Confessions of a Wannabe Seamstress: 20 Min Table Runner

I have a new obsession: making table runners! I love that these are SO SIMPLE to make, can easily be done in 30 minutes or less, and are the perfect size! They're just big enough to be a focal point on your table, but not so huge that they take up your whole table when you want to use it: like homework time (you could even leave them on for dinner!)

Once a year our church does a huge craft/project day called "Super Saturday". All the women get together and spend the day rotating around stations set up for different projects. These table runners were one of the stations at this year's Super Saturday. My friend taught me how to make them, and she learned how to make them from her mom who learned how from a craft segment on a TV show.

My friend who was teaching had TONS of table runners she had made using this pattern. She had one for every holiday and we talked about how these would make cute christmas/birthday/housewarming gifts. Table runners are such a fun way to add a pop of color to your home and buying them at the store can get expensive. I'm so excited to make more for everyday use that I can rotate throughout the year.

Materials Needed:

• 1/2 yard of fabric that will be your bottom and top trim
• 1/3 yard of fabric that will be the top pattern
• 2 buttons

First, if you have a large cutting mat and a rotor cutting tool, measure the width of of your fabric to make sure it's even (you'd be surprised how fabric gets cut all wonky and are wider in some spots.) Your 1/3 yard of fabric should be 12 inches wide. Use a rotor cutting tool to trim off any spots that aren't straight and are too wide in spots. Your 1/2 yard of fabric should be 18 inches wide. NOTE: If you don't have a cutting mat or rotor cutter borrow one from a friend (that's what I did) or you can use a measuring tape or yard stick as a guide, but it's a little trickier that way.

After your fabric is trimmed, iron the creases.

Next, with the right sides of the fabric together, pin the left edges of your fabric together--along the length.

Using a 1/4 inch seam, sew a straight line along where you pinned.

Now pull the top piece over and pin the right side along the length. Sew that edge.

After it's sewed together, flip it right-side out. You'll have a long tube. Try to adjust the trim pieces so they're even on each side, then iron the creases. (Starch helps with getting your seams to look really nice)

Now fold your fabric in half lengthwise (or if you're my middle school student I would say "hot dog") so your top piece is facing out. Pin the open edges (along the width) together.

Using a 1/4 in seam (see NOTE) sew those pieces together on both ends.

NOTE:

When sewing this I always line up the "tag" ends on both pieces of fabric together. You'll need to sew a little further in than 1/4 inch. Then, once it's sewed, I'll trim off the excess pieces so my seam isn't so big underneath.

Once that's sewed it will look something like this:

Now just flip the end pieces inside out to make your points and iron your seams.

Last, use your machine or hand sew the buttons on your runner. Or if that's not your thing, you can always use a glue gun!

Enjoy your new table runner!

Seriously, these are so quick and easy you'll want to run out and get more fabric, so make sure to have plenty on hand!

Thanksgiving Printable Roundup!

Give Thanks Subway Art--click here

Each Day I am Thankful for Subway Art in gray--click here

Each Day I am Thankful for subway art in white--click here

In everything give thanks..white--click here

In everything give thanks...striped--click here

But I think I love fall most of all--click here

Don't forget these freebie printables are available for personal use only. And check out my etsy shop to see if there's anything that help you this holiday season. I'm currently taking orders for custom Christmas Card designs. Send me an email or etsy convo for more information.  Thanks for stopping by!

November Freebie: Giving Thanks

Since this month's focus is on being thankful, I thought I'd try this saying on for size "In everything give thanks" That's hard to do. At least for me it is. Am I always remembering to give thanks? I know I take for granted many things in my life and sometimes even over look those blessings in disguise (you know the ones that make you want to tear your hair out and cry because life is so hard, but then later....you look back and realize it was all for a purpose can see the journey that experience allowed you to have).

I'm going to try to take this message to heart. I hope you do too. And don't forget to share it with others. 

 To download the white version, click HERE

To download the striped version, click HERE

And don't forget there's another holiday just around the corner, too. Check out my etsy shop to see if there's anything that could make your loved one smile this holiday season. And don't forget I design custom Christmas cards. Contact me early via an etsy convo or my email peabeedesigns@gmail.com. 

