamers!

 

Watch this Ruffled Streamers Tutorial again over on YouTube!

Your Party Needs Plastic Tablecloth Streamers! 

tablecloth streamers by a party table

I LOVE using these streamers to decorate. These are really light and easy to hang with a little bit of washi or masking tape. They are a great way to make a party look festive without much effort which is awesome!

I used mostly white on the wall above with just pops of bright orange. Because plastic tablecloths come in so many colors and patterns, you can make these work for any party color scheme. 

These plastic party streamers add a little bit of texture which I love. And they don’t show flaws!

If you tear one a little too much, no one can see it! Unless they were inspecting each inch of each streamer. Which would be odd. And you should probably ask them to leave your party.

How to Make plastic party streamers

I have a small bin of party supplies that I keep in the garage and there are always a few plastic tablecloths in there. These ruffles can be made quickly so they’re great for last-minute celebrations (like when they spring teacher appreciation decorating on you the night before…)

The cost for making tablecloth streamers is really low. Each plastic tablecloth costs around $2.50 . I’m not sure exactly how many garlands you can get out of one tablecloth. Here is my estimate: a bunch, ok I’d guess about 15 depending on the width you cut them. 

How to Make Party Streamers from Plastic Tablecloths

Supplies:

Ok, you don’t HAVE to have a rotary cutter I guess but it sure makes it super easy. In the video above, I used scissors and it worked fine. There’s no need to make a super straight line since the edges will be ruffled.

But if you are super type-A, especially when it comes to crafts, use the rotary cutter.  


plastic tablecloth streamers
 
I’m so glad that people started to make patterned plastic tablecloths! For years I thought about how cute these ruffled streamers would be when done in a pattern.
 
Then a few companies came out with patterned tablecloths but the middle of the cloth was still white. Finally, they’ve figured out to make the whole tablecloth a pattern. Amen.
 
Instructions:
  • Do not unfold the tablecloth once you take it out of the package.
  • Find the side with the free ends of the tablecloth, not the fold, and cut a strip approximately 2″ wide. 
  • Cut as many strips as you want/need.

By leaving the tablecloth folded up, you are able to cut through multiple layers at once. This means you will cut more ruffle strips at one time and be able to keep the edges relatively straight.

You should get a strip with two free edges but depending on how the tablecloth is folded, you may end up with a super wide strip with a fold in the middle. Just cut down the fold to make two separate strips. 

I make this sound so confusing, but I promise it’s so simple. Watch the video above if you haven’t already. I think it will help immensely! 
plastic streamers step 1
 
  • Separate the strips that you cut so you’re working with 1-2 strips at a time. 
  • Fold the strip/s in half so you have several layers of plastic to warp at once. 
  • Start at one end of the strip and hold the side edge of the plastic in both hands, between your thumb and pointer fingers
  • The warping motion is kind of two motions in one, you’ll pull your thumbs gently away from each other while at the same time rolling your pointer fingers toward your body and up. (see video)
  • Continue down the length of the plastic strips until the whole side is ruffled.
  • Then flip it over and do the other side.

You can make the ruffles with a single piece of plastic but it is much easier to rip through. But it also doesn’t require quite as much effort to make the plastic warp. 

I tried this with 4 layers of plastic and you have to pull pretty hard. I wouldn’t do more than 4 layers at once. I prefer to do 2 layers, but you still can tear it pretty easily. 

If you do several layers of plastic at once, it works best to keep the strip close to a table so it stays in line and you don’t have to stop and keep readjusting it. When I made the video, I was hovering above a table and it was hard to keep it controlled. 

But this might just be the world’s most forgiving DIY party decoration so you really don’t’ need to worry about doing anything wrong. 

plastic party streamers
 
Also, you WILL tear the plastic a few times. As long as you haven’t torn it clear through to the other side, you don’t need to worry about it. The tears kind of look like ruffles too so they blend in easily.
 
I wouldn’t point the tears out to my party guests but I would totally use the garland.
 
If it does tear all the way through, you can easily knot the two pieces together. I just trimmed the ends of the knots down so they didn’t stick out and it blended right in with the rest of the plastic streamers. 

