Like a lot of you, I’m crazy about burlap!  It’s such a versatile fabric that can be used in so many ways.  I wanted to add some color and pattern to my table with a new table runner, so I reached for natural and colored burlap to make my own.  The beauty of making it yourself is that you control everything, from the color to the pattern to the size, to make the perfect piece for your home.

Project Estimate:

• Burlap – $2
• Burlap ribbon in red – $3
• Fabric Glue – on hand
• Stencil – on hand
• Paint – on hand

Step one:  Cut the burlap and two strips of burlap ribbon.  The length and width will be determined by the size of the table and your personal preference.

Step two:  Attach the ribbon to the burlap using fabric glue.  I placed a large plastic bag under my project to protect my work surface.

Step three: Tape your stencil onto the center strip of burlap fabric.  Use a foam roller to quickly apply paint over the stencil.  I used a multi-purpose paint, which works nicely on fabric.  I like using a mini foam roller so the paint doesn’t bleed under the stencil, and so I can have crisp edges on my stenciled design.

Repeat your stenciled design until the desired pattern is complete, and allow it to dry.

This quick project will instantly brighten your table!  It’s such a simple craft that you can make several to decorate multiple tables for a party.  You could also make them in different colors or patterns for different holidays.  Have fun crafting and creating!

The post DIY No-Sew Stenciled Burlap Table Runner appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

When Jennifer at Hostess with the Mostess needed a table runner for a popsicle-themed baby shower, she came up with the fun and colorful idea of using popsicle sticks as table decor!  Watercolor paints give the sticks a playful, funky look, and it’s a project that is also kid-friendly.  I love how she made the runner in sections so that it was easy to transport – anyone who has ever decorated for a party outside of their own home ought to appreciate that detail!  And when the party is over, it will take just minutes to disassemble the runner so that you can re-use the sticks in future projects!  [how to make a watercolor popsicle stick table runner]

Project estimate:

• Popsicle sticks, on hand or $1
• Watercolor paints, on hand or $1 and up
• Tape, on hand

Total:  Free and up!

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I don’t know about you, but when I was potty training my son I had lots of stuff sitting around the toilet to keep him entertained and also to reward him for a job well done.  We have 3 bathrooms so I kept every one stock and ready for action.  The upstairs bathrooms weren’t that big of a deal but it was a little embarrassing to explain to my friends why I had a bag of Cheerios and stickers in my bathroom (those with boys totally get this).  So I came up with a solution I was able to use then and have now transformed into something we can still use.  Using a Dollar Store table runner I made an easy organizer for my bathroom.

Project estimate:

• Table runner, $1
• Sewing machine or needle and thread, on hand
• Toilet paper, on hand (for sizing)

Total: $1

Measure from the tip of the runner 36″ and mark.  Draw a line across and cut.  Fold raw edge over 1″ towards the back and secure with a zig zag stitch.  A zig zag stitch will give you a stronger hold.  Not a sewer?  No problem.  This is a great project to try Steam a Seam!  Just watch your temperature when ironing on this material.

Using the remain section of table runner, wrap fabric in a single layer over a roll of toilet paper. This will give you a perfect template to know the size for your bottom pocket.  I used this pocket for books, but now it’s also a perfect for our extra toilet paper rolls.  Before you cut make sure you have allowed enough room to slide the rolls in and out as well as enough space to fold raw edge over before securing.

Center fabric in the middle of the runner.  Depending on what you’re using the pocket for you can decide where to place it.  Then  secure with your chosen method, sewing or iron on adhesive.  This will complete your bottom pocket.

I don’t like to waste anything so I used the other pointed end to make a pocket at the top of the runner for all the misc items such as the Cheerios and stickers.  Now it make a perfect pocket for a magazine or those wonderful flushable wipes.  To make the pocket fold top raw edge over and secure.  Then with the other two side fold edge over (it should already be folded for you).  Secure to runner leaving top open.  You’re now ready to hang it on the wall.