And coming up in December: a DIY tutorial for a super easy and fun stocking stuffer for any little men in your life! Make sure to check back!

November Freebie: The Forgotten Holiday

Well, Halloween is over so let's jump right into Christmas, shall we? Just kidding! In my opinion, Thanksgiving shouldn't be overlooked. Although if you look in the stores and turn on your radio, it's quickly becoming the forgotten holiday. Poor Thanksgiving. It feels sad. Not anymore! This wonderful holiday full of good food, family, and no gift expectations is the focus of this month's freebie. I LOVE subway art (if you haven't noticed hee-hee). It's so easy to pop it in a frame to add just the right touch to your holiday decor. Put it on a mantel or shelf, or even as part of your table centerpiece. Print smaller versions for place settings, to make dinner invitations or to attach to pies or food you're bringing to a holiday gathering as a gift for the host. So many possibilities--that's why I love it!

To download this print, click HERE

Oh-Kay...for those of you wanting to get a jump start on the other holiday coming up (the holiday that shall not be named on this blog until AFTER Thanksgiving), go HERE to make an easy and fun advent calendar.

Don't forget to pin, share, and like these! Spreading the word about my little shop and the freebie printables is the best way to show your appreciation for what I do (or try to do). 

I also have some spots open for holiday cards. So if you're like me and like to get your cards done early, don't wait to order your custom cards designed by yours truly. I have tons of fun backgrounds, fonts, and layouts. I'm working on one right now that has 6 pictures on it as well as room for a subway style word art with your favorite memories from 2013. It looks AWESOME and will end up being way cheaper to print than ordering from one of those photo websites.

Special Occassions

Looking for unique, personalized gifts?  These are sure to please and be treasured forever. All prints comes in a high quality JPEG file that can be printed in a variety of sizes. They are perfect for framing or for printing on canvas.

Father's Day Subway Art Print: $7

Looking for a unique gift to honor your husband, father, or grandfather on their special day? This truly one of a kind subway art print is sure to please! Can be customized with names of family members, special dates or sayings. I can also change the color scheme and add a border, if desired.

Other Holiday Prints: $5

These fun prints add personality and style to your holiday decor. Print in a large size and frame for instant art, or print in smaller sizes to use for cards or gift tags. The possibilities are endless!

 School Days Print: $5

Celebrate school in style! This fun, modern print will brighten up any classroom, preschool, or daycare. It would even look great in your home as part of your fall or back to school decor.
This would make a great teacher appreciate gift.

"Your Song" Customized Print

Looking for a unique wedding or anniversary gift? Relive the moments and emotions associated with "your song" on a daily basis with this fun wall print. Customize with your names, wedding date and the words to your song. The fonts and colors can be changed. I can also add a border if desired.

 Important Dates:

Choose up to 10 important dates. The top 2 dates represent the couples birthdates, while the colored date represents a wedding date. Other dates could include first date, first kiss, engagement, and children's birthdays. What a special and fun way to remember the important dates in your life.

This print is available in 5 different fonts and 4 different colors. Mix and Match! Is also availabe with or without a border/ with or without the saying at the bottom. This would be a great birthday, anniversary, Christmas, Mother's Day, Father's day gift...or just because!

 Mother's Subway Art print: $7

Celebrate your mother, grandmother, or great grandmother with this subway art style print. Choose your own words to describe her or use the ones in the sample. Add the names of children, grandchildren, special dates, or quotes that honor womanhood/motherhood for a truly unique gift.

Great for birthdays, Mother's Day, anniversaries, Christmas, or just because!

Baptism Subway Art Print: $5

This is a great reminder of your child's special day. Perfect as a gift for the special boy or girl from a friend or family member. This would also be a great gift from a primary presidency.

 Personalized Baptism Subway Art Print: $7

Add a little something extra to remember their special day by adding the date and ward baptized and a picture of your child. Make this extra special by using a picture of your child in their baptism outfit!

Please contact Courtney at peabeedesigns@gmail.com for questions or to order.