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DIY Hand-painted Drop Cloth Table Runner

Crafts· DIY· Drop Cloth Projects· Fall

Hey Y’all I’m excited to be planning a Welcome to Fall Dinner here at the Ponds. We plan to use the outdoor kitchen and patio area to entertain our guests and I wanted something to dress up the tables. Since the atmosphere is very casual, I decided to use table runners instead of table clothes.

Do you know how hard it is to find fall table runner’s in various lengths? Well, it’s impossible so here is how I made a DIY Hand-painted Drop Cloth Table Runner for each table. They are custom made to fit all the different table lengths for our outdoor kitchen and entertaining area. Yay!

Prepare Drop Cloth

Before you start this project, wash and dry the drop cloth. Remove from dryer while damp to avoid having to press.

First, cut your table runner’s the length and width you need from the drop cloth material. Allow about 1/2 inch on each side for hem if you plan to hem the edges of your runner.

I personally used a serger machine to stitch the raw edges and stop them from fraying. There are several options, including turning the edge under and stitching with a sewing machine. If you don’t have a sewing machine, you can use fabric glue to fold the raw edge under. Another option is to leave the edges raw and use a liquid fray block to keep it from unraveling any further.

Draw flowers on DIY Drop Cloth Table Runner

Once you have your table runners cut to size and the edges taken care of, it’s time to draw your flowers. For this step, use a dark brown or black sharpie marker with a fine point. Begin at the bottom edge of the runner and draw lines using the sharpie up the fabric at varying lengths. These will be the stems of your flowers.

See How to draw flowers and paint on drop cloth to make easy table runners.

Next, begin to draw the flowers themselves. Begin in the center of each flower and draw a swirling circle for the flower’s center. Then, draw larger swirling circles for the petals. I like to make some more round and other’s more oval in shape.

This is a fast process and the flowers can be messy because no two should be identical.

See how to draw flower on drop cloths.

Hand Paint the Flowers on the table runner

For the next step, you will need to determine the colors for your flowers. I choose blue, orange and yellow. I choose to use Chalk Paint for the hand painted flowers because it’s pliable and doesn’t require a fabric medium. If you use regular craft paint, add a fabric medium so the table runner’s will not be stiff where painted.

Using chalk paint mixed with water, you can make your own hand painted drop cloth table runners.

Mix you paint with water at approximately a 50/50 ratio. You will want to see through the paint once it’s applied to the flowers. Using the same swirling motion, paint each flower. There is no need to stay within the lines as you paint. Allow your brush to just float over the drawn flowers.

see how to paint flowers on drop cloth.

In addition to the flowers, add a few leaves to the stems. For these, I used just a dab of brown craft paint to each leaf.

How to hand paint on drop cloth to make fun table runners.

DIY Hand-painted Drop cloth Table runner Finished

Once the paint is dry, you can place your new DIY Hand-painted Drop Cloth Table Runner on the table. I can’t wait to use the cute table runner’s at my fall event.

How to make these easy DIY Hand Painted Table Runner's from Drop Cloth Material. Simple instructions and fun craft to make for fall decorating.

You will also like this hand painted pumpkin pillow cover tutorial.

How to make these easy DIY Hand Painted Table Runner's from Drop Cloth Material. Simple instructions and fun craft to make for fall decorating.

The colors work perfectly with the chair cushions that I use in the outdoor kitchen.

(Affiliate links are used for your convenience. Read my full disclosure  here. )

If you’d like to see more about the outdoor kitchen entertaining area, you can see before and after here.

Drop Cloth Craft Project - Easy DIY painted table runners.

Note: Heat Set Table Runner – Place a piece of fabric or towel over the painted area once it is completely dry. Use a hot iron to press over the entire painted area. You can now hand wash your table runner safely.

How to make these easy DIY Hand Painted Table Runner's from Drop Cloth Material. Simple instructions and fun craft to make for fall decorating.

Click here to see how to make tassels to add to the table runners. If you’d like to see how I planned for this party click here and here are the table arrangement details.




You can see how I made the Earthenware Vessel from a thrift store find here.

Easy Step by Step craft instructions to make DIY Hand Painted Table Runner's from Drop Cloth Material. Simple instructions and fun craft to make for fall decorating.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I look forward to sharing my next adventure with you.

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How to make these easy DIY Hand Painted Table Runner's from Drop Cloth Material. Simple instructions and fun craft to make for fall decorating.

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Comments

  3. deezie says

    Good Morning Rachel
    LOVE LOVE LOVE this. I just adore your sweet flowers you painted on this wonderful runner. What a great idea to make them yourself since you couldn’t find what you were looking for. It looks great on your outdoor table. Your guests will think you purchased it
    have a great day Rachel
    deezie

    Reply

  4. Cindy@CountyRoad407 says

    I was wondering what I was going to do with my extra drop cloths! Excellent tutorial. Hope my drawing skills are as fabulous as yours! Crossing my fingers AND toes! Pinned. 🙂 BTW, you totally need to put this on the Farmhouse Friday Link Party – just sayin. 😉

    Reply

  11. PC says

    I may try this with drawing autumn leaves on the runner – I need something to donate to the holiday bazaar this year. first, one for me!!!

    Reply

  13. Julie says

    OOh I so LOVE this simplicity! Already started sketching these flowers on paper and finding I can do this! Plus I’ve taken it a step further in making a butterfly in having five together and drawing out the antenna! Either way, THANK YOU as this will also be a drawing I do on envelopes when sending cards. Shall never forget this inspiration!!

    Reply

  14. Michele M. (Finch Rest) says

    WOW!! Great tutorial – I think I may try this one day soon. Yours is just perfect choices of colors and style. Well done. Thank you for the inspiration!

    Visiting from over at Thistlewood Farm’s “Thistlekeeping.” Glad to have found you!

    Reply

    • rahrags@gmail.com says

      Shari,
      Yes, I would press the image with a hot iron before using. Be sure to place a barrier layer of another fabric between the image and the iron to be safe. The paint could stick to the iron so the barrier layer is important to protect the iron as well as your painted image.
      Rachel

      Reply

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