Subway Art Burlap Table Runner -- Point of View

I am participating in a fun blog hop today!  The Burlap Point of View!  A group of ladies get together each month and put their spin on a topic.  They invite a guest and do a blog hop one day of the month.  I am the guest this month!  So read on to find out about MY point of view on burlap!

After that little sneak peak of the projects, I am sure you want to visit them all!  Check out all the blogs:

Amy http://www.amerooniedesigns.blogspot.com/

Michelle http://www.alittletipsy.com/


Camilla http://www.rosyredbuttons.blogspot.com/


Leanne http://www.organizeyourstuffnow.com/


Gwen http://www.gwennypenny.com/

Now for my point of view!  Burlap is the perfect thing for me...I was thrilled that the ladies asked me this month.  I heart burlap!  As soon as I heard the theme, I began to think of table runners for my Thanksgiving table.  I have had a thought of a subway art table runner for a while.  I love subway art but have never found a way to work it into my home.  A table runner seemed like the perfect opportunity.  So I combined that idea with burlap and came up with fabulous...

Ready to make your own??

I used muslin and my fave deco art paints for the runner.  Muslin comes in 108" widths so it is super easy to tear yourself off a runner from one side.  My muslin is 12 inches wide.

Then I broke out one of my other fave products -- my Silhouette.  I made my subway art using different fonts, sizes, and directions plus stock shapes out of my library.  I made the stencil about 8 inches square.  If you make your stencil square that allows for you to turn it as you work your way down the table runner.  It looks a little less like you just used the same stencil all the way (even though you do).  Paint it this way then turn it 1/4 turn.  Paint it again.  Turn it 1/4 turn.  Make sense?   My secret for stencils -- I take the middles of the letters and tape them in with scotch tape.  After I paint in this area, I would remove the stencil and go back by hand and paint in the areas masked by the tape.  Want more details on that method?  Check out this post for all the details.

I custom mixed my own paints.  I did them in small amounts on a paper plate.  So as you go down the runner, the orange may look different as I had to mix a new batch.  I wanted this look.  I did not want the runner to be exactly the same all the way.  I felt the slight differences in color added interest.

Plus when I painted I used different colors.  Let's take the "give thanks" in the picture below on the right for example.  The "give" part looks like a slightly different shade then the "thanks".  But the "give thanks" on the left hand side looks a little different yet.  Just dip your brush in say a little red before dipping it into the brown.  You will be amazed at the effects you can create. 

See my turkey below...isn't he pretty??  Shades of red, orange, and yellow all used to make him stand out!  When I got to the next turkey, I would try a different mix of colors. 

I stretched my runner out on the floor with newspaper underneath it.  I painted all of my subway art all the way down.  I did it in two sessions cause it totally hurt my back!!  But I finished it...then I let that dry.  I took my burlap and cut it to be about 4 inches wider than my runner (2 inches on both sides).

I then sewed the muslin to the burlap on both sides and on the ends.  I left about 2 inches all the way around of the burlap.  I left all of my edges raw cause I heart frayed edges.  You can run some fray checker on the edges to make sure it does not fray more than you want it to.

I frayed my edges some on purpose.  Again cause I love that look.  How much or how little is totally up to you.

Then I set the table for a little photo shoot.  Any guesses on what my table cloth is?  It is a drop cloth.  Yes a canvas painter's drop cloth.  Impress your guests this Thanksgiving with a gorgeous table cloth...don't tell 'em where you got it...

In the center of the table, I just added a footed wood bowl and some pumpkins and gourds.  A little scrap of burlap was placed in the bottom of the bowl.

All that is missing is my Thanksgiving guests.  I love the idea that no matter where you are sitting at the table you can read seasonal saying and words....

Here is a shot from above so you can see that I did indeed paint all 108 inches of table runner...no cheating allowed...

I am so in love with this table runner, I am thinking of doing one for every season!  The subway art table runner could very quickly become a "thing" for me...

For now, I will just enjoy all the autumn colors on my Thanksgiving table.  Oh if you are wondering -- this one will be spot clean only.  Sorry gals I don't think burlap washes well.  :)

So fire up your Silhouette, make your stencil, and start painting!  I would love to see your take on the subway art table runner this holiday season!

Be sure to visit all the other burlap projects today!

Amy http://www.amerooniedesigns.blogspot.com/

Michelle http://www.alittletipsy.com/

Camilla http://www.rosyredbuttons.blogspot.com/

Leanne http://www.organizeyourstuffnow.com/

Gwen http://www.gwennypenny.com/

And if you are visiting me today from one of these great blogs, follow along!  We would love to have ya!
Posted at the Weekend Wrap up on Tatertots and Jello.
Posted at Sunday Showcase on Under the Table and Dreaming.
Linking up with Best DIY Project of October on Beneath My Heart. 
Posted at the Thanksgiving party on Someday Crafts.

~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~

Posted in: burlap, craft cutter, fall, sewing, thanksgiving, tutorials