Pull a Tablecloth from Under a Place Setting



Anybody can yank a tablecloth out from under a table setting. The only hard part is cleaning up all the broken dishes on the floor. Do you want to amaze your friends, impress the object of your romantic attention, and keep dishes intact? Follow these steps to become the star of your next dinner party.

Steps

  1. Set up the trick.
    • Make sure the tablecloth is flat on the table and free of wrinkles.
    • The tablecloth should be flush with the end opposite that from which you will be pulling (the cloth should not overhang the table along that edge).
    • Let the tablecloth hang well over the edge from which you will be pulling.
  2. Arrange dishes on the table. Begin with just one Make a Picture Frame Plate or bowl right in the middle of the table. Once you master this, add more dishes and arrange some of them closer to the table's edges until you are prepared to do the trick with a real table setting.
  3. Put something in the dishes. If the dishes are too light, the trick will be hard to perform. This is especially a problem with plastic dishes. Usually, however, dishes have something in or on them at the table, so this isn't a problem. If you're practicing, put some fruit in the dishes, as this minimizes any spillage problem.
  4. Grasp the tablecloth with both hands. Position yourself so that you are at about the midpoint of the edge of the tablecloth you'll be pulling.
  5. Bunch the tablecloth up to the table's edge. If you've laid the tablecloth correctly, you'll have plenty of cloth draped over the edge of the table from which you'll be pulling. Use your hands to bunch this excess cloth up until you reach the edge of the table.
  6. Yank the tablecloth downwards and step back from the table. Very quickly pull the tablecloth straight toward the floor. As you are doing so, smoothly step back from the table, but do not pull the tablecloth outward.
  7. Finish with a flourish to make your performance look even more impressive.

Tips

  • This trick is relatively easy to learn, but you'll still need practice to "pull it off" correctly. Practice with plastic dishes so that you won't break them if things don't go quite right the first few times.
  • Don't use a tablecloth with a hem as it will catch onto the objects on the table (plates, glasses, ...etc.).
  • If you are using a glass or cup on the table, fill the glass with water. The more mass (heavier) an object has, the more likely it will stay where it is. Plus it looks good when you don't even tip over the water!
  • A tall object, such as a vase or centerpiece, can be added to make the trick especially impressive. It's best to place such objects near the table edge opposite that from which you will pull, as this minimizes the length of cloth which travels under the difficult object.
  • Try to find a tablecloth without a sewed edge. You can buy material at the fabric store to use as a tablecloth, or just cut off the sewed edge on one that you already have. The raised edge may create more turbulence as it passes underneath everything.

Warnings

  • Do not pull the tablecloth outward or upward, as this will cause the dishes to move with it.
  • Think twice about pulling a tablecloth from beneath dishes containing liquids such as beverages, stews, or soups. Even if the dishes remain on the table, you might spill some of the contents.
  • Wear protection glasses. Dishes or glasses may break and hurt you.

Things You'll Need

  • A smooth table with sharp edges
  • A soft, seamless tablecloth
  • Plastic dishes (for practice)
  • Breakable dishes (for the show)
  • Silverware
  • A vase or centerpiece

Related Articles

Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Pull_a_Tablecloth_from_Under_a_Place_Setting&oldid=275683"