Pole & Drape Question, Tablecover Question

Hi Everyone,

Dh and I are setting out to make a pole and drape thing for our booth. Dh is already pretty handy and has come up with the way he wants to do the poles to have as little as possible to put together during set up. It will be sturdy though, no problem with that.

My question is this ... for those who have done this, what type of fabric do you recommend and why? If there is something that did NOT work, why was it a poor choice? I don't have much skill in the form of sewing, even a straight hem. I will send it out to be hemmed to someone who does sewing for a living.

When we started 1 1/2 years ago we started with flat sheets as our table covers. They are at a point they need replacing. We want to go with commercial table covers in either black or chocolate brown. We need a dark color to contrast my products which are all lightcolered, travertine tile. I have looked on Amazon at tables covers and have read reviews. The review vary wildly from a "1" where people say they will never buy XX brand again EVER and that it was a horrible product to "5" where people review the exact same brand as the best thing since sliced bread.

How do you go about picking out something when the reviews are so varied? I do not expect a product of any kind to get all 5's. However when the reviews run the gamut and there are literally 100s of reviews, how do you sort it out?

Can y'all tell me what table covers have or have not worked for y'all and why?

Thanks!

Replies

Rich Terry August 13, 2014 at 5:16pm

I carry about 30 drape panels with me in a tote which I made from Ponte double knit polyester. They never wrinkle and wash and dry very well. Just pull them out of the tote and they look like new every time. If you wait until it is NOT on sale and find a JoAnn's 50% coupon it is very economical.
- Cindy Welch > Rich Terry August 13, 2014 at 5:25pm
  
  Thirty drape panels? I am curious how big your booth is.
  - Rich Terry > Cindy Welch August 14, 2014 at 11:55pm
    
    My booth at indoor shows is generally 10x20 or 10x22 and I have a couple of walls in the middle that I drape too. The material is 54" wide finished and I like them to pleat and drape properly so each panel only covers about 28". Plus when I am on tour you need a few extras if some get dirty during set up and tear down. I always sacrifice about 4" of booth space on every side to make sure they pleat. On ocassion I will have neighbor put their stuff right up againt my grids and I have no problem making them move thier stuff. I make sure my drapes are in my space and people tend to try to take advantage of it.
    - Rich Terry > Rich Terry August 14, 2014 at 11:58pm
      
      Here's a pic. This is a strange size booth 6' deep but 28' long. I sacrifie depth at this show but I probably have the best location at this show so I work around it.
      image.jpg
      - Cindy Welch > Rich Terry August 15, 2014 at 12:09pm
        
        Cool booth. What kind of lights do you use ... halogen, or other? Are they cool burning or are they hot? We will do lighting as we get the money for it.
        
        Rich Terry > Cindy Welch August 15, 2014 at 12:37pm
        
        As Larry Berman would say, don't use your iPad or phone for pictures as this one was.
        
        Cindy Welch > Rich Terry August 15, 2014 at 1:48pm
        
        see my as i do my best cheesy grin?
        
        Rich Terry > Cindy Welch August 15, 2014 at 12:35pm
        
        The fixtures are the El-cheapo walmart $8.99 clip on lamps. I cannot remember the technical data on the bulbs but they are the expensive true daylight bulbs used for photobraphy. I kept the boxes with molded foam inserts for them so when I tear down the bulbs come out of the fixtures and go back in their packaging. I do use the cheap CFL bulbs though when I am doing an outdoor show.
        
        Cindy Welch > Rich Terry August 15, 2014 at 1:47pm
        
        thanks for the info. will hold on to that.
Tina Pietsch August 13, 2014 at 12:10pm

If you are wanting this setup for indoor shows, many require you use flame retardant curtain/table covers, which typically means purchasing already made.

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