• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Polka Dot Chair logo

  • SEWING
    • Free Sewing Patterns
    • Bag Patterns
    • Costumes
    • Apparel
    • Learn to Sew
    • Beginner Friendly
    • Embroidery Projects
    • Tips & Techniques
    • All Sewing
  • QUILTING
    • Quilt Blocks
    • Learn to Quilt
    • Free Patterns
    • Quilt Patterns
    • All Quilting
  • CRAFTS
    • Disney
    • Cricut
    • Printables
    • All Crafts
  • HOLIDAYS
    • Seasonal Projects
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Easter
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • All Holidays
  • TUTORIALS
  • ABOUT
    • About Me
    • My Fabric Collections
    • Published Books
    • Press
    • FAQ’s
    • Contact
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • SHOP
menu icon
go to homepage
  • SHOP
  • TUTORIALS
  • SEWING
  • QUILTING
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • CRAFTS
  • HOLIDAY PROJECTS
  • ABOUT
    • Published Books
    • My Fabric Collections
  • CONTACT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • SHOP
    • TUTORIALS
    • SEWING
    • QUILTING
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • CRAFTS
    • HOLIDAY PROJECTS
    • ABOUT
      • Published Books
      • My Fabric Collections
    • CONTACT
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Holidays » Halloween

    DIY Stenciled Spooky Burlap Table Runner

    Updated: Aug 19, 2022 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 39 Comments

    Use a bit of paint, burlap, and freezer paper to DIY a cute Pottery Barn-inspired Halloween table runner with our free tutorial!

    I’m a big fan of Pottery Barn’s Halloween decorations! A few years ago they had a burlap table runner for sale as soon as I saw it I thought “hey, I can make that”. Using some burlap, paint, and a Cricut Machine, I was able to quickly DIY my own Halloween Table runner.

    Let me show you how I did it!

    burlap table runner on black table with halloween decorations

    I’m excited to share this super simple Spooky table runner with you today!

    Table of Contents
    • Supplies
    • Prep
    • Step One: Sew the Burlap
    • Step Two: Cut Out Freezer Paper Stencil
    • Step Three: Apply Freezer Paper to Burlap
    • Step Four: Spray
    • Step Five: Sew the Runner
    • You may Also Like:

    The runner is made from burlap and goes together very quickly!

    Supplies

    • Burlap
    • Unbleached cotton or muslin (some cheap fabric to line the runner with)
    • Freezer paper
    • Spray Paint
    • Some type of e-cutter (i.e. Cricut) or an Exacto knife.

    Prep

    The first thing you want to do is decide what size to make your runner. I decided to make the finished size mine 11″x88″ (I have a long table).

    The great thing about this project is that you can make it any size you need! You can also save some time and purchase an already made burlap table runner.

    Step One: Sew the Burlap

    Cut your burlap WIDER than you want it. For example, since I wanted my runner to be 11″ wide, I cut the burlap 12.5″ wide. Burlap is very tricky to work with and can easily fray-  so if you cut it wider, it will give you some wiggle room with the finished project.

    Then cut your lining material 1″ wider than your finished runner.

    Step Two: Cut Out Freezer Paper Stencil

    We are going to use a technique known as Freezer Paper Stenciling to create this project.

    Next, with the shiny side of the freezer paper facing down, cut out your design.  I used a Cricut on a regular paper setting, and it worked fine. If you don’t have an e-cutter, you can easily cut freezer paper with an Exacto knife.

    Remove the design- discard- for this project you want the negative of the design.

    Step Three: Apply Freezer Paper to Burlap

    Iron the design onto your burlap where you want it. The shiny side of the freezer paper melts and sticks to the fabric.

    For my design, I put one design in the center and then one design on each end.

    Make sure you cover the rest of the burlap with extra freezer paper. The spray paint has quite a bit of overspray. Don’t skip this step!!

    Step Four: Spray

    Using a can of black spray paint, cover the table runner with paint. Some paint will seep through the burlap onto your surface, so be sure to use a drop cloth.  Make sure to spray evenly.

    Wait for it to dry, then peel off the freezer paper.

    You are left with your design!

