When planning my Queen Bee luncheon table (see post here) for my project with Royal Design Studio, I wanted the runner to have a natural fiber feeling so I took a look through my fabric stash. I have lots and lots of fabric around so I also try to use something I have if possible – low and behold, the “perfect” fabric turned out to be a humble drop cloth! That’s right, a drop cloth, easily available from Lowe’s or your local hardware store was the “perfect” fabric for this chic runner!
:: Supplies you’ll need ::
Fabric – according to your table length
Stencil
Stencil Creme or Paint
Stencil Brush
Paper Towels
Painter’s Tape
First, I measured my table and added 12″ to EACH side (so if your table is 5′ (60″) long you would need 84″ of fabric.). Then I hemmed the sides with a simple 1/4″ (or so) hem with my sewing machine. You could easily use a no-sew fabric glue if you don’t have a sewing machine!
Next, I laid the now hemmed runner out on the floor, taped it down so it wouldn’t wiggle and settled in to stencil! Taping the fabric to your work surface is important so be sure you’ve got yours nice and secure. I used painter’s tape for this. Depending on the stencil you use, you may need to determine the center of your fabric. With my project, I didn’t need a “true center” so I aligned the edge of my stencil with the right edge of my fabric and began there. Then I allowed it to run off each edge as I progressed – I liked this effect. The stencil I used is the French Bee Trellis stencil from Royal Design Studio.
Before you begin actually stenciling, I highly recommend you read the tips that Royal Design offers – they are awesome! Other than a good quality stencil I think the next most important tool is your brush. I picked up an inexpensive brush at my local craft store and ordered the stencil brush kit from Royal – I wanted to see how they measured up. I can honestly tell you the quality of brush from Royal Design was so far superior to the other one and made stenciling a pleasure, so get the best quality brush you can – you’ll thank me! Plus their brush handle is wide and feels nice in your hand and trust me – after just 10 minutes, things like that really begin to matter! 
In the photo above you’ll also notice my paper towels covered with paint. Melanie & Regina from Royal taught me this technique. You put a little bit of paint on your brush and then you basically rub most of it OFF onto your paper towel BEFORE you put brush to stencil. Once you think you have no paint left on your brush – you’re ready! Depending on the color you’re painting with you may need to add more layers of paint to get your desired depth of color – but do this by layering your paint, not just putting more paint on your brush – having a more “dry” brush keeps the paint from seeping under your stencil and bleeding… lesson learned the hard way!
TIP: When moving your stencil around on your fabric do a quick check EACH time you go to move it to be sure no paint has seeped under your stencil and is on the underside of your stencil – you don’t want to mar your fabric this way. A quick wipe with a paper towel will take care of this for you.
I used a circular brush stroke when stenciling instead of a typical up/down or side to side stroke. This worked really well for me. Also, the paint colors I used are Royal Design Stencil Creme in Bright Gold for the Bees and Aged Nickel for the stripes.
And before you know it, you have a lovely table runner just like this!
I used the same technique for the napkins – tape the fabric down and center your image. Then dry brush the paint onto the fabric in layers. Easy-peasy!
I hope you’ll give stenciling a try – I think you’ll love it!
I’ll be sharing the extra details and honey cocoa recipe on Monday – see you then!
I’m sharing this project at Savvy Southern Style!
Happy Celebrating!
I was given the stencil materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.
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September 21, 2012 at 3:28 pm, Marion said:
LOVE this!!! The matching napkins just make it! Can’t wait to try this myself! Thanks for the idea and inspiration!
September 21, 2012 at 4:08 pm, Jennifer said:
> You’re welcome Marion!! I’m so glad you love it!!! YAY!!
September 21, 2012 at 4:10 pm, Mr Paul said:
Jennifer this is beautiful. I love this motif and the colours are just perfect. X
September 21, 2012 at 5:56 pm, Jennifer said:
Thank you so, so much!!
September 21, 2012 at 4:30 pm, JoAnn @ SweetPepperRose said:
Such a lovely idea! It turned out very nice.
September 21, 2012 at 6:07 pm, Jennifer said:
Thanks so much JoAnn – it was a labor of love!!
September 21, 2012 at 7:21 pm, Queen Bee Luncheon ~ A Stenciled Affair - Celebrating everyday life with Jennifer Carroll | Celebrating everyday life with Jennifer Carroll said:
[...] can read the tutorial on making this runner in this post here. I thought it would be nice to use it in a gold and black color scheme for a timeless look and the [...]
