Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so how about setting up your Thanksgiving table to be as fashionable as you are? The usual Thanksgiving dinner table would be clad in oranges, olive greens, reds, yellows and violets. Plus, the usual decor would be all about turkey, pumpkin, fruits and cornucopia among others. Now why not change it up this year and add your personal style? Choose your favorite print and make it as your backdrop. What better way to set that theme than with a table runner? Here are some steps on how to make one.
STEP 1: Choose a Print or Theme
Choose a favorite print or theme that shows your personality. We’ll be using it for your table runner to set the theme for your Thanksgiving Dinner this year. Other Thanksgiving tables will have the usual Thanksgiving colors and designs but yours will have a touch of your own personality. In my case, I chose a black and white damask print which shows my love for classic and elegant style. You can go with animal prints, stripes, florals or polka dots among others.
STEP 2: Measure the Size of Your Table Runner
Measure your ideal table runner by measuring the table you’ll be setting up. Allow about 5-6 inches of table runner hanging at both ends of the table. As for the width, 12-16 inches is an ideal table runner width, but you can totally adjust it accordingly to the size of your table. Just make sure a serving platter will fit perfectly. Now that you have the dimensions of your table runner, add 3-4 inches allowance to both width and length for sewing.
STEP 3: Prepare Your Materials
Go to your local fabric or craft store and buy the fabric of your choice. You can also buy beads to attach to the ends of your table runner. Make sure you have enough thread in the color as your fabric’s main color or background color, sewing pins, needles/sewing machine, scissors, ruler or tape measure, fabric pencil or marker, and beads.
STEP 4: Cut Your Fabric and Sew
Cut your fabric according to the dimensions of your ideal table runner. Now it’s time to sew the edges. Fold the edges of the fabric twice and secure with pins before you sew. You can sew it by hand or with a sewing machine.
EASY TRICK: If you cant sew, use a candle! Make sure to cut your fabric as straight as possible using a ruler. Trace with a fabric marker or pencil on the backside of the fabric. Now cut the fabric. Once cut, light a candle and carefully run the sides of the fabric along the candle’s light. This will avoid fraying on the edges of the fabric.
STEP 5: Add Beads to Table Runner
Grab a needle and thread and sew at one end of the table runner. Insert the beads according to your design and then insert the needle back to the beads except for the last bead you inserted so it acts as a lock. Then insert it back to the fabric and secure with a knot. Do the same for the rest of the dangling beads on both ends of the table runner.
STEP 6: Accessorize
Now, it’s all about accessorizing your Thankgiving Table with your theme and combining it with Thanksgiving essentials. Here are some ideas.
1. Put mini pumpkins in a bowl in a color or print as your theme.
2. Put orange, red or yellow candles in candle stick holders or plates that follows your theme.
3. Pick about 10-15 leaves just outside your house to scatter randomly at the edges of your table runner. Choose different shades of red, oranges and yellow and make sure to wipe them clean.
4. Arrange flowers in a vase that follows your theme.
5. Finally, serve your turkey or main dishes in serving platters that match your theme to complete the whole look!
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
Visit my personal blog for more posts by me.
xoxo,
Cris
Photo 2 Credits: eHow, Hostess, The City Sage, Confessions of a She-Fan
