BUT, I really wanted to turn this pretty, pretty fabric into a tablecloth for when my various guests arrive and I did manage to sew it up in 1 3/4 hours on Christmas Eve.
One piece I left whole and the other I cut 9" strips along each edge, which I will sew to the edges of the whole piece to get the 56" width after it is hemmed. I want the seams off to the sides, that is why I will sew two narrow pieces on either side of the main full width piece. This will leave me with enough fabric from the center of the cut piece for 6 napkins ... not sure when they will happen.
I still have more holiday guests to arrive!