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Creative Holiday Burlap Ribbon Table Runner and Placemats (No-Sew DIY Project)

   
Today we will be making a Burlap Table Runner and Placemats.  This project is a “no-sew” project and is quite simple to do.  So, lets get started.

Materials Needed:

Burlap (yardage depends on size and quantity)
Wood Skewers (or some other pointed object)
Grosgrain Ribbon
Fray Check
Stitch Witchery

There are many aspects of these two projects that really just depend on your preference.  You can certainly change it up a bit, but for this tutorial, we will refer to the measurements and design used for ours.  We decided that we would use Natural Burlap color for our Table Runner and Red Burlap for our Placemats.

Table Runner:

First, we cut our table runner 18” X 84”.  We used the “pull a thread” method to get straight cuts. Note:  you can review the “pull a thread” method in our Plaid Burlap post).  We then added fray check around all sides of the runner to prevent raveling.  We then determined that we waned to have our woven ribbon three inches from the edge, so measured in three inches from each edge and marked it. 

We marked the width of the ribbon and then began lifting the vertical threads with the skewer and removing all of them within marked space .

Because our table runner was somewhat long, it was a bit more difficult to pull the threads.  Therefore, we decided to clip the threads in the center of the runner and just pull the threads from both ends which meant that the threads only had to be pulled half the distance.

Once all the threads are removed, it will look like this.

Now, repeat the process on the other side of the runner.

Next, you will need to weave your ribbon into the runner.  We chose to weave ours approximately four inches apart and to weave through three threads each time.  Note:  Using a safety pin on the ribbon will make it easier to weave through.

Once you have woven your ribbon border into both sides, it is time to “fringe the edges”.  Simply remove a few threads (we removed 5 ) on all four sides to create the fringed edge.  Next, you will use stitchery to fold and seal the ribbon on each end.   Note:  the fray check should be dry by now and will serve to keep the sides from unraveling.

Placemats:

We cut our placemats 16” X 23”.  Again,  we “pulled a thread” to create our cut lines.  We then applied fray check to all four sides of the placemat.  Next, we determined that we wanted to create our “banding” two inches in from the placemat edges on all four sides.  So, we measured the two inches and pulled/removed three threads on each of the four sides by first lifting them with the skewer and then pulling them out. 

 

Once the threads are pulled on all four sides, the placemat will look like this.

Next, using the natural burlap threads that we just remove from the table runner, we began weaving three strands into the placemat on each
side.  You can weave these threads using any pattern of your preference.

We then removed threads from each side to create the friged edge as you see here.

And the finished product will look something like this.

Project Notes:

- Remember to Fray Check your edges so that they don’t ravel away.
- Determine your weaving pattern before you start so that they will be 
   balanced.

Don’t forget to stop by Details to pick up your Burlap and get started on your next Burlap Project!

Plaid Burlap…..Placemats

    We obviously work with a lot of fabric in the workroom at Details!!!  In our experience with fabric, we have learned, as many of you might already know, that the best way to cut silk evenly is to pull a thread to create a cut line.  As it turns out, that is also a great method when working with Burlap!  Pulling a thread is simple.  Just start at the edge, lift a “thread” in the burlap where you want your “cut line” to be, and then pull it completely out.  It will leave a straight line all the way across the fabric to serve as your cutting line!  Now, lets apply this method to today’s DIY Burlap Project!

Materials Needed:

- Burlap (yardage depends on number of placemats)

- Skewer or other Pointed Object

- Scissors

- Fray Check

Today, we are doing  a “no-sew” project that is super easy!  We are making a “plaid” placemat, well, sort of….. 

The plaid pattern is created by removing threads.

So, lets get started!

First, determine the size you want your placemats to be and how many you need.  (We cut ours approximately 16” X  21”) Next, cut burlap pieces that will be used as your placemats.  Note:  We suggest using the “pull a thread method” to create your cut lines in order to keep your placemats even/straight.  Once you have them cut, apply fray check around the edges so that the placemats won’t ravel.  We determined we wanted an even pattern so, we began by marking our “plaid lines” on the short side of the mat (16”).  We marked three lines 4” apart.  So our spacing was simple….(4, 4, 4, 4). 

Starting at first pin marking a plaid line, we lifted a thread with our skewer and pulled a thread.  Note:  When pulling the thread, hold the opposite side of the burlap/placemat to make the removal easier.  If the thread breaks, just find the point where it broke and using the skewer, lift the thread again and continue the removal.  This process is VERY EASY.  They really just pull right out in most cases. 

We chose to remove five threads at each pin.  (the one even with the pin and two more on either side of it).  Continue this process until you have removed the threads at each pinned/marked point.

Next, we marked the “plaid” lines on the longest side (21”) of the mat 4” apart with  4.5” left on each outside.  So our our spacing looked like this…(4.5, 4, 4 ,4 , 4.5).  Again, we marked the lines with pins. 

