Thanksgiving - The Idea Room

Monogrammed Table Runner

Last week I shared with you the simple Thanksgiving Table Centerpiece that I recently made for our Thanksgiving Feast. I also shared how to Build Your Own Box for the centerpiece. Did I mention that Thanksgiving is at my house for the FIRST time with our entire family?!! I have the centerpiece covered now but it needed a little something extra, so I decided to make a simple Monogrammed DIY Table Runner.

I have ALWAYS wanted a table runner and FINALLY had the perfect excuse to make one. It could not be easier. If you can sew a straight line, this project is for you!

I bought 2 yards of burlap, but any heavier fabric like linen or muslin will work too. Then measured and cut two pieces…14 in x 88 inches.

My table (which actually has not been built yet…long story…more on that later) is going to measure 60 inches square. I wanted the runner to hang over the edge of the table, 14 inches, on each end. So that meant that I needed a total length of 88 inches (60 inches for the table + 14 inches +14 inches = 88 inches).

Since everyone has different sized tables, you will need to figure out what length and width you would like your runner to be and plan accordingly. You can also make a table runner that just lays on the table and doesn’t hang over the edge like I show in some of the final pictures.

Then I took the two pieces and pinned them together with the wrong side of the material facing each other. Then sew some black (or another color) bias tape around the entire table runner. Now some people freak out about sewing on bias tape.

*Here is a little trick that I do that makes it a LOT easier to work with. I don’t actually pin mine on. I sew slowly and put it in the correct place and sew it on as I go. It makes it so much easier for me and it doesn’t pucker. Also, make sure to put the side of the bias tape that is slightly wider on the bottom so you are sure to catch it with the thread.

Then I made a simple stencil with my Silhouette Cameo and some vinyl. I cut out two of them to stencil a monogram on each end of the table runner.

This is another project that you could whip up in an hour or during naptime pretty easily. Now…here is where I fess up to a little secret…I actually have NOT finished this table runner completely. Gasp!

My sewing machine suddenly just quit working MID Project!! Gah! So I have to get it fixed or run up to my mom’s and finish it before Thanksgiving. BUT—I wanted you to be able to make one if you wanted too and give you enough time to get it done before the big holiday rush. So don’t look TOO closely ;)!! You can see the pins in a couple of places which I just put in there to hold the bias tape on for pictures! #keepingitrealpeople

But even halfway finished, I am really excited about how it turned out! I love how simple it is but it adds a little extra “umph” to your Holiday setting!

Oh…and as I alluded to above, we currently do not have a kitchen table that fits our entire family. We have a square table that seats 6 and now that the baby is no longer a baby in a high chair (she’s 5!!) we have to pull out an extra chair to fit us all around. My boys are both now full sized adults and we are running out of room (and food)!

We have searched high and low for a table that would fit our odd space and our family. What we have found is way out of our budget…so…we are going to build one. I KNOW!! Think we can do it before Thanksgiving? We will see. Life gets crazy so we are going to have to play this one by ear and see how it goes…!

Linking up here: Not Just a Housewife

November 12, 2012 · Filed under: Home Decor, Sewing, Thanksgiving Tagged with burlap table runner, DIY runner, DIY table runner, make your own table runner, monogrammed table runner, thanksgiving table

Build Your Own Wooden Box

7 Comments

I shared with you earlier in the week this simple Thanksgiving Centerpiece I made for our Thanksgiving Table this year. Today I want to give you some simple instructions so you can make this DIY Wood Box. The great part about this is that it is a super easy project that can be whipped up in just a couple of hours. And if you have never built anything this DIY Wood Box is a perfect beginner project. You can do it…I promise!

Materials you will need:

Two 5.5 inch pieces of 1 x 4 poplar wood boards (ends)

Two 31.5 inch pieces of 1 x 4 poplar wood boards (sides)

*(we used poplar wood because it takes stain better than pine, if you are painting it, pine should be fine…but remember pine can tend to shrink and may split easier when putting nails into)

30 inches of 1 x 6 a pine wood boards (base)

hammer

nails

wood glue

wood putty

clamps

sand paper

stain or paint

Polyurethane

Directions:

The overall dimensions of our finished box is 31.5 inches long x 7 inches wide x 3.5 inches tall. Depending on your needs, you may want to adjust your measurements accordingly.

1. Cut your wood base 30 inches in length. We used a 1 x 6 pine board.

2. Cut TWO end pieces of a 1 x 4 poplar wood board. We cut them so that they were 5.5 inches to match the actual width of the pine board.

3. Attach the end pieces to the ends of the base. Be sure that they sit evenly with the base. Add some wood glue and then throw a couple of nails on each end of the 5.5 inch pieces. Let glue dry according to your glue’s drying time.

4. Cut TWO side pieces of a 1 x 4 poplar wood board so that they measure 31.5 inches (which should fit flush with the ends of the box). Attach to the sides of the base and the end pieces with some glue first and then some nails to secure the hold. Use clamps if needed and allow your glue to dry.

5. Fill nail holes with wood putty and let it dry. Sand down any excess wood putty and your box to smooth out any rough edges or spots.

6. Wipe your box down with a damp cloth to remove all dust.

6. Now you are ready to paint or stain your box. I decided to stain mine a darker color to go with my dark wood floors. I used a Minwax stain called Red Mahogany. I used a couple of coats to get the color I wanted. Then I added a couple of coats of a satin finish Polyurethane.

These boxes are great because it can be used for so many other projects or home décor items. You can also build one to fit perfectly in your own space by adjusting the measurements of the wood you use and cut.

As always, I would love to see if any of you end up making one for your home! Wouldn’t these also make a great Hostess or Christmas gift? And if you have any wood scraps lying around like we did, this is a VERY inexpensive project!

November 9, 2012 · Filed under: DIY Tutorials, Home Decor, Thanksgiving Tagged with

Thanksgiving Projects and Ideas

5 Comments

Are you new to The Idea Room? Need some fun ideas for Thanksgiving? Check out some of the pasThanksgiving Crafts:

Idea Room Thanksgiving Recipes and Craft Ideas.

You can click on the link or you can always find access to this list under the Projects tab on The Idea Room header.

Also…I have a fun little November Photo-A-Day Challenge going on right now. If you haven’t heard about it or joined in, we would love to have you! Latecomers are always welcome. You can find all the details for how to join in and play along with us by clicking on the link:

The Idea Room’s Grateful Gram Challenge