3.06.2012

ruffled table runner

so i had to make a cute table runner...


cause what's a new dining room table without a cute coverup. it's like a pretty lady in a pretty dress.
okay.it's not. whatever.


walmart just got in this set of navy blue and red polka dots and stripes...it's very nautical and cute..but i just wanted this cute polka dot! i bought two yards .....and have PLENTY to spare. one yard would be enough!


i cut a strip (if you have a yard you will sew two together to make is long.) measure your table..you are going to want to add 8 inches on each side for the hem and hangover...

this is how i hem...i WAS taught to fold over..sew then fold over again. i don't. hello. we've met. it's called lazy shortcut way mkay? i take my iron and iron over the edge (on all sides)

my fabric has a big bold pattern so i was able to line up my hems so the dots were right on the edge and not cut off...

then i fold over and iron again..and pin and sew!


cut some fabric in strips...these are about 3 inches by 44 inches...
quick little ruffle tutorial.....center it (you can do the edge but this will give the effect like a skirt..gathered top and then looser at the bottom...which would be pretty also!

the regular setting on my sewing machine is 2.5...i move it the highest possible (4.5)

DON'T backstitch! you just run it right through...see the big stitch?

then you just pull the one of the strings and it will start to gather. you just move those ruffles down and you can space them out however you please!
you can pull just a little and get a nice large ruffle...or pull it medium..or pull until you can't pull anymore and get a nice small tight ruffle (this is the one i did) and i used all 44 inches of the strip...if you are doing a large one you will not need a strip that big!

 then i just pin on and sew as normal!
 okay...so the pin right above my thumb? that is the where the table edge is..i wanted my ruffles to hang below the edge so i marked it so i would make sure not to forget!
  (i added a piece to make my fabric longer...and i made sure the ruffle covers it!




i laid it out shortened so you can see that any size looks good


(and this was mid making of the table so bear with me!)


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22 comments:

  1. Goings on at the Glenn'sMarch 6, 2012 at 10:14 AM

    um CUTE! the table looks fantastic too.

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  2. LenaMarch 6, 2012 at 10:19 AM

    This is so creative and very cute.. I love ruffles!!!!

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  3. UnknownMarch 6, 2012 at 10:55 AM

    how did you color the masson jars?

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  4. AlaynaMarch 6, 2012 at 11:03 AM

    I don't fold then sew then repeat. Half the time I don't even iron first. It just takes so much time. And with an 8 month preggo belly in the way, it sure makes it hard to get up and down. I love to do things the "cheater" way. Like use my pizza cutter to cut way more things than pizza.

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  5. UnknownMarch 6, 2012 at 11:25 AM

    Love, love, love it! I just learned to sew a ruffle the other day so I could make my cute camera strap! Can't wait to make one of these...love the polka dots!

    Jessica @ Mom 4 Real

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  6. RayshaMarch 6, 2012 at 11:46 AM

    I love this idea. The ruffles are so cute. I'm going to be painting my table and then I'm going to try this.

    http://lexmallabooks.com/

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  7. seven thirty threeMarch 6, 2012 at 12:44 PM

    SOOO cute! I'm a lazy hemmer (is that a word?!?) too. BUT I did learn a trick - use cardstock and fold the edge over it - helps to keep it all even... and makes doing a true fold and then fold THAT much easier!

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  8. AnonymousMarch 6, 2012 at 4:12 PM

    I love it! I love the whole look actually! So bright and colorful!

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  9. DebbieMarch 7, 2012 at 1:16 AM

    Gorgeous! I SEW want to try one.
    I cant beleive you do your hem that way. I hate ironing and pinning. I end up with too many steam burns on my fingers. I do the fold sew, fold sew, skip the iron all together which I always thought was the laziest way of all... although certainly the least acurate!

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  10. BrookeMarch 7, 2012 at 9:19 AM

    Where did you find your bench? Love it!

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  11. CarolynMarch 7, 2012 at 9:33 AM

    Yes yes please tell us how you colored the mason jars! The ruffle is adorable and I love the jars on top. Gorgeous!!!!!

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  12. heicocMarch 8, 2012 at 5:27 AM

    Did u show how u did ur also table? If so I missed it :).

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  13. TheresaMarch 9, 2012 at 12:50 PM

    I love this! The ruffles, polka dots, bold color - all great! In fact, the day you posted this a friend and I were getting together to make spring table runners. After seeing this, I had to add a ruffle to mine, too! (I would have done 3, but apparently I can't measure correctly and I ran out of room.) :) Thanks for the inspiration.

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  14. Pitter and GlinkMarch 10, 2012 at 5:51 AM

    This is SEW cute! ;) I'm so jealous that your Walmart still carries fabric. Mine doesn't anymore. :(

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  15. AnonymousMarch 10, 2012 at 9:05 AM

    Adorable runner and so fun! I'm so loving your colorful mason jars....they look great on your runner! Pinning this:D

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  16. SusanMarch 10, 2012 at 10:50 AM

    That's just darling! I wish you had this in your etsy shop, I love it!

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  17. UnknownMarch 10, 2012 at 1:45 PM

    I can't even begin to tell you how much I love your runner.... It is Darling, and I think it needs to have a Date with my Dottie ♥ http://www.thediaryofdaveswife.com/2012/03/meet-dottie-my-kitchenaid-mixer.html

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  18. Mrs. HMarch 12, 2012 at 12:36 PM

    Cute! I'm your newest follower! I found you one Tatertots and Jello. My daughter is turning one and we're having rainbow themed birthday, I may have to use something like this, I LOVE IT!

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  19. JennaMarch 13, 2012 at 11:24 AM

    Very cute. I'm taking a beginning sewing class and have really only mastered sewing straight lines (using mastered in the loosest sense of the word, of course), so this tutorial is perfect for me! I really think I could do this and whip up a whole batch of fun table runners for different seasons/holidays... thanks for the inspiration!
    2027

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  20. UnknownMarch 14, 2012 at 12:21 PM

    I LOVE this. Thank you for sharing the tutorial. I'm refinishing my dining room table and my next step was to decide on a runner. I can't wait to make this. =)

    Your dining area is super cute!

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  21. Blissful & DomesticMarch 26, 2012 at 9:42 AM

    Hey I just wanted to let you know I featured you on Blissful and Domestic this morning. Stop by and grab a button and check it out.

    Danielle
    Blissful and Domestic

    http://blissfulanddomestic.blogspot.com/2012/03/30-spring-crafts-and-treats.html

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  22. Vanessa@Lovin-LifeMay 24, 2012 at 10:49 PM

    Thank you so much for the tutorial. I used it to make my own ruffled table runner! You by far have the best tutorial on how to do ruffles out there.

    http://lovin-life-piersons.blogspot.com/2012/05/burlap-and-ruffle-table-runner-super.html
    I linked back to you in the post.

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