If you make a ton of these, just know you may give yourself a blister…

But they go away pretty quickly. And what is a little pain for the cutest party streamers ever? ;)

ruffled streamers from plastic tableclothsI made these plastic tablecloth streamers when my husband was out of the house. When he got home he thought they were really cool but commented on how they must have been too time-consuming.

While they did take a few minutes, they were SO easy to make that I didn’t mind the time at all. 

And this is one of those party projects you could easily do while watching TV. 

how to decorate with plastic streamers

I hung a few of the finished plastic party streamers up, along with my easy knotted yarn garland, for a quick party look so you can see how fun they are. 

plastic streamers on a wall for party decorations

Because these are made from plastic tablecloths, they are perfect for outdoor parties! And they absolutely won’t fall apart in a little moisture like paper streamers would.

When I used this outside, I put them up with a staple gun. Inside, just a little tape is all you need! 

Decorating with Plastic Tablecloth Streamers

Ruffled streamers out of plastic tablecloths or trashbags
I also wanted to see if you could make this DIY with trash bags. And you totally can! Black utility trash bags are a little bit shiny which adds a nice touch and they ruffle really easily! They look really cool!
I think what I like most about the idea of using a plastic tablecloth to make really cheap, really cute party streamers is that you can make a ton for next to nothing. They would also be cute as a photobooth backdrop. 

While it does take some of your time to make them, they make a huge impact. That’s a win in my book.

I’ve had people email me and tell me they used the plastic streamers as a seaweed garland for an underwater theme. And I’ve seen people use them as vines in a jungle party.

Need 243 more ideas for using plastic tablecloths to decorate your party? Check out this awesome pinterest board! There are so many amazing things you can make for parties!

This ruffle technique also works on the edge of a full tablecloth creating a super girly, ruffly look. 

Making DIY ruffled streamers from plastic tablecloths is the easiest thing in the world! 


 

More easy party DIYs

Pin These Plastic Streamers for Later

how to make plastic party streamers

Making plastic tablecloth streamers is SUCH a good idea! They’re super easy, totally inexpensive and can make a huge impact on your party decor! And I guarantee your party guests will ask you about them! 

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Comments

  1. 51

    I used this tutorial to make my daughter’s jellyfish costume by hanging these from an umbrella. Thanks so much for posting, it turned out perfect and saved me alot of $ instead of buying expensive ribbon!

    Reply
  2. 53

    I made these in purple for a 50th birthday party. Everyone loved them and wanted to know where I bought them! I had the blisters to prove that they were homemade though. Thank you for the tutorial.

    Reply
  3. 56

    I just found your site and I’m in LOVE with these ruffled table cloth streamers!! I’m just a little confused as to how you actually get the ruffle part? Do you get the ruffle by ripping the tablecloth or by pinching the edge of the tablecloth and pulling the tablecloth through your pinched finger and thumb? Thanks again for sharing this!!

    Reply
    • 57

      Hi! Yes, these streamers are pretty awesome! To get the plastic to “ruffle” you basically need to stretch it out. To do that, hold a strip of table clothe between your thumb and the side pointer finger with your left hand (thumbs facing up to the ceiling, pointer finger kind of curved). Hold the same strip with your right thumb and pointer finger almost touching your left hand. Then gently pull your hands away from each other, stretching the plastic. Does that make sense?? I need to have my husband help me take a photo of this step so it’s easier to understand!!!

      Reply
  5. 61

    These would be great to use at Young Women Camp since we always get at least a little bit of rain or dew in the morning that ruins anything paper. Thanks for sharing a great idea!

    Reply
  6. 63

    Wow!!! We are planning on making giant pumpkins for our school hallway, and these would be PERFECT for the pumpkin vines!! Thank you for sharing your idea!!

    Reply
  7. 64

    I think you get mother of the year because your son is wearing a Ramones t-shirt! I named my dog Blitzkrieg after Blitzkrieg Bop :)

    Reply
  8. 65

    This is such a great idea! Thanks for sharing! I just ruffled a pink cloth for my daughter's 3rd birthday party. I've got a darker pink cloth that I'm going to (somehow) turn into a runner/overlay. This is such a great idea!

