Fourth of July DIY: An Easy-Breezy Blueberry-Inspired Tablecloth by David Stark

Here’s a DIY tablecloth for Fourth of July that’s so easy that truly anyone—from kindergarteners to the arts-and-crafts-averse—can make it. Perhaps best of all? It’s blessedly understated, which means it can have a life well after the fireworks are over.

You don’t need any tools (just a couple new pencils, a box, fabric, and some paint) to make this blueberries-inspired DIY tablecloth. Why blueberries? Aside from the apple, is there a more American fruit? Besides, “July is prime time for this seasonal fruit. Why not give it the 15 minutes of fame it deserves?” says David Stark, our go-to expert for event design and the mastermind behind this clever project.

Below, the three-step instructions for crafting this exceedingly easy DIY. Note: While David and his team opted to make a tablecloth, you can just as easily fashion placemats, a picnic blanket, or a butcher-paper runner using the same method.

Photography by Corrie Hogg and Susie Montagna for David Stark Design.

The Materials

July 4th Blueberry Tablecloth DIY by David Stark Above: Martha Stewart Crafts has 41 shades of Acrylic Craft Paints; $2.39 each at Michael’s.
  • Acrylic paint, in brown and two shades of blue
  • Fabric or paper
  • Pencils with new erasers
  • Small paint brush
  • Small box or box lid

Step 1

July 4th Blueberry Tablecloth DIY by David Stark Above: Use a small brush to trace the box or lid onto the fabric with brown paint. Repeat to create the scattered farmer’s market pattern as we have.

Step 2

July 4th Blueberry Tablecloth DIY by David Stark Above: Fill your baskets with tiny blueberries in two shades of blue! Simply dip the eraser into the paint and stamp it onto your fabric.

Step 3

July 4th Blueberry Tablecloth DIY by David Stark Above: Allow to dry, set your table, and have fun!

The Results

July 4th Blueberry Tablecloth DIY by David Stark Above: The finished product. White and blue dishes and serving ware complement the theme. The napkins are vintage bandanas from M.Patmos.
Above: On the menu? Fresh blueberries and blueberry pie, of course.
July 4th Blueberry Tablecloth DIY by David Stark Above: If you don’t want to go the DIY route, you can still channel the blueberry theme via a blue and white palette. A Blueberry Pie from Four & Twenty Blackbirds in Brooklyn sits in an Enamelware Pie Plate from Barn Light Electric Company.

For more July 4th decoration ideas, see: