Where to find Mexican tablecloths?

Any help would be appreciated... I'm looking for an authentic-looking Mexican tablecloth (something like this: http://www.finecraftsimports.com/products/mexican_tablecloth.asp?pid=70714-71) for a Mexican-themed party I'm throwing in four days.

I thought I could find a nice tablecloth in the stores catering to Mexican immigrants on Clark, south of Howard, but I couldn't find anything even closely resembling traditional tablecloths. I've also tried the Maxwell Street Market, as well as a couple of boutiques selling imported crafts in Evanston (La Casita Azul on Chicago Ave. and Ten Thousand Villages on Main St.) but to no avail.

I would be willing to travel anywhere in the Chicago area to find something like this. Any ideas?

You could try hitting some of the funky boutiques/thrift stores/dollar stores along 18th St., between Halsted and Ashland, but my guess is, most of the stuff you'll find will be more of the plastic tablecloth variety.

Have you tried Cost Plus World Market? They usually have the sort of festive faux ethnic stuff that's generic enough and may be closer to the colors you're looking for.

crrush wrote:You could try hitting some of the funky boutiques/thrift stores/dollar stores along 18th St., between Halsted and Ashland, but my guess is, most of the stuff you'll find will be more of the plastic tablecloth variety.

Have you tried Cost Plus World Market? They usually have the sort of festive faux ethnic stuff that's generic enough and may be closer to the colors you're looking for.

Thanks for the tips!

I haven't tried World Market, but that sounds like a great idea (and there is one right here in Evanston). I'll make a trip there this afternoon.

Yeah, I was thinking about the Pilsen area, although all I found at similar stores on Clark St. was the plastic tablecloth variety. But I'll give it a try if I don't find anything else.

You could also get some raw fabric and do a simple hem around the edges. Vogue Fabrics in Evanston would be a good place to get stuff like this.

When I was searching for Talavera, a very helpful LTHer (thank you, Amata!) pointed me to a wonderful store called Artesanias D'Mexico. I don't know for sure that they have tablecloths, but it's worth a visit to the store to find out anyway.

Artesanias D'Mexico
1644 W 18th St
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 563-9779

Another place to check would be the gift shop in the Mexican Fine Arts museum, where they have quite a bit of stuff - not even vaguely convenient to Evanston, but you could call ahead and find out if they have them. They have a fabulous selection of Calaveras Catrinas.

National Museum of Mexican Arts Gift Shop
312-738-1503
1852 W. 19th Street
Chicago , IL 60608

Artesanias D'Mexico does have tablecloths. It's a wonderful store, run by a lady who makes frequent trips to Mexico and brings back remarkable stuff. Real Mexican handiwork, not Chinese knock-offs.