Burlap is a star of the crafting world because of its durability, easy-on-the-wallet per yard price point and ability to harmonize with any color. It also adds a rustic country feel to whatever it covers or embellishes. The farmhouse décor craze has added to burlap's massive popularity.
One important thing to remember is that burlap is pretty stiff right off the bolt when first bought. Some steps to take that make working with burlap easier include washing, drying and ironing it before using it for a craft project. Once it’s easy to manipulate, crafters can get to work and use it to beautify countless objects and make new ones. Burlap offers a homey warmth to every space in the home, from family room to bedroom, and holds a prized place when decorating for the holidays as well.
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Rustic table topper
Table runners strike a happy medium between a plain dining table and a formal tablecloth. A burlap table runner adds a cozy farm feel to a table, especially when combined with a pot of yellow and rust-toned mums. Simply cut a piece of burlap to a little under 2 feet in width, and make sure there’s whatever overlap length desired on either end of the table. Create a loose fringe boarder on each end of the runner by pulling strings. Starting at the outside of each side of the runner’s ends, take about half a dozen of the strings created and tie a knot so it’s close to the runner’s edge. Work to the middle and the runner now has tassels -- an unexpected visual treat.
Table runners strike a happy medium between a plain dining table and a formal tablecloth. A burlap table runner adds a cozy farm feel to a table, especially when combined with a pot of yellow and rust-toned mums. Simply cut a piece of burlap to a little under 2 feet in width, and make sure there’s whatever overlap length desired on either end of the table. Create a loose fringe boarder on each end of the runner by pulling strings. Starting at the outside of each side of the runner’s ends, take about half a dozen of the strings created and tie a knot so it’s close to the runner’s edge. Work to the middle and the runner now has tassels -- an unexpected visual treat.
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Second life
Burlap is easy to use for simple recovering projects, like remaking a thrift store ottoman. Cut the burlap to size and staple in place. If desired, add inexpensive and easy to obtain upholstery tacks in gold or silver. The result is a piece that is inviting and comfortable.
Burlap is easy to use for simple recovering projects, like remaking a thrift store ottoman. Cut the burlap to size and staple in place. If desired, add inexpensive and easy to obtain upholstery tacks in gold or silver. The result is a piece that is inviting and comfortable.
Christmas cheer
Burlap Christmas stockings are simple to make and give the actual fire a run for its money in terms of adding charm to a hearth. Just cut two stocking-shaped pieces of burlap in the desired size and sew together, leaving the top open. Let them remain simple and plain, or decorate as desired with big colorful buttons, ribbon, pompoms or lace.
Burlap Christmas stockings are simple to make and give the actual fire a run for its money in terms of adding charm to a hearth. Just cut two stocking-shaped pieces of burlap in the desired size and sew together, leaving the top open. Let them remain simple and plain, or decorate as desired with big colorful buttons, ribbon, pompoms or lace.
Green thumb
With a bit of burlap and some coco fiber liner (material made from coconut husks that comes in a bowl shape is affordable and available at home stores; it's used in planters to keep soil moist and ventilated), softly shaped outdoor planters can be fashioned in no time. Just fill the coco liner with potting soil, add flowers of choice and place on top of a large square of burlap. Use colored or patterned fabric strips to gather the burlap, and tie at the top so the plants appear to be popping out of the soft-sided planter -- cut away any excess burlap.
With a bit of burlap and some coco fiber liner (material made from coconut husks that comes in a bowl shape is affordable and available at home stores; it's used in planters to keep soil moist and ventilated), softly shaped outdoor planters can be fashioned in no time. Just fill the coco liner with potting soil, add flowers of choice and place on top of a large square of burlap. Use colored or patterned fabric strips to gather the burlap, and tie at the top so the plants appear to be popping out of the soft-sided planter -- cut away any excess burlap.
Organizational tool
Give a ho-hum bulletin board an instant uplift by covering with burlap. Take a piece of burlap that is a bit larger than the bulletin board itself. Use upholstery tacks to affix burlap to the board, and place them so they’re visible on the front. Place the tacks in a pattern, or simply follow the shape of the board. Staple the excess burlap to the back of the board and hang. There’s no prettier place for coupons, postcards and school forms.
Give a ho-hum bulletin board an instant uplift by covering with burlap. Take a piece of burlap that is a bit larger than the bulletin board itself. Use upholstery tacks to affix burlap to the board, and place them so they’re visible on the front. Place the tacks in a pattern, or simply follow the shape of the board. Staple the excess burlap to the back of the board and hang. There’s no prettier place for coupons, postcards and school forms.
Window to the world
Plenty of crafters are not necessarily skilled seamstresses, and this project is custom-made for them. Burlap no-sew curtains give lots of design bang for the buck while requiring little time investment. The key ingredient is Stitch Witchery, an inexpensive product that comes on a thin roll and is readily available at craft stores. Cut a piece to the desired length, and place on burlap where a hem is desired. Ironing causes the Stitch Witchery to fuse with the fabric so the pieces are connected, as sewing would. Fold fabric over it, and a loop will be created to slide the curtain rod through. Leave edges unfinished for an informal look. The neutral color of burlap makes these curtains work with every wall color.
