How to Iron Your Table Runners

Posted on May 3, 2010 by admin

Ethnic Table Runners

Table runners are great accessories for dining tables and other types of tables they are used for. Using table runners is a great way of making your dining area look beautiful. At the same time, it’s a way of protecting the surfaces of your tables from stains and spills that may damage them.

Table runners are available in a variety of styles, shapes and designs. They can be gotten in stores or if you are the handy type, you can make them yourself. Another great way in which a table runner can be used is during holidays or festive periods. Apart from runners for everyday use, it’s also possible to get runners with holiday themes to go with the holiday seasons. Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving are some themes that can be featured on table runners. Wedding table runners are also available for wedding ceremonies.

The proper maintenance of your runners is important. This is relevant in order to preserve them for a long time and also to properly present them in the right state. No matter how beautifully designed table runner is, if it’s not well maintained, the purpose is defeated. There are two important aspects of the maintenance of your table runners: washing and ironing. If these two tasks are properly done, the lifespan and aesthetic usefulness of your table runners would be assured.

The focus of this article is on ironing a table runner the right way. It really does matter that you ensure your runners are ironed in a fashion that preserves them. There are different types of runners and some of them include: damask table runners and satin table runners. Of course there are other types of runners and these runners also come in different colors. Whilst the colors of the runners may not be important when ironing, they are definitely important when washing them. So, back to ironing: The types of fabric used for making your runners are relevant to their proper ironing. You should keep this in mind.

It’s best that you iron your runners while they are damp. If you are using a steam iron, this may not really be necessary. Also ensure that the ironing is carried out on a hard flat board for best results. Spraying the runners with starch is also not a bad idea. Really, just iron your table runners like you would iron your most prized clothes!

Table Runners: Use Them By The Dozen!

Posted on February 9, 2010 by admin

Custom Table Runners

Table runners are making a huge comeback in the realms of interior decoration. Once thought of as traditional pieces of decoration, they are now getting increasingly popular. Since there are so many different kinds, made of different materials and better suited for different occasions, many housewives have adopted a nice new hobby: collecting table runners. It may sound like much, but any American household will benefit from owning at least a dozen of different ones, since that will allow changing the entire mood of the living room in just a few minutes.

First and foremost, you should keep three or four with themes appropriate for different holidays. Christmas table runners, Easter table runners, thanksgiving table runners and Halloween table runners; you can easily find lots of different designs covering all kinds of holidays, so you probably want to start your own selection by getting one for each holiday. Remember you’ll only be using these once a year, so even if they’re a bit expensive it’s still a good investment, since you’ll be using them for many years to come.

Second, you want to get a good set of maybe four formal table runners. They are available in beautiful fabrics (such as silk and even cashmere), some of which include the most intricate patterns you could possibly imagine. These are of course table runners that you should be using for decorative purposes only, since they can be quite expensive. For some people spending over a hundred dollars on such things may sound like a crazy idea, but for others it’s indeed a valuable decorative centerpiece and well worth its price.

Finally, you’ll also need a good set of inexpensive and practical table runners. You’ll be using these on a daily basis and they probably won’t look as good after one year or so. You might want to get some plastic table runners to use during meals (which can also serve as extended placemats), and maybe a few quilted table runners to decorate your dining room table in between meals. This will be your most frequently used set, so you should look for simple patterns and colors you like, as to make your dining room feel as comfortable as possible. Since there are so many different kinds of cheap table runners available, some people tend to buy new ones whenever they feel like going for a different style of decoration.

Making Your Own Table Runners

Posted on February 8, 2010 by admin

Holiday Table Runners

Want to add a touch of elegance to the dinner table for a special romantic occasion, or a Holiday, like Christmas? Instead of buying table runners, come up with your own idea on how make a custom one to fit your tableware and dishes that you will be using.

You can start by making a polyester or cotton table runner. For a table that will be 70 in/20in, you will need 2 ¼ yards of fabric that is 45 inches wide. You will need the same amount of fabric for the back part of the table runner as well. For the top layer of the table runner, you will need to measure out 71in/29in

For the measurements of the table runner, you will need a marking pen, a fabric cutting board, and a yard stick. Before you mark the fabric with the pen, you will need to fold the fabric in half to measure out the second pieces to make your measuring easier for you. For backing the fabric, you will need to measure out 71in/29 in of fabric. You will use your fabric pen to mark the center of each short end on both sides of the fabric. By using the yardstick, you will be drawing lines, to connect the center points of the fabric to the edge.

You will then use an iron, making sure that the edges of the fabric are firm and pointed, and that they will remain in place. If you have more than one table in your home and you would like to make two table runners for a bigger occasion, keep in mind that you would need twice the amount of fabric.

Next you will pin the front part of the table runner to the back part, making sure that the sides are running evenly together. You will need to then use a sewing machine to sew the ½ inch cut edges of the table runner to the other layer.

When you are finished sewing the table runner, use small buttons and sew them onto the corner edges of the table runner, about 1 1/1 inches away from the very tips. Use the buttons to hang tassels on the end of your table runners. You are done!

As you can see, it’s not all that hard to make your own table runners. With a little effort and some time on your hands you can have your very own custom table runner. Make it any color you want but make sure to make it perfect for the occasion. For example, a Christmas dinner party demands for a red table runner. Christmas table runners and generally holiday table runners will be an extremely attractive addition to your dining table.