    Step Five: Sew the Runner

    Next, place the runner and the runner lining together, right sides together and pin. The burlap will be bigger than the lining but that’s OKAY; it’s supposed to be.

    Stitch ½″ seam down both long sides of the runner, leaving the ends open.

    Then trim excess burlap off so that your seam allowance is even.

    Turn the runner right side out, and iron, design side down (the spray paint may stick to your iron) use an extra cloth on top of your ironing board to protect your iron.

    Fold under the ends of the runner so that the raw edges are tucked in. Pin in place.  Cut a piece of trim to fit the runner ends and pin it in place.

    Stitch trim in place so that it goes through the trim and all layers of the runner.  Repeat for the other side. If necessary, put some fray check on the ends of your trim.

    That’s it.. Enjoy!!

    Spray Painted Burlap Table Runner

    You may Also Like:

    • DIY Stenciled Burlap Pillow Sleeve Tutorial (with Free SVG cut file)
    • Christmas Table Runner
    • How to Make an Adorable Christmas Card Holder
    • Scrappy Halloween Table Runner
    • Simple Fat Quarter Table Runner Tutorial

    More Projects You May Enjoy

    • How to Make a Halloween Potions Centerpiece & Free Printable Potions Jar Labels
    • How to Make Floating Cheesecloth Ghosts
    • How to Sew a Simple Trick or Treat Bag
    • More than 25 Halloween Sewing Projects

    • Share
    • Email

    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jing says

      September 12, 2011 at 9:19 am

      OMG … I love the process on making that lovely table runner. design transfers … is just to go!

      Reply
    2. jamie says

      September 12, 2011 at 9:39 am

      that is fabulous…love the idea!
      ~j

      Reply
    3. jamie says

      September 12, 2011 at 9:40 am

      p.s…is that an action you ran over your photos…i love the softness.
      ~j

      Reply
    4. Candice @ Made With Love says

      September 12, 2011 at 1:53 pm

      I absolutely love stenciling with Freezer Paper! Thanks for the great tutorial! 🙂

      Reply
    5. Melissa says

      September 12, 2011 at 6:19 pm

      I love it! Would also make such a cute wall hanging! Thanks for the tutorial!
      Love the bats!

      Reply
    6. Munchie's Mama says

      September 12, 2011 at 8:56 pm

      Super cute! I wish I had a cricket or silouette so bad! Luckily dad has a vinyl machine 😉
      http://www.madebymunchiesmama.blogspot.com

      Reply
    7. Lina - Fancy Frugal Life says

      September 12, 2011 at 9:51 pm

      Super Gorgeous!! Love the burlap!! 🙂

      Lina
      Fancy Frugal Life

      Reply
    8. Payne Acres says

      September 12, 2011 at 10:13 pm

      This is great! Did you use the Cricut to get these silhouettes?

      Reply
    9. Lissa says

      September 13, 2011 at 9:35 pm

      Love it so much! Pinned it on Pinterest too…

      Reply
    10. Carolyn says

      September 14, 2011 at 12:33 pm

      Amazing inspiration. I just love it your table runner. I would be thrilled if you shared this project on my Inspiration Board {link party}. I know my readers would really enjoy it.
      http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/2011/09/inspiration-board-link-party-15.html
      Thanks for the inspiration.
      carolyn | homework

      Reply
    11. Michelle @ My Life as a Mrs. says

      September 17, 2011 at 12:32 am

      So. Stinkin’. Cute! I have some extra burlap from my fall runner and may have to try this!! Thanks for sharing 🙂

      mylifeasamrsh.blogspot.com

      Reply
    12. Jayna Rae says

      September 17, 2011 at 11:52 am

      Love it! I also love how easy spray painting burlap is; I recently did it for my sons birthday party. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    13. Amy says

      September 19, 2011 at 10:51 am

      I love the runner! And would you mind sharing where you got that fabulous console?

      Reply
    14. Jessica @ Decor Adventures says

      September 20, 2011 at 11:22 am

      Love this! I’m definitely going to make one myself. I’ll send it over when I do!

      Reply
    15. Jessica @ Decor Adventures says

      September 20, 2011 at 11:22 am

      Love this! I’m definitely going to make one myself. I’ll send it over when I do!