Plenty of crafters are not necessarily skilled seamstresses, and this project is custom-made for them. Burlap no-sew curtains give lots of design bang for the buck while requiring little time investment. The key ingredient is Stitch Witchery, an inexpensive product that comes on a thin roll and is readily available at craft stores. Cut a piece to the desired length, and place on burlap where a hem is desired. Ironing causes the Stitch Witchery to fuse with the fabric so the pieces are connected, as sewing would. Fold fabric over it, and a loop will be created to slide the curtain rod through. Leave edges unfinished for an informal look. The neutral color of burlap makes these curtains work with every wall color.
Take your place
Place cards are a welcoming touch at a holiday table, and these burlap markers identify who sits where in a more familiar, less “Downton Abbey” way. Take wooden clothespins and glue strips of burlap to the outer sides of each one. Add stripes or polka dots with paint if desired. Cut small rectangles the size of business cards from white poster board, and calligraphy the names of dinner guests on each one. Set the clothespin on the table upside-down, and pinch the cards in between pieces that typically hold clothing.
Place cards are a welcoming touch at a holiday table, and these burlap markers identify who sits where in a more familiar, less “Downton Abbey” way. Take wooden clothespins and glue strips of burlap to the outer sides of each one. Add stripes or polka dots with paint if desired. Cut small rectangles the size of business cards from white poster board, and calligraphy the names of dinner guests on each one. Set the clothespin on the table upside-down, and pinch the cards in between pieces that typically hold clothing.
Relaxation response
Lavender is not only lovely to look at, but its scent also has a calming effect. To make a small sachet for a bedside table or to keep in dresser drawers, cut a square of burlap to about a 6” by 12” in size. Fold and hot glue sides so a top pocket is formed. Fill the pocket with dried lavender, then hot glue the opening. Before gluing and filling with lavender, edges can be left plain or frayed by pulling some threads.
Lavender is not only lovely to look at, but its scent also has a calming effect. To make a small sachet for a bedside table or to keep in dresser drawers, cut a square of burlap to about a 6” by 12” in size. Fold and hot glue sides so a top pocket is formed. Fill the pocket with dried lavender, then hot glue the opening. Before gluing and filling with lavender, edges can be left plain or frayed by pulling some threads.
Gallery wall
Burlap wall art can be customized in as many ways as there are aesthetic preferences. Cover an inexpensive stretched canvas from an arts and crafts store with burlap, and staple to the back of the wooden canvas frame. Use fabric paint to apply stripes, letters and other designs, or hot glue shells, small pebbles or other small decorative objects from nature to customize.
Burlap wall art can be customized in as many ways as there are aesthetic preferences. Cover an inexpensive stretched canvas from an arts and crafts store with burlap, and staple to the back of the wooden canvas frame. Use fabric paint to apply stripes, letters and other designs, or hot glue shells, small pebbles or other small decorative objects from nature to customize.
Sleepy time
Make a dust ruffle with a country flair by cutting a long length of burlap -- enough so that it will easily run the length of the sides and end of the mattress. Using upholstery tacks, secure the top edge to the box spring top. The more burlap used, the more folds and overlap there can be, which will give the dust ruffle a more extravagant look. Or choose to cut the burlap to fit with less excess, and the look will be crisp and tailored.
Make a dust ruffle with a country flair by cutting a long length of burlap -- enough so that it will easily run the length of the sides and end of the mattress. Using upholstery tacks, secure the top edge to the box spring top. The more burlap used, the more folds and overlap there can be, which will give the dust ruffle a more extravagant look. Or choose to cut the burlap to fit with less excess, and the look will be crisp and tailored.
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On point centerpiece
These burlap bowls look like they came straight out of the MOMA gift store. They can easily be made using a large glass mixing bowl as a template, some polyurethane and a round piece of burlap cut to fit the bowl’s upper edge. Wrap the bowl in plastic wrap. Using a paintbrush, apply polyurethane to the inside of the wrapped bowl. Place the cut-to-fit round piece of burlap inside, and coat with another layer of polyurethane. Let dry completely, remove burlap form from the bowl and the result is an impossibly sophisticated centerpiece. Fill with fruit or leave empty for a beautiful minimalist look.
These burlap bowls look like they came straight out of the MOMA gift store. They can easily be made using a large glass mixing bowl as a template, some polyurethane and a round piece of burlap cut to fit the bowl’s upper edge. Wrap the bowl in plastic wrap. Using a paintbrush, apply polyurethane to the inside of the wrapped bowl. Place the cut-to-fit round piece of burlap inside, and coat with another layer of polyurethane. Let dry completely, remove burlap form from the bowl and the result is an impossibly sophisticated centerpiece. Fill with fruit or leave empty for a beautiful minimalist look.