Oilcloth can be used to make shopping bags and I use it for tableclothe. Infact I bought 2.5m yesterday as a tablecloth (I have a big dining table) It is sometimes difficult to sew. Its good for a tablecloth as its easy to wipe clean

I Googled it Loralye Old oilcloth was Cloth coated with linseed oil which was used for seamen and fisherman coats and the such which were semi waterproof . From the 1950 it was made from PVC. Vynal coated flannel from which they make waterproof tablecloths .Hugs Joyce

As a child, I remember having oilcloth table cloths. They had a linen or flannel backing with a shiny plastic coating on top to make it waterproof.

they make great bags and outside table runners etc. I belive you can still bye it by the yard at most wal-mart stores

Oilcloth was cloth treated with oil or paint and use to be used a lot for tablecloths in the kitchen. They were water proof. Nice linens were used for Dining rm and these were in kitchen. It was also used for other things that they to be protected from water spills. My grandmother had a red checked one on the tbl in kitchen. I also remember some aprons made from the oilcloth. it can still be purchased today because I have seen it/Lillian

wow I never knew this thanks ladies great information today! Hugs Loralye

Hi, I have just bought a remnant of red and white checked light weight oil cloth that is backed with
flannel. I would like to make a bapron out of it. My
question is can I embroider on it or would you not
reccomend doing so. I plan to put a piece of flannel
on the back. Thanks Maureen

I have heard on Sewing with nancy you need a special foot for sewing on this. I would probably use a piece of interfacing since I don't have a foot like that. Think it is worth a try on a piece of scrap don't you?

I know some coats people use when they are sailing, they are apropriate because they are waterproof, and as Lilian as said, these material protect´s against water splitts. Some kind of thin rubbermaterial.

You can make your own by using linseed oil and sturdy cloth like Duck or you can buy Iron-On Vinyl to use with your favorite fabric in a project.
I use it for many projects including aprons. I use a longer stitch since you are sewing on vinyl. A teflon foot is nice if you can afford one.

You can embroider on it and it comes in lots of bright pretty colors. A lot of it is made in Mexico and it has some sort of chemical in it harmful to children. Here is what I found about it:
The recent Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) prohibits oilcloth garments such as bibs and aprons or toys for children under age 12. This is due to the level of phthalates (a softener present in all vinyl) in the PVC vinyl of which oilcloth is made.

So no bibs or toys,just to be safe
Bev

here is where I bought mine and there is a sale going on

I might try this as an alternative waterproof fabric for projects intented for use with children. Many waterproof fabrics have health risks. This one appears to be safe but be sure to do your own research.

my Girl scout troop used it for sit up-ons. (Stadium cushions)I also used it as a tablecloth for a small kitchen table, made a poncho,for a picnic cloth,Book covers,tote bags, great as bibs.Always great for the car as an emergency cloth, or for preventing damage from soil/fertilizer bags.Great as a mat. I was not aware of any health warnings on them,

it is basicly a laminated fabric