Sunday, January 9, 2011

Working with Burlap

I recently made two burlap table runners and was excited to work with this fabric and see what I could do.  I thought if anyone wants to make a table runner I would blog a little about how unusual burlap is and maybe it will help you.  Right away I noticed this fabric stinks.  It smells like oil.  I had read on another blog that it was easy to wash so I gave that a try.   I cut out my runners and serged the edge with my overlock sewing machine.  I put the runners in the wash on delicate.  The lesson learned was to wash the whole yardage of burlap before you cut out your desired size of fabric.  They raveled about 1 1/2 inches into the fabric, even with the finished edge.

I finished and evened up the raw edges again and attached a ruffle of a nice shabby chic fabric to them.  They turned out really nice and will be durable as a finished runner, but I have read they are dry clean only.  (*See note about cleaning at end of post.) I had the sizes measured out and I didn't really notice any sizable shrinkage, maybe  because I washed in cold and drip dried.

You also need to closely inspect the burlap when choosing the piece for your project.  The blue runner I show here had a flaw in the weave.  This is the top of the runner.

When you turn it over there were pulls on the back side.  I kept this blue runner for my personal use so, I didn't mind the pull since it was not noticeable from the front.

I was pleased with the finished table runner.  I also learned a lot about working with burlap, it can be a tricky fabric to work with.

I made another table runner with a pink shabby chic fabric ruffle and it is for sale in my Etsy Shop. (It was washed and pressed.)
*One more note about cleaning- with dry clean only table runners I have had success by just spot treating it with Shout.  I just sprayed the spot with Shout and put the runner in open air to dry and when I went back to check it, the spot was gone.  (This was a cherry pie stain at Thanksgiving.)  (Blueberries come out with Hydrogen Peroxide, soaked overnight)
I will link this to:
Handmade Monday at Olga's Home and Garden Blog
Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage
Make It For Monday  at Cottage Instincts
Market Yourself Monday at Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Making the World Cuter at making the World Cuter 
Market Monday at Etsy Cottage Style
Made By You  at Skip to my Lou 
Tute {Yourself} Tuesday at Little Eme
Fabric Fun Thursday at Cheap Chic Home
Check out all of the great things going on at these blogs.

20 comments:

Angela McInnis said...

Great Job! I love burlap and use it often as table toppers. If you let it air out for several hours in the sunshine, it doesn't smell quite as "oily"!
Angela

http://amcinnisartworks.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

These are beautiful Sherry!

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Your runners look fabulous. I really like the cute vintage fabric on the end. Hugs, Marty

Bev said...

Your runners are lovely!

Burlap is definitely not an easy fabric to work with. I washed several yards at a time and when I opened the dryer, I had a huge, fuzzy, wrinkled mess. So when you said that you washed it, my first thought was: OH NO. :)

After my eyes stinging, fuzz everywhere and sneezing continuously, I made a runner, pillows to embroider and a tablecloth. But I love the finished look.

Blondie's Journal said...

I love the texture of burlap...I have a tablecloth and a couple of runners {that I did not make myself}. Thanks for the tips on keeping them clean.

XO,
Jane

Melanie Bacom said...

I made 20 brown burlap table runners for my son's wedding. It was a real mess. I had brown strings everywhere. The wedding turned out great and now I have a grandson. It was worth the strings and the smell.

xinex said...

Great job on the runners, Sherry, and I love your table!...Christine

High Street Cottage said...

Hello, stopping over from Boogieboard Cottage's link party to say your table runners are fantastic! I have recently been teaching myself to sew and felt that a table runner is a good place to start. (beginner's project me thinks)
I have my ruffles ready and just need to sort the threading lol. Yours look amazing, thank you for sharing and some of my favorite florals too! xoxo tami

Heaven's Walk said...

Great job, Sherry! Gotta love that burlap! :)

xoxo laurie

Sherry said...

I have not tried a table runner with burlap yet. I have used it for several bags and have learend what works best by trial and error. I like the vintage fabric on the ends of your runners. I think that is the plan for mine.

Debbie said...

Now that's really pretty! I love the combination with the burlap and that blue. Wish I had an ounce of your talent.

And great tips about the cleaning, too. I use peroxide a LOT in my cleaning these days. It's the cheapest miracle around.

Renee {Shabby, Chic and Charming} said...

Love burlap! Great job, love the fabric combinations.

A Vintage Vine said...

Great idea! Thanks for sharing over at Cottage Insticts. Your blog is always so inspirational!

Amy Kinser said...

Wonderful job! Would love to be able to sew.

La said...

I love these runners. The pull adds to the charm of the burlap.

Mary said...

Hi Sherry, I love both of your table runners. I've seen a few around blogville, but I like yours the best because the plain smooth burlap in the center is most practical and the ruffles on each end make it beautiful without interferring with the function of it. I may just have to make one! Thank you for linking to Masterpiece Monday. Mary

Theresa said...

I am smitten with burlap and love this idea and how your table runners came out! I love the one with the ecru and red roses~ Makes me long for a traditional dining table! Happy New Year Sherry!
~Theresa

Debbiedoos said...

Hi Sherry...your Burlap runner is fabulous. I triend making one last year and it was disasterous....but I tried.

Mary said...

Hi, I just wanted to tell you that your table runners were featured on my top fav picks today, at Boogieboard Cottage Have a nice weekend! Mary

Chenille Cottage said...

Hi Sherry,
I love your choice of ruffle fabrics that you added to each end of your burlap runner. I have a huge farm table that once belonged to a country church in Dandridge, Tennessee. It is around 100 years old and the idea of topping it with a burlap runner is simply wonderful. I guess I'm going to have to head out and pick up some burlap and get to sewing!
Thank you for the wonderful inspiration!
Blessings,
Carolynn
I'm so glad you popped in for a visit! Thank you for your kind comment!