      Reply
    16. Line says

      September 23, 2011 at 3:56 am

      Lovely! May I ask wher you found the designs?
      Thanks for sharing
      linedupuy(at)hotmail(dot)fr

      Reply
    17. Jennifer Hayes says

      September 30, 2011 at 8:58 am

      What a fabulous idea!! I love this! Thanks for also sharing the tutorial. I featured you today in my Friday I’m In Love favorites!

      http://socialsalutations.blogspot.com/2011/09/friday-im-in-love-countdown-in-on.html

      – Jenn @ Social Salutations

      Reply
    18. Christi says

      October 02, 2011 at 9:40 pm

      I think I have to learn how to use my sewing machine because I love the look of this runner. Thanks for sharing such a great tutorial.

      Reply
    19. Alyssa Muller says

      October 03, 2011 at 3:16 pm

      Where did you get the cute silhouette from? I’ve been online trying to find a graveyard scene as cute as yours. Do you mind sharing where you found yours??

      Reply
    20. WobiSobi says

      October 06, 2011 at 6:44 am

      Love, LOVE this
      Sharing this on my Blog
      Hugs
      Anne

      Reply
    21. Mel M. M. McCarthy says

      October 14, 2011 at 2:44 am

      Scary beautiful!

      Reply
    22. Mama G says

      March 05, 2012 at 8:54 pm

      I LOVE this and am definitely making one for next Halloween. I’m adding it to my Halloween board on pinterest!

      Reply
    23. Jen says

      October 26, 2012 at 10:46 am

      Really easy to do but looks so effective! What a great idea.

      Reply
    24. Cynthia says

      April 06, 2013 at 11:37 am

      Love this! Definitely need to try. Also love your bookcase. Where did you ever find it? Very cool!

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        April 08, 2013 at 1:26 pm

        It’s from Arhaus Furniture, still love it!

        Reply
    25. Renee says

      November 09, 2013 at 12:28 am

      Love this!

      What kind of paint did you use? Is the runner washable?

      Thanks. 🙂

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        November 11, 2013 at 2:28 pm

        I just used standard spray paint, I’m sure it’s not washable.

        Reply
    26. Amanda says

      September 22, 2014 at 9:09 pm

      This is silly, but I was looking at table runners and found your sight–I have been looking for a sofa table forever and I love your black bookshelf one–where did you get it?
      Thanks, Amanda

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        September 23, 2014 at 12:53 pm

        It’s from Arhaus Furniture!

        Reply
    27. Donna Belcher says

      September 24, 2018 at 10:37 am

      Just saw this post! So cute and great for the “adults” at Halloween! Would you please share where we could find/purchase the design?

      Thank you

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hello! It’s nice to meet you.

    I’m Melissa. I like to design things, like fabric, printables, and projects.

    I’m also a Mom and a Maker. I am like most of you, just trying to do my best every day. Some days I succeed, many days I fail.  I find joy in creating, if you do too, then I hope that you find something here bring a little “happy” to your life.  Find out more about me here.

    COPYRIGHT POLICY

    All my images and text are copyrighted. You may NOT use any images from this site in any kind of Video (this includes YouTube). If you would like to feature my work, you may use ONE (1) NON-COLLAGED image and must “follow” link back to my original blog post. You may NOT edit, crop, or change my images in any way without written permission. You MAY NOT print out or copy and distribute any text, images or patterns from this site. All patterns, content, instructions, and templates are for personal use ONLY! Thank you! Violators will be reported.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimers
    • About Melissa
    • Instagram
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Pinterest

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Press
    • Published Books
    • Fabric Collections

    Welcome to the Polka Dot Chair! Here you’ll find easy, step-by-step, sewing, quilting, and crafting projects. We design projects for Makers of all skill levels. Beginners are welcome!

    DISCLAIMER:

    While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content on this website, the information is made available without warranty of any kind. The Polka Dot Chair accepts no responsibility or liability, whether direct or indirect, as to the currency or accuracy of the information, nor any consequence of its uses. This website is not intended to substitute the advice of a professional.

    Copyright © 2022 Polka Dot Chair

    [ Placeholder content for popup link ] WordPress Download Manager - Best Download Management Plugin