Then, we repeated the same process by removing five threads at each pin.  Note:  There will be no threads left at the points where each line intersects and that is to be expected. 

Now, your placemat should look like this.

Note:  We tied the napkins with the strings that we removed.

We chose to cut another burlap mat to go underneath our “plaid” placemat for contrast.  We like this look because you can see the color peeking through the “plaid lines”. (Note:  the orange mat shown was cut at 18” X 23”.  Remember to fray check the edges).

Then, we decided to change it up a bit…..

We really love this project because it is so easy and extremely versatile.  Be creative with your plaid patterns.  You are limited only by your imagination!  Please continue sending us your comments and pictures of your creations!  We love them all!!!

Enjoy!!!

Project Notes:

- Remember to use Fray Check as the Burlap will ravel.

Don’t forget to stop by Details to pick up your Burlap and get started!

Burlap Message Board

     When we decided we wanted to put together a series of burlap tutorials for our customers,  we spent several weeks researching, creating new ideas, and revamping or tweaking existing ideas in order to present a nice of assortment of projects that we felt all our customers would enjoy tackling.  One of the items we came across was a great Burlap Message/Photo Board in one of our favorite mail-order catalogs, Ballard Design (pic below). 

While we absolutely love their board, we don’t love the price ($89.00).  So, we decided to create our own.  We are quite pleased with our finished project and think you just might like it too!

So, lets get started.

Materials Needed:
- Wood Framed Cork Board
- Burlap (1 yd for the board that we did, 1.25 yds if doing the applique)
- Upholstery Nail Heads
- Staple Gun & Scissors
-Stitch Witchery for Applique (optional)

To get started, we cut our burlap approximately 2” longer and wider than our cork board. Our cork board was 23” X 35” (the board from Ballard Designs was 20” X 33”) and our yard of burlap was 48” wide. 

So, we cut our burlap piece 27” X 39”.  To get a large enough cut, we simply used the width of the burlap to get the largest measurement (we got the 37” from the 48” width of the burlap). 

We centered our board (cork side down) over our burlap).  We didn’t want to have raw fabric edge on the back which is why we cut the burlap with an extra 2” allowance on all four sides.

Lay the board/burlap on a flat surface.  Starting with the center edge of one of the longest sides, “double fold” the excess burlap, and staple it to the wood framed edge (on the back).  Turn the board and do the same thing on the other (long) side only this time, make sure the burlap is pulled taut (but not stretched out of proportion) before stapling.  Repeat this same step on the two shorter sides again, making sure the burlap is taut.

Next, continue stapling each side starting from the center staple and working your way out on each side stopping just before you get to each corner (see pic). 

To do the corners, fold the burlap “point” down.

Fold the center point a second time, and staple.

Fold in the right “edge” and staple.

Fold in the left “edge” and staple.

Add a staple to secure and to flatten the “bulk” of the fabric.

Repeat on the other three corners, flip the board over, and you are now ready to add the upholstery nail heads.

As for the nail heads, you can use any size that you choose.  We used some that we had left from a previous project.  They were originally gold in color, so we painted them a dark bronze color.  Note:  a quick, easy way to paint nail heads is to stick them in styrofoam and spray them.  (Leave the plastic wrap on the styrofoam because the paint will damage it). 

Determine your desired placement for the nail heads.  We decided that we wanted ten on each long side (counting both corners) and four on each end (obviously not including the corners this time) which equals twenty-eight and happens to be the same number that is on the Ballard Board. 

Mark where you want to place the nail heads and then insert them into the outer wood frame.  Ours inserted very easily so we inserted them by hand.  However, if yours happen to be difficult to insert,  use needle nose pliers to hold them in place and carefully tap them in with a rubber mallet being careful to not dent the head.

Continue inserting the nail heads making sure that they are evenly spaced and match the other side.  You now have a completed board!

We wanted to embellish our message/photo board a bit, but didn’t want it to be permanent.  Therefore, we decided to create a separate “applique” and apply it with nail heads.  To do this, we simply cut an additional burlap square about an inch longer and wider than we wanted the finished applique to be. 

We then stenciled a design of our choice (we actually did two) onto the center of the burlap.  You can purchase a stencil or do what we did and create your own by printing the letter or design of your choice from your computer, cut it out, and use it as your stencil.

We used Folk Art Burnt Umber to stencil and applied it with a foam brush.

Once it is dry, fold the outer raw edges of the burlap to the back and adhere using stitch witchery or any adhesive of your choice.  We don’t suggest a double fold as it will create a lot of bulk.   Now, just place the applique on your message/photo board in any area of your choice using additional nail heads. 



Enjoy! 

Project Notes:

- When stapling the burlap, make sure that it doesn't get off center causing it not to be straight thus not leaving enough to staple

to the back.

Note:   

This project is quick and easy!  It probably took us longer to write this blog post than it took to complete the Message Board!

*Don’t forget to stop by Details and pickup your Burlap and get your next project started.