Monogrammed Burlap Table Runner & Placemats

Last Sunday was Mother's Day, and I was having my parents over for dinner.  I always see really cool dining table decor, but I never take the time to do it.  Most of my family could care a less, as long as there's food on the table.  But it matters to me, and makes me feel good when my house looks good.  So I decided to quickly make a table runner and matching placemats.

It was super easy.  I measured my table length, and then added enough to hang down on each end.  Make sure it's not to long so it won't touch the chair seat.  Mine are maybe 1/2" above the chair.  I made mine 12" wide, but you can decide what looks good on your table.  Burlap is easy to cut straight, you just have to follow one of the threads.  I think I pulled one thread from each long side, and 5 threads from the short ends to make a small fringe.  Then I did a narrow zig-zag stitch with thread the same color as the burlap on all 4 sides, catching in the last woven thread.  If you don't stitch it, it will unravel quickly.  Do this before you decorate it, or you will have burlap strings everywhere.  

Then I just found an R in a font that I liked, made it about 6" high and printed it in reverse.  That way you can trace it and make an iron on.  I used regular Wonder Under, because I wanted to stitch around the edges.  But you could use Heavy Wonder Under, or Heat 'n Bond Ultra, and you don't have to sew it at all.  

You trace your reversed letter on the paper side of your iron on adhesive, iron it to the back of your fabric, cut it out and iron it on.  Easy peasy!! I straight stitched around the R, because I like that look.  I'm OK if it frays a little around the edges. 

Then I cut out 4 placemats.  I don't remember the exact measurements.  It was part what fit on the table, and part how much burlap I had left.  Anyway...I used the same method with fraying the short ends a bit and zig-zagging around the edges.  I used the same font and printed a smaller R in reverse, and made iron-ons in 4 different fabrics.

I'm loving how they turned out.  It was a cheap and simple project, that makes my dining room look way better.  I'm thinking the table runner can stay, with different placemats for fall and Christmas.  We'll see what we come up with then.  

It looks so much better, don't you think?  My dining room is the only room in our house that has a south window.  It's probably my favorite room because if the sun is out, it's so bright and cheery.  I love my dining room set too.  That is another story for another day.  

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