Dining Room Table Runner

 This has been a project a LONG time coming.  I had an extra length of fabric from my curtains when we lived back in Wisconsin that I was always planning to use for a table runner.  Well, a couples moves and 4 years later, we are in a new house. I still love the fabric and I purchased it again for my curtains.  Only with this house, I used this fabric for all of the curtains on the main floor since I have such an open floor plan.
 But, I still had this perfect amount of fabric left over for a table runner.  I just never got around to sewing it up.  I have way too much ADD when it comes to sewing and crafting.  However, this spring I've got a little Finish Decorating Fever.  I want to finish adding all the little touches to my rooms so that my place looks cute and put-together instead of half-way done.   So yesterday afternoon, I whipped up this table runner.
This was actually a very quick and easy project.  I love how it ties in my mismatched colorful chairs and crackle-finish table.   This glamorous custom runner is the perfect juxtaposition to my very casual table and chairs. It just makes me smile!

 After I figured out my desired width, I folded and ironed the edge under. 

 Then I cut a piece of white muslin just smaller than the width of the runner, taking into account my seam allowances.  With right sides together, I sewed the 2 pieces together forming a tube.  Turn it right-side-out and press. 

 Now it looks like this.  Nicely lined with a great finished edge.  Then, I tucked the top and bottom edges under, pressed and sewed shut. 

 Next I took some tassel trim and sewed it to the edge using matching thread and the longest stitch on my sewing machine.  I stitched along the stripe where the brown meets the blue on each side.  I think you have to look really hard to find the stitching.  Perfect!

 Adding the trim made this runner look more formal and polished. I love it next to the shabby-chic crackles on my table.

 I just love this fabric!

 This is what I was using as a runner before.  Just a plain, tan cotton runner from Ikea.  Boring. 

It makes such a difference and adds a huge finishing touch to this area of my house to finally have a beautiful table runner.  

Thanksgiving Tablescape

I hosted Thanksgiving this year, and I wanted my table to look nice. I had plain white china for the placesettings, but I didn't have any fall table linens. I made napkin rings from some left over wired ribbon that I tied in a knot and glued together with hot glue. Then I sewed this awesome table runner out of orange burlap and corn husks. I found the idea and tutorial here and I just had to make one for myself. I made it for my table when it is completely extended. I enjoyed it so much, that I think I am going to make a second one that is shorter for my everyday table length next year.

 I just love how pretty the table looks!