How To's | Craftwork

Decorating a Burlap Table Runner with Leaves

  • By Clara
  • Beginner

Burlap table runners are extremely popular for table décor, whether it’s for your dining room table or a large wedding.

I’m going to decorate this table runner with twine branches and fabric leaves. It would be perfect for the Thanksgiving table, but with different colors, it can be used for many occasions.

For other ways to embellish your burlap table runner, try stenciling or adding ribbon. Lace ribbon is particularly popular for weddings.

Materials

Burlap Table Runner - Materials

Related Products

Video

Instructions

Step 1: Cut out leaves

I’m using a pre-made table runner to cut out one step in the process, but you can easily make your own.

First, make the leaves. I made templates to keep the shape consistent. Trace around the templates, and then cut them out with pinking shears.

The pinking shears create a serrated edge like some leaves have, and it also helps prevent fraying.

I’m using felt, peachskin, poplin, and linen to create different textures.

Burlap Table Runner - Trace around templates Burlap Table Runner - Cut out leaves Burlap Table Runner - Cut many leaves Burlap Table Runner - Cut many leaves

Step 2: Make branches with twine

I’m using a disappearing ink fabric marker to start sketching out my branches. Use the leaves to make sure you space out the branches correctly. I like to just sketch out a little at a time and pin the leaves.

Burlap Table Runner - Draw branches Burlap Table Runner - Place leaves Burlap Table Runner - Place leaves Burlap Table Runner - Pin leaves

Thread the jute twine on a large needle with a big eye.

I’m using a large backstitch to embroider the branches. Come up through the burlap near the edge and leave a tail for now. Go back through the burlap to make a large stitch. Come to the front again, then go back through the end of the previous stitch. Repeat to create a solid line. I’m making the stitches different lengths to look more like bark. Branch off and make the stems too.

Burlap Table Runner - Thread needle and twine Burlap Table Runner - Come up through the burlap Burlap Table Runner - Make a stitch Burlap Table Runner - Backstitch Burlap Table Runner - Embroider with twine Burlap Table Runner - Embroider branch

Once this segment of the branch is done, pull the twine to the back and cut it leaving a tail. You can make multiple rows of stitches for thicker parts of the branches.

Burlap Table Runner - Cut of tail of twine Burlap Table Runner - Continue branch

Step 3: Add the leaves

Put a line of hot glue on the back of the leaves and press them down where they were pinned.

Burlap Table Runner - Hot glue back of leaves Burlap Table Runner - Glue leaves down

Continue gluing all the leaves.

Burlap Table Runner - Continue gluing leaves Burlap Table Runner - Continue gluing leaves

Turn to the back and glue down the tails of the twine to complete the branch.

Burlap Table Runner - Hot glue ends of twine on back Burlap Table Runner - Cut off extra twine Burlap Table Runner - Glue all ends of twine Burlap Table Runner - Glue all ends of twine

Add more branches in the same way to complete the table runner.

Burlap Table Runner - Make more branches Burlap Table Runner - Complete

For more tutorials like this, check out 7 Projects for Your Table Decor.

Shop burlap, linen, and lace table runners here.