DIY Network

Burlap Table Runner and Chair Covers More Thanksgiving Crafts

Table Runner or Overlay

Materials:

garden burlap (easily found at garden centers)
leaf-shaped foam stamps (optional)
paintbrush
ribbon or yarn (optional)

Steps:

1. Cut burlap to desired size. A table runner should be approximately half the width of the table and as long as you like, while an overlay can cover as much of the table as you'd like. Note: Burlap cuts very easily with standard shears.

Figure A

2. Paint the burlap with acrylic paints on a protected surface. Use random brushstrokes to create the illusion of leaves or stamp the fabric in fall colors with large foam stamps (figure A). The rough texture and loose weave of burlap makes it difficult to achieve fine detail, so keep designs simple.

3. Let paint thoroughly dry.

4. Weave fall colored ribbons or yarns through the burlap after the paint is dry for an additional embellishment.

5. Place the table runner or overlay on top of a coordinating tablecloth and you are ready to set the table. Use a rich colored tablecloth underneath — the open weave of the burlap will allow the tablecloth color to peek through.

Matching Burlap Chair Covers:

Materials:

garden burlap
scissors
decorative yarn
needle

Steps:

1. Before cutting fabric, slip material over chair's splat (the splat is the part of the chair your back rests against). Leave equal lengths of fabric on both sides, each side should have enough that when folded in, the sides almost meet in the middle.

	Figure B
	Figure C

2. Cut material. Tip: The frayed look is part of burlap's rustic charm. But, if you prefer clean lines, stitch along the areas you plan to cut, before cutting, to prevent fraying.

3. Fold fabric over chair back and wrap around sides as if wrapping a package (figure B).

4. Loosely stitch sides together on the back side with a chunky yarn (figure C). Be sure not to stitch too closely to the burlap's edge or you’ll pull the outer fibers loose. Go further into the material and stitch back and forth to create a criss-cross pattern. Tip: Knot the yarn off at each stitch before going to the other side to keep from shifting.