How to Make a Burlap Halloween Table Runner...

Courtesy of Marian Parsons

Hi Friends,

Add a rustic touch to your Halloween table setting with a burlap runner decorated with ghostly bare branches and ravens.

Materials Needed:

burlap fabric: length of table plus 20"
coordinating cotton thread
scissors
sewing machine
blank plastic stencil
computer
printer
printer paper
permanent marker
craft knife
cutting board or mat
2" foam brush
black acrylic paint
no. 2 liner brush
tin foil
Download Crow Template HERE

Cut and Sew Burlap Runner
Measure and cut burlap to table length plus 20 inches, which will leave a 10-inch overhang on each end of the table. Measure and cut runner to 20 inches wide (Image 1). Using coordinating thread, machine stitch all four sides of runner, one inch in from edge to prevent burlap from fraying beyond one inch (Image 2).

Create Stencil
Print crow template in 5" x 7" photo format or 8" x 10" if larger bird is desired. Place blank plastic stencil over printed template and trace with permanent marker. Place stencil on cutting board or mat. Use craft knife to cut out bird's outline. Tip: Leave a small part of bird's legs uncut in order to keep stencil connected.

Paint Branches
Use a pencil to lightly sketch bare branches on runner. Paint over sketched branches with artist's brush and black acrylic paint. Tip: Take a silhouette photo of a tree to use as inspiration when sketching branches.

Stencil Crow
Place runner on a flat surface with a piece of tin foil under work area to prevent paint from bleeding through. Position stencil so crow is perched on branch. Load acrylic paint onto two-inch foam brush and blot gently over stencil (Image 1). Use artist's brush to paint crow's legs and feet (Image 2). Repeat stencil on additional branches as desired and allow paint to dry. Tip: Using a paper towel to remove excess paint from brush will reduce bleeding.

Create Fringe
Loosen edges of burlap gently with fingers. Pull threads to create fringed border on all four sides. Note: Some burlap is not machine washable, so quickly clean up any spills by blotting them with water and prevent stains by not placing food directly on runner.

Check our October 5, 2012 post for instructions to create the Witch's Broom Halloween Place Card Holders that adorns the simple but elegant plates.

Bon Appétit...

Happy Halloween from your friends at Interior Design!

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Live well,
Yvonne