September 22, 2012 at 1:24 am, Kathy Moody said:
Oh, your table runner is beautiful!! I love the stencil you used. Thanks for the great tutorial, too! So inspiring.
September 22, 2012 at 8:02 am, Jennifer said:
Thanks for stopping by Kathy!!! I’m so happy that you like it!! I love that stencil too!
September 22, 2012 at 1:12 pm, Lisa said:
Thanks for introducing me to these stencils. I went on their website and saw lots of great ones!
September 22, 2012 at 1:27 pm, Jennifer said:
> Oh, I’m so glad you clicked over to Royal’s site – aren’t the stencils ah-mazing!?!! I bought a few others and have made of wish list of a few more…. now I just need time and the proper “canvases” for all my ideas!!
September 22, 2012 at 1:21 pm, Suzanne @ The Wine{a}be said:
So cute! Love it. I have been wanting to attempt something like that for a while. Thanks for the tips!
September 22, 2012 at 1:30 pm, Jennifer said:
> Hi Suzanne! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog! I’m so glad you like this! It took a little time (not too much though) but it was surprisingly a very easy project!! I hope you you will give it a whirl!!
September 22, 2012 at 7:49 pm, Jeannine said:
Thank you so much for the tutorial!
September 24, 2012 at 2:13 pm, Jennifer said:
> You are so welcome Jeannine! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
September 23, 2012 at 12:00 am, JaneEllen said:
Your table runner came out gorgeous, great first time stenciling. The stencil you chose is exceptional as is your project.
Royal design studio has been in business for long time, their stencils are wonderful quality which make a big difference. You might pay a bit more but it’s worth it for the durability of the stencils.
It is very important to follow the technique tips to get a quality job without extra problems. Paint seeps under the stencil easily so it’s very important to get as much paint off your brush as possible. Also your brush makes success more possible. Nothing like having a brush that keeps shedding bristles. ugh
Great tutorial Jennifer. I’ll be a new subscriber in just a moment or two.
September 24, 2012 at 2:17 pm, Jennifer said:
> Hi JaneEllen – Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments! You are so right about the quality – I got really excited about stenciling after doing this project and ran out and got some more stencils at my local craft store and the quality was much lower than the Royal one’s. A fact which I found really mattered when I was trying to use them. I’m offering a giveaway with Royal on Wednesday and excited that my readers will have a chance to win one of their designs!! Thank you so much for subscribing!! I’m thrilled to have you as a reader – what a blessing!!
September 23, 2012 at 9:31 am, Claudia said:
Jennifer, a blogging friend directed me to your wonderful blog and I am in the midst of spending a chunk of quality time with your past posts. I just love everything you’ve shared – your design sense, your photography, the quotes, all of it.
Thank you! I’ll be back daily.
Claudia
September 24, 2012 at 2:22 pm, Jennifer said:
> Oh Claudia, what a lovely comment!! Thank you so much for taking time to browse around! I’m really touched and thrilled that you have taken the time to explore and leave a comment – what a blessing! The blog has really begun to grow lately and I’m so excited to be connecting with folks. It’s a very exciting time!!! Thank you for joining me!!
September 27, 2012 at 8:29 pm, Claire said:
I adore this bee runner-Featuring it on my Saturday favs so stop by for a visit-Have a great weekend-Claire
September 28, 2012 at 9:07 am, Jennifer said:
Wow! Thank you so much Claire!!! That is SO KIND! I will definitely stop by!!! Hugs, Jennifer
September 28, 2012 at 5:09 pm, kim said:
My big question? How do you keep the paint from washing out? I’ve done this before & the paint washed out. All that work for nothing!
September 28, 2012 at 5:16 pm, Jennifer said:
> Hi Kim! You are so right, painting fabric can be tricky and I would not recommend washing this in a washing machine. I have had luck setting the paint by ironing it and then just spot cleaning as needed. I agree, it’s too much work to have it all wash down the drain!
Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation! ~ Jennifer
October 19, 2012 at 9:05 pm, Linda said:
Do you think I might be able to hand wash in Woolite? Not sure my gang will be careful!!
October 20, 2012 at 9:21 am, Jennifer said:
> Hi Linda, I think if you “set” the paint with an iron – the dryer might work too… then you should be fine. Maybe try a sample square first?