    Reply
  9. 66

    Thanks MeganM! I have to be honest. I'm a very lazy crafter and only tried this once before I did the tutorial, never expecting people to be SO in to them. :) I need to update the post as, I too, found it better to double up the tablecloth. Thanks for sharing! I'd love to see pictures…
    Sharon

    Reply
  10. 67

    I have been making these for my son's 1st bday party and for a bridal shower that I am hosting. After a few trial and errors and I found that if you just unfold the table cloth twice and then do your stretching/pulling of the table cloth to make the ruffles you will be less likely to rip the plastic. It also just seems to look better, but that maybe be just my opinion. It take a LOT LESS time this way too so it is at least worth a try! LOVE them!

    Reply
  11. 68

    ADORABLENESS!!!!
    I need to run not walk out to get plastic tablecloths now! No, I'm not having a party, I just HAVE to try this!
    Thanks!

    Reply
  14. 71

    Okay, I LOVE this and can't wait to try it!! It is a great tutorial, despite what you might think. Just found your blog & love it & your fun writing style!

    Reply
  18. 75

    What a cute idea, especially for kids parties when you are trying to cut cost! By the way what happened to our Sunny CA. I can't believe this is our state! Happy Easter Marilou

    Reply
  20. 77

    Adorable and thrifty!! This is genius and I love it :) I am definately using this idea in the future! Thanks so much for a fun, new tutorial :)

    Reply
  21. 78

    Those are so pretty…I am simply amazed. Oh, and yeah – "These would be so great for anywhere that is windy or has lots of moisture in the air." aka they would be perfect in my lovely HOUSTON!!!!! Thanks for this…my Under the Sea Party just got a whole lot more fabulous.

    Reply
  22. 79

    Out of the simplest things comes pure genius! I would never have guessed what these were made of and I thought it would be super complicated. Not so much! That's the genius part! I love this idea. Thank you from the bottom of my ruffled heart.

    Reply
  23. 80

    Out of the simplest things comes pure genius! I would never have guessed what these were made of and I thought it would be super complicated. Not so much! That's the genius part! I love this idea. Thank you from the bottom of my ruffled heart.

    Reply
  27. 84

    Really fun idea. I'm not a big fan of the regular ol' crepe paper streamers, but has a friend who uses them for everything. Perhaps I can convert her with this tutorial!
    And I agree… so cute and girly!

    Reply
  29. 86

    These are so cool…think I will have to make some for the little girl's party in may. I also like the way you ruffled the actual table clothe

    Reply
  30. 87

    Got here via UCreate. What a great idea and so easy! I really like the way you did the bottom of the tablecloth…adds a perfect touch of softness. Great job! Hope your warm weather is back.

    Reply
  32. 89

    This is so awesome. I can't wait for my daughter's baptism party in a few months – I'm totally going to try this!!

    Reply
  33. 90

    I save a lot of my party table cloths…just i case. Now you've given me a great repurpose idea. Thank!

    Reply
  34. 91

    this is genius. I love that this is so easy to do and there are tons of plastic tablecloth options out there…so many possibilities!

    Love your blog, by the way – so happy to have found it!

    Reply
  35. 92

    Oh, how happy this makes me! I was just thinking the other day about making giant ruffle "streamers" out of these table cloths. This would be so much easier, though! Thanks so much for the idea! :o)

    Reply
  36. 93

    This is such an awesome idea! Easy but super cute and only up close would you even begin to guess that it's a plastic tablecloth. :)

    Reply
  40. 97

    Oh my goodness I love this! Very pretty!

    I am so glad I came across your blog! I am loving it.

    You have a new follower :)

    Reply
  46. 103

    those are sooo cute! i love that they are easy and quick — two of my favorite things, since i do all my projects during naptime too :) will def have to remember these for my next party.

    and as a native southern californian, i have to laugh at your aversion to cold…54 DOES sound pretty cold to me, but i'm currently living in utah and freezing my butt off in 30 degree weather so i really miss being a weather snob :)

    Reply

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xo Sharon