The post Tutorial: Table Runner Bathroom Organizer appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

While fancy linens add an air of sophistication to even the most laid-back party…  Who really wants to wash chocolate cake and fruit punch out of them after the guests go home?  Jennifer at Passion for Parties came up with a table decor idea that is easy and inexpensive enough that you won’t feel bad getting it dirty or tossing it in the trash at the end of the day; she made an elegant table runner out of paper napkins!  [how to make a paper napkin table runner]

Project estimate:

• Paper napkins, on hand or $1 and up
• Scotch tape, on hand
• Double-sided tape, on hand or $1 and up
• Ribbon, on hand or $1 and up

Total:  Free and up

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Remember that big felt Christmas decoration that I snagged on a recent trip to Dollar Tree?  I used it as a stencil and spray painted myself some placemats!  Then I figured, why stop there?  I had a stained white table runner laying around (I should know better than to buy white table linens by now!) so I stenciled that as well.   I prefer snowflake-themed decorations for the holidays, but I also saw similar felt decorations in the shape of Christmas trees and other holiday motifs.  Or, you could use an actual stencil.  Feeling extra creative?  Make your own stencil!  Whatever you choose to use, here’s how it’s done.

Project estimate:

• Felt Christmas decoration, $1
• Placemat, $1
• Spray paint, on hand or $1 and up
• Newspaper, on hand

Total:  $2 and up

First, you need a stencil.  This large felt Christmas-ornament-shaped decoration was my stencil.

Position the stencil on the placemat where you would like the painted shape to appear.

Use newspaper to mask off the rest of the placemat.  You may also wish to tape long the edges where the masking meets the stencil to avoid overspray from getting through any small gaps.  Spray paint over the stencil.  Once the paint dries, you can reposition the stencil and add another image if desired.

Note that if you are using a light colored paint on a darker background, it will take extra coats of paint to show up.  I was surprised how much white spray paint it took to achieve the look I wanted against the blue!

I like the way the edges are fuzzy from the overspray seeping under the edges of the stencil; I think it gives the snowflakes a more organic look.  If you prefer a more crisp line, try holding the stencil down with spray adhesive.

You can also paint around the edges of the snowflakes to give them definition.  I used some free samples of interior paint I got from Glidden earlier this year.

I finished off my table display with an easy centerpiece.  I started with a candle centerpiece left over from my wedding, removing the candle and decorative stones.  Then I filled the vase with varying sizes of Christmas bulb ornaments.  Instant centerpiece!  I finished off the look with the 5 minute tinsel garland wreath from Creature Comforts that you may have seen recently on the DSC Facebook page.

The post Make a Stenciled Placemat Set appeared first on Dollar Store Crafts.

The placemat has to be one of the most useful items you can find at the dollar store, and this project proves it! Make a baby carrier with a placemat! Leslie from Love-Knowledge baby sewed an Onbuhimo, which is a Japanese style baby carrier similar to a Mei Tai, out of a placemat and matching table runner. You’ll need to go outside the dollar store to get some heavy-duty rings (you don’t want to chance inferior rings when you are wearing your baby!), but otherwise this project shouldn’t cost too much. [get the placemat baby sling tutorial here]

You probably won’t find a suitable table runner at the dollar store, but you can usually get a decent deal on them at the big box stores, or a thrift store. If you can’t find a table runner, you can make long tubes of stash fabric that should work for straps. Be sure to follow all the sewing reinforcement instructions on the tutorial!

Project Estimate:

• Heavy-duty placemat, $1
• Coordinating table runner or a yard or so of stash fabric, $1 and up
• Two sling rings, $4.49 (including shipping, at Sling Rings)
• 1/2 yard of accent fabric, on hand
• Sewing stuff, on hand

Total: $5.50 and up

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Yay, one of my favorite bloggers (and DSC readers), Rowena from rostitchery and romesticity has created an amazing tree skirt from dollar store table runners. Table runners are a great dollar store raw material. Lots of crafting potential (I even have a project in mind, but I haven’t made it yet… maybe I will channel the inspiration provided by this project into creating it)! This is a simple sewing project, and approachable even for beginners! [click here for tree skirt made out of table runners tutorial]

Project Estimate:

• Four table runners, $4
• Sewing stuff, on hand
• Rick rack (optional), on hand

Total: $4

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