Tutorial: Ruffled Faux Grain Sack Table Runner

I’m interrupting my Paris in Seven Days series to show you a little project I have been working on. It’s my new table runner…made from toweling that does a good job of imitating vintage grain sacks! It seems that while I was in France, the fabric caught on in blogland and has been popping up everywhere. I had an email from my friend Linda at Nina’s Nest telling me all about it upon my return!

I was really excited to find out that you can order toweling since my beloved ruffled burlap table runner (tutorial here) was looking a little heavy for the summer months. We can thank Sherry at No Minimalist Here for the inspiration. After a little searching I found a source!

The color I chose…no surprise here…was blue and natural. All you have to do is look around on my blog to see that I love that color combination! And, since it comes 16 inches wide with the sides already hemmed, it just naturally lends itself to being made into a table runner. And at only $7.98 a yard, you can have a nice custom runner for around $28 plus shipping.

The first step, of course, is to measure your table. Here, Baby Kitty demonstrates an alternate method for measuring. It appears that mine is about four cats long...or 68 inches, for those of you without cats. Once you have measured your table top, add 14 inches to allow for a 6 inch drop on each end plus a seam allowance. Then add an additional 32 inches to allow for the ruffle. My measurements were 68 inches + 14 inches + 32 inches for 114 inches or a little over 3 yards. I ordered 3 1/2 yards at $7.98 per yard, since it may only be ordered in 1/2 yard increments.

1. First, cut the fabric into two pieces…one piece measuring the length of your tabletop plus the additional 14 inches and a second piece which is 32 inches long. (You may have a little bit left over.) The 32 inch piece will be your ruffles. 2. Cut the 32 inch piece in half lengthwise. 3. Hem the short ends of the 32 inch pieces by folding under twice and top-stitching. 4. Run a long stitch through the long side with the raw edges and gather. 5. Adjust the gathers to the short end of your runner, right sides together and sew. I finished the seam with a zig-zag stitch, since the fabric tends to ravel. 6. (Not pictured) Press the seam toward the runner and top stitch from the right side. 

And…voilà! It was really easy and quick. Now I have a nice summery table runner to go with all of my blue and white!

Here, I set the table with my vintage Quimper ware and some mismatched vintage silverplate…love it! I have a feeling you will be seeing more of this one!
Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed a little peek at my project!  Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!
Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Rhoda at Southern Hospitality for Today's Thrifty Treasures on Mondays
Mary at Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday (first Monday of the month)
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Judy at DIY by Design for Sizzle into Summer
Kara at Elements Interiors for Whassup Wednesday
Gina at The Shabby Chic Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
Leigh at Tales from Bloggeritaville for Thrifty Thursday
Jill at French Cupboard for Voilà! French Inspiration on Thursdays
Sherry at No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Diann at The Thrifty Groove for Thrifty Things Friday
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Fridays
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
See you next time! A la prochaine!