Easy Citrus Table Runner DIY: Drop Cloth Fabric Project

Do you ever have a specific image in your mind but can’t find it in the store? I’ve been planning our Cinco de Mayo supper club party and know exactly what I want my table runner to look like. I wanted a table runner to pull my festive table together, but I couldn’t find what I had in mind. Using real limes as a stamp, I created this fun table runner. It will be perfect for a Cinco De Mayo tablescape. This fun table runner helps to anchor all the pieces and makes the table setting flow together. Let me show you how to make it.

Table Runner DIY Project for Cinco de Mayo

My Supper Club friends and I are sharing tablescapes for Cinco De Mayo this week. We plan a theme for our tables each month and create a menu to share with you. Before we share the table settings, I wanted to share this easy table runner DIY project.

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Drop Cloth Fabric Table Runner Tutorial

First, cut a length of drop cloth fabric 15 x 60 inches. Your size may vary depending on your table. I wanted a good length of the runner to drop off the table edge.

Next, wash your drop cloth fabric so that the edges will fray and create a fringe. In addition, I used bleach to lighten the fabric. This step is optional.

Once the fabric has dried, cut off any excess strings and press your runner until the fabric is smooth. You should have a good amount of fringe around the edges, however if you desire more, you can easily pull more stings to create a wider fringe.

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Stamp your Fabric

Now you are ready to begin stamping the fabric with your fruit. I wanted to stamp limes for my Cinco De Mayo table runner. There are two things I discovered when I began this project.

1. Limes didn’t create as dramatic an effect as lemons. So I used lemon slices instead. No one can tell it was stamped with lemons.
2. Press out as much moisture from the lemon slices as possible without damaging the shape of the delicate membrane. If there is too much moisture, the paint will not adhere correctly.

Supplies Needed

• Drop Cloth Table Runner
• Fruit cut into desired shapes ( I used Lemons instead of actual limes. )
• Acrylic Paint in desired colors (Lime Green)
• Wax Paper
• Art Paint Brushes

Begin Stamping

Lay your drop cloth out and place a protective barrier between the fabric and your table. I used a length of wax paper which was a perfect fit. Pour paint onto a flat surface such as a paper plate.

Press the fruit slice into the paint and press off any excess onto another area on the plate. Then press onto the fabric in random areas until the paint needs to be replenished.

Alternate shapes and placement until the table runner has the desired amount of stamps. Once you have the area covered, you can use a small art brush to randomly fill in areas that didn’t stamp well.

You don’t want to make the shapes perfect so use a light hand when making any adjustments.

The table runner was just the perfect accent for my Cinco De Mayo tablescape. I look forward to sharing the full table ideas with you here. In addition, check out all our Cinco de Mayo recipes in this post.

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.

Cinco de Mayo Tablescape

The table runner looks perfect on this Cinco de Mayo Tablescape. Don’t miss all the details. Just click on the highlighted name.

A Fall Table Runner DIY Project

Last fall, I created hand-painted table runners for our outdoor kitchen tables.

These were also made using drop cloth fabrics. Please review the full tutorial.

One of my favorite table runner projects was using coffee filters to make a festive garland. Although I used the garland during the holidays, it would be a perfect project for a spring table and for weddings & showers.

DIY Floral Garland table runner made from Coffee Filters

Y’all have seen my DIY Table Riser on several tables now. It isn’t exactly a table runner, but it serves the same purpose of anchoring the table setting.

It was another easy project, but did require a few tools.

More Tableware DIY Projects You Can Make

• How to Paint Flour Sack Napkins
• How to Make DIY Flower-Shaped Placemats from Burlap
• DIY Burlap Napkin Rings Tutorial
• Pottery Barn Inspired Leaf Napkin Rings
• How to make DIY Ticking Patriotic Napkins

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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