Despite the cooler than average temperatures this spring, I am already dreaming of summer entertaining. We (or perhaps I should say my DH) has been busy in the garden this week getting rid of the winter weeds. We are planning on spreading some mulch and planting some seedlings over the next week or two. One of the disadvantages of eating outdoors is the pesky flies that seem to be able to search out food within a 5 km radius. I remember my Mother and Grandmother used to have net throws that they would use to cover the food – practical and pretty!
With this in mind, I have made up a Weighted Food Cover (we live in a windy coastal suburb) for our next BBQ.
To make it, I used a 90 cm square of coloured net, and used four strips of cotton fabric (6 inch wide) to bind each side. I slipped two zinc metal washers into each corner to act as a weight.
I made it to match some coasters and place mats I made last summer out of linen and Farmers Market fabric. I think that these could make fun Christmas gifts.
Last night, Sarah and I went to see Julie and Julia. It was a great movie about cooking and blogging – two of our favourite things! I am now dreaming of some French inspired meals to serve alfresco. If only the weather would warm up!!
Posted by Lisa
A must for sure living in Australia. I must admit I don’t miss the flies. Such a pretty variation on those old store bought uglies.
Your cover looks great,practical and pretty ! I really can’t do without mine .
A great idea for the food cover!
I hope to see Julie and Julia soon too.
HEY! That’s my favourite fabric! LOL, well, one of my favourites 🙂 I’m using it in my Little Bluebirds quilt. Love what you’ve done with it, and happy to hear you are gearing up for Summer!
What a great idea – looks so pretty!
Lisa, that is such a beautiful net throw. What a great idea … and so much nicer than the boring sort you could buy in the shops!
What a good idea, Lisa!!!
Great idea – can’t wait to see that movie!
Lisa, what a pretty (and practical) idea!! I bet this would fit Jenny of Elefantz’s challenge for the month!!…but why wait till summer…any ol’ day would suit alfresco….just rug up!! (I can say that, it’s 30 degrees constantly here in NQ!)
‘o) Wendy B
Lisa i really love that net, what a wonderful idea, i would never have thought to make my own and what a great christmas gift it would be.
I want to go and see that movie and mentioned it to my DH and he just looked at me…mmm I will have to find someone else to go with.
xx Linda
Very Pretty, and a wonderful idea, never thought of coloured net before! duh!. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Sarah and Lisa, lovely throw and coaster’s.I think our Mothers and Nanna’s had some great,practical idea’s.I have a vintage one, that I bought some years back….Warm Regards Lyn Ps I was wondering what the movie would be like, so it is a must see.
what a great idea and lovely colours too.
we, up the northern hemisphere, are getting ready for autumn and winter.
That is very pretty, I like the colours!
A great modern take on those old net covers! I think it looks great especially with all the matching accessories!!
What a fantastic idea! Love those coasters…you are so clever! Lisa
So much prettier than the ugly store bought food covers…
and the word verification is PRETIO
What a great idea for an outdoor dining area. I’ve got some throw-overs but love your idea of the weights in the corners. It all looks so bright and summery. Bring on the warm weather.
wow…awesome…very practical and pretty too
Great idea and it looks great! Now you are all ready for the summer days, I can’t wait.:)
your food cover looks fantastic, you’ve made it look ultra easy too.. i always look at them in the shops and think, but its not very pretty. maybe i can will be inspired to make my own now!
thanks for stopping by and visiting too btw
Ah, that way you make a net look very fancy! I’ve heard people going to Julie and Julia and loving it! Hope it will be here soon too.
I have been using this exact fabric to make a quilt! Did you buy the red with pink on it recently? I would like to buy enought to bind this quilt I’ve done. I thought I found it online, but when it arrived it was the pink on pink instead!
Excellent throw notion! Particularly since the kids have taken to nicking off with my food covers, using them to CATCH bugs (probably flies)…
Love the idea of the food cover being weighted – and it looks beautiful too.
Clever idea! I love how everything coordinates together.
just gorgeous, love the pink!
This is such a great idea for eating outside! I love the fabric you used as the binding too. Looks great with your set. (It’s fun to read about you getting ready for spring when we in the upper US are getting ready for winter.)
I love that food cover – so clever!
I loved Julie and Julia too. It’s such a shame Julia didn’t react so positively to Julie’s project.
What a wonderfully clever idea and the colors are perfect. Where did you find the netting?
My daughter and I went along to see Julie and Julia, we both loved it too. What a great food cover and so pretty!
I love the fabric and i quite jealous we cant find those designs in my country 😉
Jolie, pratique Bravo!Bon appétit maintenant!;)
What a clever idea, Lisa! I will definitely be making one, or two….
Hugs,
Jenny
Thats an innovative idea, the Weighted Food Cover
We live in an area with all those pesky flies hanging around the horses in nearby paddocks. They nearly drive us insane in summer, so I will definitely be making one of these. The weights would be a good idea for mine too as our city is notoriously windy. Love your colours.
The cover and placemats are gorgeous! Enjoy using them. I am looking forward to seeing that movbie too!
What a fabulous idea and very pretty too-I must say flies sure are a pain. I am looking forward to seeing that movie too
Great idea and the fabrics definitely say “summer”
What a lucky duo you and Sarah are.
Love Renee xoxo
That is SO brilliant. Again, I wish I could sew. Sigh.
A great idea too!
What a great crafty and practical idea. They look fabulous. I wish we were heading into summer!
they’re wonderful! I’m sure they’ll be great Christmas gifts!
Really pretty and dainty!
It is always a joy to come here…always something new, beautiful surprises and just the best ideas! This is the prettiest way to keep the bugs away I’ve ever seen… and that it’s pink is bonus too–LOL! ;o) Your table decorating and textiles are just so pretty-FANTASTIC! Happy Summer days with family & friends ((HUGS))
Ooooh, so pretty. And what a great, practical idea!
What a geat project. Thhere is nothing worse than having uninvited guests at your backyard barbecue! I just loved Julie and Julis too! Didn’t it just want you to come home and make something with tons of butter in it!
x
What a fabulous and pretty solution to an old Aussie problem!
How cute is the throw and placemats. It would make a great xmas gift. Love your blog – full of lots of great ideas.
Hey, you are so clever. I love the fact that the fabric on the net matches you coasters and lovely fabric too.
Mary
I love the throw – it is gorgeous! I have a weighted one but its boring and plain. Now I feel inspired to make something prettier… great christmas gift idea too 🙂
What a clever idea – pretty and useful. Our problem isn’t so much the flies as the bees; I am happy to be heading into winter, as they have all gone away!
What a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing.
Hi there, I was wondering if you could tell me HOW you managed to keep the fabric on the net while sewing?! Would you do a tutorial on how to make this? Or just talk me through it on the phone or something? I’d love to make some of these!!
Thanks a ton.
Hi Lisa – I know a lot of time has gone by but, like USASioux I would LOVE a tutorial on how to make this pretty food cover. No matter where I Google, I cannot find out how to add a reversible edge like this – it’s how to get neat corners that stumps me!! PLEASE can you help? Many thanks.
Thanks Rona – That was an old project. I have a few things in the pipeline at the moment but may be able to write a pattern for it in the future.