DIY Quick Sew Christmas Table Runner Tutorial...

As you are all lovin' 

the DIY Table runner post with the beach theme so much, 

I thought that I would create a step-by-step photo tutorial for you.

Let's make one in a fun red and white Christmas-themed fabric. 

First step:

WASH the fabric.

Now I'm telling you this because I previously made a gorgeous runner, washed it AFTER making, and it shrank two sizes!!!

So ALWAYS wash the fabric BEFORE sewing it.

Step two:

Iron the fabric.

Fold the fabric in half lengthways.

Measure your table length.
Work out the length to fit your table.

Cut fabric to the length required, allowing at least 5cm extra each end for hemming.

 With right sides together pin across top of fabric 
and down the length side.

Sew. 

Turn out to right side. 
At this stage, it is like a huge long pillowcase.
Use a chopstick or blunt-end knitting needle to poke the corners out. 
Iron again so seems are even.

At the bottom opening fold a seam inwards as shown. 

 Press with iron and then pin with seams perfectly matching.

Pin it and sew.
On the other end, sew it exactly the same, so that each end looks top-stitched.
Press again with your iron.

 Place on your table.
(Aren't those reindeer just the cutest?)

Add a centerpiece. 

 And there you have it...

 A super simple table runner

Custom-made the DIY way to fit your dining table.

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you can join for free HERE.

#homesewn #diytablerunner

Christmas table centrepiece, and the berry dilemma...

You know how sometimes you throw together some decor pieces...and it just works!

It looks perfect.

 It is exactly what you had in your mind's eye.

THEN a disaster strikes.

Well, that is exactly what happened with the Christmas table centrepiece!
So let's start the story from the beginning...

Take one gorgeous, chippy French-looking handmade bowl.

Some beach-found wee pine cone like seedpods.

(Perfect for the bowl.)

A candle found up in the cupboard, some red berries in the Christmas 'bits' box.
Put it all together, and the vignette was lovely.

Simple, a little Frenchy, a whole lot wonky 

(a little like my tin can wreath on the front porch - find out more about that HERE), and rustic.

I loved it!

So it was placed on the table.

But over the next few days, berries were discovered in various places throughout the house.

And then one got chewed, sigh.

And then another one.

The kitty fur babies (alias the Christmas Grinches) 
had taken a particular liking to the red Christmas berries.

So I began to rethink my centrepiece design.
But the berry novelty quickly waned; perhaps it was the polystyrene plastic taste, as only two got chewed in the end.
Chewing shiny red done and dusted, the new game became 'roll the little pinecones'!
I LOVE the wee bowl dressed in all its merry glory.
And so it has remained the same.
Though I am not sure how many pine cones will actually survive to see Christmas Day.

The reindeer table runner was finally sewn, and with the bowl, it looks fabulous for Christmas!

Visit HERE for the step-by-step photo tutorial 
on how to make the DIY Quick Sew Christmas Table Runner.

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#DIYchristmasdecorideas #christmasdecor

A Christmas tree in a red tin bucket, AND Yes - it's another Cushion...

Cushion passion... 

Cushion addiction...

Cushion love... 

Cushion craziness...

leads to self questioning moments of:  

Do I really need another cushion? 

And the answer my friends is ALWAYS  

- YES!

And here is the latest addition 

to the ever growing cushion collection:

Can you see why it was so irresistible?

Thank you Spotlight,

It's Christmas words are perfect 

for the Christmas season...

That cushion is almost as cute as the wee Christmas tree,

that sits proudly on the hearth,

 in the bright red tin bucket,

with the big burlap bow.

You'll find the bow tutorial here:

http://miabellapassion.blogspot.co.nz/2014/11/simple-burlap-tree-bows.html

This tree is PICEA glauca 'Conica'.
It is a dwarf evergreen dense, cone shaped conifer with bright green foliage.
It's very slow growing and perfectly shaped.
It will grow to one metre  over 10 years!
So that means it would be fab in a large pot, 
or even as a bonsai.

Loving Christmas decor!

For updates about the latest blog posts,

you can join for free HERE.

#Christmasdecorideas #christmasdiy