Vintage Ticking and Dropcloth Runner

A simple table runner that works perfect for Fall or really everyday...vintage blue striped ticking and a dropcloth ruffle.  Months ago I came across some fabric remnants at the thrift store.  Included in the bundle were 3 different ticking pieces.  This blue striped ticking was the perfect width for a table runner but I needed to add some length for it to drape over the edges of the table.

Scrounging through my stash of fabric, I came across some extra pieces of a drop cloth.  They were leftover from my attempt to make slipcovers for our chairs in the kitchen.

NOTE:  There will not be a post on the slipcovers later.  Nor photos.  It's just too soon to talk about.

Back to the runner...I'm really not a seamstress.  I do own a sewing machine only because there is no driver's test to take before purchasing one.

However, no one was harmed and this project was pretty easy.

I made a simple hem stitch to the sides of the ticking for a finished look.  I do like raw edges in decorating but the raw edge on this old fabric was not attractive in any form.

You will need two pieces of the dropcloth, one for each end.  In figuring the width measurement of dropcloth to create the ruffle, I doubled the width of the ticking.  This will make a nice soft ruffle.  The greater the ratio of runner to ruffle, the fuller your ruffle will be.

I'm sure there is an official way to create a ruffle with the sewing machine but most of my projects follow anything but official methods.  My right brain doesn't always "play well with others" when it comes to listening to the left brain give instructions.  So, right brain comes up with its own version.  It's how we roll.

Creating the ruffle for right brainers - set your sewing machine stitch length to the longest setting.  Sew a straight stitch from one end to the other of the fabric. This is done before attaching the ruffle to the ticking.  You are sewing a straight line just on the end of the dropcloth.  Do not double back over your stitches.  Also, allow extra thread before starting and after finishing the stitching.

Once you clip the threads and remove from the sewing machine, simply hold one end of the threads and gently pull, working the fabric back toward the other end.  You can get the ruffles as tight or as loose as you choose.  Just be careful not to pull too hard and break your stitching.

Clear a mud?  I hope not.  Most of you probably know more about making ruffles than I do :)  The best part is if you don't get it right the first time, the stitches pull out easily and you just try again.

Repeat the ruffle stitching for the other piece.  Once you have both ruffles made, place one at each end of the runner, right side to right side.  Align the edge of the runner to the ruffle (and it will be kind of bunchy because of the ruffle stitching), then run a straight stitch from end to end.  You will want to double back on your stitches when you begin sewing and when you get to the end.  This will lock the stitches so that they don't come apart.

Now, once each end has been attached, give your runner a simple press over the seams with an iron.  Place on your table and admire your accomplishment!

Red ticking with dropcloth would be great for Christmas, Valentine's Day, Fourth of July, practically all holiday occasions.

I've had this one on my kitchen table for about a month.  It's our everyday table, where we eat all of our meals.  I like decorating the table we use because we actually get to enjoy it.

How do you decorate your everyday table?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!!  I'll be sharing this project at the Stone Gable here:

Angie