Coincidentally enough, I've also been looking for a runner for our dining room table. We have placemats now, but they seem to overwhelm the table, and I'd prefer something that disguises the hideous gap running down the middle:
When I got home, I cut out a panel about 74" long by 16" wide. (The fabric was 54" wide, so I have plenty left for another project in the future... or another runner, in case I screwed this one up) Using the Steam-A-Seam was pretty simple, but it took time to make sure that I was folding the hem over into a straight line. I'm sure there are more efficient ways of doing this type of thing, but I just used a measuring tape and measured every so often to make sure my width was consistent.
Taking Sara's advice, I ironed the hem first without the adhesive in it, so I had a nice fold as a guide. Then I just cut strips of Steam-A-Seam and placed them inside the fold, removed the backing, and folded the hem over. 10 to 15 seconds with the iron, and voila! A no-sew hem! Amazing.
When I was finished, I trimmed the excess hem just to clean it up a bit. It's the type of fabric that frays super-easy, so there were threads all over the place by the time I was finished. For that reason, I'm not sure I want to wash this runner much, unless I find a way to keep the edges from fraying. Any tips?
So it's not beautiful on the underside, but who's ever going to know? (Besides you.) You seamstresses out there would probably scoff at me for my feeling of accomplishment -- and rightly so -- but I'm so proud, I could just burst at the steam-a-seams! Ha.
I brought out a few PartyLite candle holders from our bedroom to dress it up a little, and I think this is a definite upgrade from the placemats. For an hour and a half worth of work, and coming in at under $10 (not including the Steam-A-Seam), that's hard to beat!
So now that I've conquered this project, I think I might be ready to move up to curtain panels for the guest bedroom (and maybe other rooms?!). I have a feeling it'll take me a lot longer to pick out the fabric for those, but I hope to get around to it soon! The bedsheet must come down.
I think this Steam-A-Seam is going to open up a whole new world of possibilities that I previously thought was out of reach! Thanks again to Sara for the inspiration!
Update: I was so proud of my table runner, I linked this post up to the Saturday Nite Special party over at Funky Junk Interiors.
I think this Steam-A-Seam is going to open up a whole new world of possibilities that I previously thought was out of reach! Thanks again to Sara for the inspiration!
Update: I was so proud of my table runner, I linked this post up to the Saturday Nite Special party over at Funky Junk Interiors.
13 comments:
Very nice! I like the fabric you chose.
Wowza! Looks fantastic! Makes me want to steam-a-seam something!
Girl, WHAT'S UP!!! That runner is faboosh! I love the fabric and I know that it will hold up well! I chose a lighter weight adhesive because I wasn't sure if the seams I had created would stay that way forever (I may want to make rod pockets someday) so I didn't want to use the heavy weight tape for possible removal reasons. Your fabric store was right on!
I love it! And you got a good deal on the fabric too. I love when people in the shops are helpful!
It looks fantastic. Thanks for the tutorial on how to do this.
Looks good no go tackle those drapes. You can do it :)
tammy
I love it! You can use that year-round. I may have to try it. Thanks for sharing.
Nice job! You're right, having a runner to cover that gap is a big improvement. And cheers to eyeballing, and to clearance fabric!
Kristina
Sweetfern Handmade
It looks good - I like the fabric you choose very nice
Looks great! Stitch Witchery is the best stuff ever invented - I absolutely hate sewing.
Danielle
Thanks for all your comments!
There is something I just saw on a blog somewhere that is made just for preventing fraying, I cannot remember where I saw it, but the people at the fabric store would know. I guess that wasn't super helpful was it?
never heard of steam a seam! i am going to have to try some of that!
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