Table Runner {with pockets} Click image to enlarge Designer: May Flaum When my daughter was in the hospital a few weeks back I wished that I'd had some kind of fabric do-hicky that I could drape over the bedside table. Something with some pockets that I could put the book I was reading and maybe a few other little things inside. Then when I got home I thought how great something like that would be draped over the little TV table to hold the girls tiny toys when they were stuck on the sofa being sick. I also wanted something to put on my bedside table for my nightly ritual of reading before bed. That's when I dreamed this up. I saw a table runner at the store and thought "if I had that, I could just add pockets!" Of course! The best part is that this project is 100% customizable to your needs and preferences. I already have both of my daughters begging for them, and since this is a quick and easy project that even I (the worst sewing enthusiast I know) can do, I'm getting right on it.
You will need to either weight it or just put something heavy on top to balance the weight of stuff in the pockets - other than that just enjoy this simple project! If you'd like to win a new pair of scissors and a few other goodies pop by my blog - I'm doing a give away in honor of national sewing month! Difficulty rating
Instructions (Print version)
1. Cut two pieces of fabric the same size - I made mine 14" wide and used the full width of the fabric (about 42"). My fabrics are damask (by Heidi Grace for JoAnn Fabrics) and brown with polka dots. Just keep in mind that whatever size you make it, you'll be shortening it by about an inch depending on how close to the edge you sew. 2. Cut out fabric for pockets. You can make them any size - just keep in mind that if you want them to span the entire width you'll need to add a little extra so it can be stitched in with the front and back base fabrics. I sized mine with paperback books in mind. large blue pocket: 8 x 16 brown polka dot mini-pocket: about 6 x 16 (folded in 1/2 to create a 3 x 14 finished pocket with stitching to make divisions) small blue pocket: 6 x 9 with a piece of polka dot fabric behind it slightly larger, trimmed with pinking shears 3. Stamp Vintage Farmhouse large image (use staz-on ink) onto blue fabric randomly and lightly so that the pattern will only show up a little.
4. Assemble small blue pocket and stitch in desired spot on the damask patterned fabric. NOTE: I stitched the brown polka dot small fabric strip/pockets on as an afterthought when my project was finished. I suggest sewing it into place on the blue large pocket before you assemble - it will be much easier. 5. Sew a length of lace onto large blue pocket, randomly folding it slightly to give a ruffled look. 6. Place the large blue pocket (with brown strip sewn on) in place on the damask fabric strip, then place the polka dot large fabric strip on top of it - right side facing in. This will leave you with the WRONG sides of the fabrics facing out. Sew together around side with the pockets and two long sides, leaving the fourth side open. Turn right side out. 7. The brown fabric was about an inch longer than the damask (from a wider fabric) so I simply folded it over and ran a stitch through the end to seal off the runner. If you wanted to have this work without having a lamp or anything set on top of it, now would be the time to stick pebbles, beans, or other weights into this far end to offset the heaviness that will come with filling pockets at the other end.
8. Complete this project by stitching on a few pretty roses, and adding some supportive stitching to the large pocket at the top edges (this will be hidden by the lace).
note: After this project was complete I felt like stuff was flopping around too much so I hand stitched just a few loops through at the top center of the large pocket. This created two openings for the same large pocket and I'm very happy with that result.
Supplies: http://fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_razor-edged-no-8-bent-softgrip-sci.aspx http://fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_comfort-grip-45mm-rotary-cutter.aspx http://fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_35-x-185-easy-to-read-ruler.aspx http://fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_12-in-1-multi-tool.aspx http://fiskarscrafts.com/tools/t_stamps8x8-farmhouse.aspx other: fabric, thread, flowers by Prima, lace ribbon |
