How To Paint a Holiday Table Runner

Hi there! I was unpacking a few holidays things and came across this holiday table runner I painted last year as a guest project for Sand and Sisal.

I love finding holidays decorations I’ve totally forgotten about! It’s like Christmas has come early!

I painted this holiday table runner for the sitting room attached to my studio because I decorate in whites and turquoises downstairs but couldn’t find anything ready-made that I liked.

A little paint, a stencil, clipart and some thrift store fabric and now I have the perfect table runner, just the way I want it. While I used a deer and snowflakes, you might want a different theme. And maybe you want burgundy and gold instead of turquoise and silver. You can paint it any way you want to!

So let me show you how to paint a holiday table runner. I’ve included a Supply List at the bottom of the post.

After I decided on the length and width of the runner, I cut it to size, allowing for a hem on all four sides. Then I simply used iron-on adhesive to hem it. My sewing days are long, long gone but as long as I have this stuff, I can make almost anything I want!

For this project you’ll need a snowflake stencil and my deer pattern. Click on the link and you can download it in any size you want. I’ve also included a photo at the bottom of this post that you can right-click and save to your computer if you choose to do it that way.

To transfer the deer pattern I use graphite paper, available in any art or craft store. You could also rub a pencil on the back of the pattern, then take a stylus or a ball point pen and trace the outline onto your fabric in the desired position.

On the right is the transferred image. Now we just need to paint it!

Insert a piece of cardboard behind the fabric to prevent any bleed-through’s and secure the fabric to the cardboard with painter’s tape.

Now you simply color in the pattern. I use as big as brush as possible because it holds more paint, but not so big that I can’t control it. I outlined the deer body with a #6 flat then filled in with a large 3/4 brush. The legs were painted with the #6 and the scrolled antlers with a liner brush. Basically use what works for you, ok? I did not use textile medium simple because metallic paint glides nicely and I didn’t see the need.

You might need two coats of metallic paint for the deer to get a high shine effect, depending upon your fabric. Fabrics absorb paint so some of the sheen is lost unless you apply two or more coats.

I stenciled two different snowflakes, one white and the other silver. For the white one above, I applied white paint with a foam brush (although you can use any brush you want) then a glitter paint over that, without moving the stencil. Wipe both sides of the stencil after each snowflake to prevent over-painting.

For the silver snowflake I stenciled with a silver metallic paint and then a silver glitter, using a foam brush as above.

That’s it! Seriously easy, even if you’re not a veteran painter. When the paint is completely dried, heat-set it by ironing your design, using a press cloth between the iron and the table runner. Once the paint is heat-set, it’s washable.If your fabric is washable, then your runner will be too.

The glitter paint adds a just little sparkle, without going overboard.

I tend to gather all sorts of sparkly stuff for my holiday tables (and change it around all the time), which is why I left the center portion of the runner blank.

The metallic paint adds a beautiful quality to the fabric. It certainly doesn’t look handpainted.

Just the right touch to lighten and brighten my dark little sitting room and I love the deer and snowflakes.

I have to admit, I haven’t felt much like decorating for the holidays this year. I know it’s going to be a tough one. Even though it’s part of my job, the Spirit just hasn’t moved me yet. Finding this little table runner made a big difference though and now I’m painting other holiday projects.

Not sure if they’ll make if for 2014 or not, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is, I’m moving forward, working, creating . . . living.

Oh, I still have those days where I want to just pull the covers over my head and sleep for a week but a certain little boston terrier will be having none of that.

One thing I’m working on – ssshhh, it’s a secret right now – are some videos.

I know, I know . . . I’ve been threatening to do some for a year now. But I really am making them. They just take me a little longer to shoot and then edit. What I’m really excited about though is I’m starting to demonstrate some watercolors.

Crazy, huh?

I just started painting with watercolors last summer! So trust me, these are not difficult or involved tutorials. Just some fun stuff that I think you’ll like.

So even if you don’t see me as often as I’d like, I’m here, I’m doing my best to build my new life.

My boss – the boston terrier – will have it no other way.

Thanks for all the love and understanding during this tough time. You guys keep me going, whether you realize it or not. You do.

Well, you and Sadie.

Colleen

about Colleen

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Supply List

• Fabric for runner (standard runners are 18” wide but I made mine 22”)
• Iron-on adhesive or sewing machine
• cardboard
• painter’s tape
• Deer Pattern
• snowflake stencil
• graphite paper
• stylus or ball point pen
• paint brushes – one liner, #6, 3/4 flat
• two foam brushes

Paints – all are Martha Stewart Craft Paints

• Aquarium – light turquoise metallic
• Wedding Cake – white
• Sterling – metallic silver
• Sterling – silver glitter paint
• Sugar Cube – white glitter paint