This fall I’ve been on the lookout for a fall table runner or tablecloth. I wanted something simple and understated that I could add decoration to as needed. We were at Target picking up supplies for another blog post about sending a boo in the mail when I noticed a plain table runner in the One Spot section at the front of the store.
It’s a bit difficult to see in the first image below, but the linen edging has gold thread woven into it. I tossed it into my cart and started dreaming up ideas of a simple project that would turn it into my fall table runner.
What I love about this idea is that you really don’t need fancy painting skills at all. You’ll be using a fall leaf as a template to trace and paint, so if you can color within the lines, you’ve got this!
How to Paint a Simple Fall Table Runner
You will need:
One linen or muslin table runner with finished edges (You could make one as well.)
Acrylic or fabric paint in red and orange
Paintbrush
Paper plates
Leaf (to trace)
Embroidery transfer pen
Embroidery needle
Embroidery thread in matching colors (I used an orange-red and brown.)
Using a leaf as your template, trace it onto the table runner. I spaced the leaf out evenly and ended up with eight leaf templates on the runner I used. Depending on the length of your table runner and the size of the leaf used, you might need more or less.
Place a paper plate below the table runner and pour red and orange paint onto a tray. I also recommend having a glass of water nearby to help the paint move across the fabric. I used acrylics for my table runner. Outline the leaf with paint first and then dab paint throughout the interior part of the leaf. I intermittently added water to my brush to allow the paint to spread, but was careful to not do this too near the edges since the paint had a tendency to creep past the template.
Here’s an overhead shot of several of the leaves. Fall leaves are all different, so don’t try to make them look uniform. You can also try different colors if you want to be adventurous. Remember to place a paper plate under each leaf as the paint will seep through slightly. Let the table runner dry completely.
Once the table runner is dry, use two strands of brown thread to stitch the stems of the leaves. Then use one strand of an orange-red thread to stitch the outline of the leaves. No fancy stitches needed here; I just used a back stitch. Rinse the embroidery pen trace off. You can do this by using a damp paper towel and dabbing the embroidery pen areas. It will come right off.
I was so excited to see how this would look on our oak table, I took a picture before finishing all of the stitching and embroidery-transfer-pen-removing. Now all I need are some real leaves and acorns for the middle of the table. 🙂
Here’s one last close-up of this beautiful fall table runner. The colors are so vibrant and pretty.
This project was so simple and satisfying to make. 🙂 I don’t know if it was the stitching or Harry Potter but I’m already starting to feel better. If you’d like to check out some more amazing fall projects, check out this fall crafts and DIYs post. These are 20 of my favorite fall projects right now. So much goodness!
Hope you have a wonderful {and creative} day!
