Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Rustic Runner

I've spent the last few days working on an area of my den.  It involves an occassional table, and as part of dressing it up, I decided to make a small "runner" for it.

Here it is!




I love how it turned out.  And I love how inexpensive it was to make.  Simple cotton fabric is just a few dollars, and the transfer paper is roughly a dollar per sheet. So, I'd ring up the entire project at $4.

 I took my two fabrics (it didn't take much!) and cut out three panels that would become the three sections of the runner.



I picked out a pretty French graphic from The Graphics Fairy and opened it in Paint.net (a simple, free photo/image editing program I use).  I then converted it to a mirror image so that it would look right after I transferred it onto the fabric.

I printed it on iron-on transfer paper--no fancy tricks here--an ironed it onto the fabric for the center panel.



I matched up the edges of the panels and used stitch-witchery (an iron-on fabric adhesive that you can get at Hobby Lobby, JoAnne's, etc.) to bind them together. I did the same to "hem" up all the edges.  I still don't have my sewing machine, ug!



I didn't worry about cutting my fabric perfectly straight, because I knew I could iron on straight stitches with the stitch-witchery.



Even though I ironed all the fabric before starting, I pressed the panels again to make them crisp and clean....but if you try this, remember NOT to touch the iron to the image, or it will melt! (I had a near miss...eek.)



The image is perfectly vintage.  It transferred perfectly to the fabric.





Rustic yet elegant....my favorite combination!



P.S.  To see where I'm linking up this week, click the "Blog Parties" tab at the top of the page! I'm also linking to Nifty Thrifty Tuesday.

44 comments:

  1. Beautiful...I love it...great job...
    Have a Blessed day
    Tonja

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  2. I love this project. I need to try this one. I would love for you to link up this project to my very first linky party which is going on right now. Hope you will stop by and join in for the fun.

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  3. Hi Kelly! This is a great project and I really love the graphic.

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  4. Oooh, I really like this! It turned out great!

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  5. Beautifully done, Kelly! I love it.

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  6. This is beautiful, what a great ides! I love it! This is the first time I have visited your blog and I love it. I am your newest follower :) I found you through Blue Cricket Design's linky party. Thanks for sharing this!!

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  7. Hi Kelly, wow, I just love this!!! I've got to try one of these!

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  8. Wonderful project, Kelly...and thanks for the tutorial!

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  9. This is really pretty! I love the fabrics and design you used. So sweet.

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  10. I love it! And thanks for the tip on paint.net!

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  11. I love how that looks! Great job! I'm your newest follower :)

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  12. That is some kind of adorable! I've never used transfer paper but I like that idea so much better than stencils. Love it!

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  13. That is lovely! It turned out great!

    Brandy
    Gluesticks
    www.brandyscrafts.blogspot.com

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  14. love this!!! gonna bookmark for future project!

    thanks!
    xx-kristyn

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  15. Love this! Fabulous job!
    You should come link this up to my weekly Thursday through Sunday Making It With Allie Link Party! I think it would make a Fabulous addition!
    AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

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  16. That's a great idea and project. I'm so glad it turned out beautifully for you.

    xoxo,
    Ellen

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  17. Now THAT's my kind of sewing! lol! I don't have a sewing machine either (yet), so I was glad to hear that I could make something like this without one! Your runner turned out very French chic and vintage! Love it! :)

    Happy FNF!

    xoxo laurie

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  18. Fantastic! I love how that turned out. Glad you found my blog, following you back.

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  19. Hi Kelly,
    Your project turned out so pretty and I agree, rustic and quite elegant! I think even I could follow your directions (not a big DIY person and don't sew). I love the runner and the graphic you used too!
    xo~Tracie

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  20. That looks great! I love it. I don't know where to find that iron on transfer paper, I have looked for it and have not found it. I live in Canada, so who knows if we even have it up here.]
    Hugs, Cindy

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  21. I love how your project turned out Kelly! I've been wanting to do a project like this for my table too, but have no clue how. Thanks for sharing a tutorial with us. Happy weekend!
    -marie

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  22. It's just gorgeous Kelly! Very boutique-ish! :-)
    Thanks so much for linking this up to Inspiration Friday this week!
    Vanessa

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  23. What a sweet project and it came out just delightful! Thank you so much for sharing this at Feathered Nest Friday! :)

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  24. Thanks for your comments on my table runner! Just had to come check yours out and wow, I love it! At first I thought I was going to have to get my sewing machine out and am thrilled that it was no sew!

    BTW - I realize they aren't free like graphics fairy but I would encourage you to check out the Etsy store I mentioned in my post. Her graphics are only $3.50 and she has some really great stuff (and I promise I'm not related to her in any way, I just like her products!) :-)

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  25. That's the epitome of rustic sophistication--beautiful!

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  26. I've seen those on blogs from girls in Washington State, OK, Texas and some have cute single or double ruffles on the ends, I'm thinking of making one myself for my cabin.
    Good Job! Mel's Cabin invites you to come by for some coffee and relax while visiting the cabin.

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  27. I love it!

    Jo @ SmileMonsters

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  28. Love it! Great idea!

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  29. Awesome! And I love the tin of buttons and the flowers on the other side.

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  30. great job.. I might have to try this - transfer paper - where does one find that? In the regular sewing area of a store? :)

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  31. I love it! The Graphics Fairy always has such wonderful images, doesn't she? I liked what you did with that one.

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  32. This is a really cool runner. Great job. Stop by my blog for my giveaway!

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  33. Your ideas are like you...Awesome! Thanks so much for linking your creativity up to my blog bash K.I.S.S. and THANKS BUNCHES for sponsoring the K.I.S.S. giveaway this week.

    http://thetatteretag.blogspot.com

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  34. You did an awesome job on this project! I also love your etsy trays, I am headed over to enter the giveaway:)
    Christine
    greatoakcircle.com

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  35. Absolutely love this project and since I am in to black and white graphics at present, I am going to make one! Thank you for sharing!

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  36. I know I'm late on this one, but this is so cute. Love that you are using the stitch witchery. It is so much faster than dragging out the sewing machine and then figuring out hot to thread it. Great job.

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  37. So Enjoying your blog! Your transfer came out great and I'm loving some of your ideas on your side bar Those trinket trays are adorable!

    ~Liz

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  38. Hey Kelly-

    Thanks so much for the shout out at the top of your blog page. So appreciated! :)

    http://thetatteredtag.blogspot.com

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  39. Thanks for linking the up to Fantastic Friday!

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