If the border is ruffled you can gather or ease depending on how full a look you want. If you want a circle with an 8" border to lie flat you'll have to make a pattern. Since you mentioned a printed border I think you want a 'flat' look.

If the inner circle is 40" across the perimeter will measure 125.6". When you add an 8" border, the distance across becomes 58" and the perimeter is now 175.84". That is too much fabric to ease without wrinkles. That's also why circular skirts or sleeves don't have deep hems. What appears to be a deep hem is in all probability a facing cut seperately and sewn on..

To lie flat, I would think that the best band would be made from fabric cut on the bias, as is usually best with any circular item. Otherwise, you might want to add the band as a ruffle, as someone mentioned. bggs

Thanks so much glassquilt and bggs for replying. I don't think I want a ruffle (decor is rather modern)so perhaps I should forget the idea. What do you think it would look like if I fitted the band to the exact top as you would do for a boxed pillow?.

"What do you think it would look like if I fitted the band to the exact top as you would do for a boxed pillow?."
Not quite sure what you mean. Do you mean add it to the top of the skirt? Whether you add to the top or bottom, it needs to be cut in pieces, and shaped to the tablecloth, in order to lay flat and it would need to be cut either smaller or larger to match the diameter. Hope you understand, hard to explain. A very small band, say 1 or 2 inches might work for sewing a strip around, but it would still need to be cut on the bias, and with only 8" to work with, you wouldn't have enough. Your best bet would be to go to a fabric store and see if they have some similar looking fabric or one that would coordinate with your tablecloth.

Thanks everyone for the advice - great forum!. This is the first time I have been on this forum although I have used the kitchen one and other ones a lot over the years. I have plain fabric already which would contrast nicely so will play around with a bias strip of that.