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.