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

Pillar Box Blue

  • Home
  • Denim
  • Maps
  • Valentines
  • Crafts
    • Sweaters
    • Marimekko Crafts and DIY’s
    • Seasonal
  • DIY/Upcycling
    • All Upcycling
    • Ikea Hacks
    • Tin Cans
    • Round Ups
  • Christmas
  • About Me
    • What Is Upcycling What You Need To Know
    • Press & Working With Me
    • Link Ups
    • Privacy Policy
    • DISCLOSURE
    • Contact Me
You are here: Home / Crafts / How To Make A Unique Stenciled Denim Table Runner

How To Make A Unique Stenciled Denim Table Runner

6th May 2020 by Claire Armstrong 32 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet
upcycled jeans table runner

A great way to add colour, texture and interest to your dining or kitchen table is with a runner. As indigo blue is my favourite colour, I made an upcycled denim table runner for my dining table.

The runner looks great against the dark wood of the table and also protects it from spills and candle wax from candles. To add interest to the denim runner I stenciled it.

what you need to make a stenciled denim table runner

Using a Moroccan Stencil

The last time I stenciled denim to make my denim fish pillows I used bleach. Even though this worked well this time I used acrylic paint.

A few years ago I made some doily stenciled pillows with acrylic paint and they still look just as good as when I first made them. I’ve also stenciled jeans before with my fun denim draught excluders.

I found the Moroccan stencil in my craft stash. Making a stunning painted wood pallet garden was the last time I used it. Loving the Moroccan and Boho look, I knew the stencil would be perfect for this DIY denim table runner.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What You Need To Make A Denim Table Runner

What denim to use?

An old pair of jeans, or to be more precise both legs from a pair of jeans.

However, this denim table runner was only really long enough for a coffee table. For a longer runner for a bigger table, I recommend using another jeans leg or two.

Top Tip: Only use straight-legged, flared, or boot cut jeans for this denim upcycle. The legs of skinny jeans probably won’t be wide enough.

Don’t throw out the rest of unused denim from the jeans their are loads of no-sew denim projects you can make from the scraps and some great jean pocket upcycles too.

What else you need?

  • Moroccan stencil – the one I used was 12″ squared. I love the Moroccan tile look and this stencil is a square of 9 different Moroccan tiles.
  • White acrylic paint
  • Fabric paint medium
  • Foam brushes
  • One A3 sized foam board or similar
  • Rotary cutter and board plus a metal ruler
  • Thumbtacks or pins
  • Vinegar
Moroccan stencil and paint

How To Make A Denim Table Runner

1.. The first thing to do is to cut the legs off the pair of jeans. Cut them at the top as near to the crotch as possible. As mentioned above if you want a longer table runner I recommend using more than one pair of jeans.

Leave the hems on the jeans as these will be the ends of the denim table runner.

cutting the legs off the jeans

2. Next, using scissors cut open the jeans legs by cutting down the inside seam. The opened up denim leg should be a few inches wider than the stencil.

Opening up the denim leg

3. Next, pin and stitch the top of both denim legs right sides together. Allow for a 1cm seam. This can either be done on the machine or by hand.

This is basically your denim table runner if it is not long enough for your requirements now is the time to sew another leg or two.

pinning the legs togethe

However, the chances are, the runner will not be the same width all the way along. Jean’s legs tend to be wider at the top and are very rarely totally straight.

To even out the runner, lay it onto a cutting mat. Then lay the stencil on-top, allow for a margin of 3-5 cm along each edge. Next, using a rotary cutter and metal ruler cut the edges of the jeans so that they are the same length all the way along.

Trimming the denim table runner

4. Now it’s time to stencil the denim fabric. To stop the stencil and the denim from moving whilst painting I pin both to a foam board. Place the stencil in the middle of the runner and right up to the bottom hem.

Top tip: If you don’t want to make holes in the stencil, use a combination of masking tape and pins.

pinning stencil to denim table runner

5. Next, mix the fabric medium with the acrylic paint according to the instructions on the bottle. This is normally a 50/50 mixture. The fabric medium turns the paint into fabric paint that can be washed.

Top Tip: If you don’t have fabric medium, don’t worry you can still seal the paint at the end with vinegar and iron. This will give it some protection from washing.

Stencil using a foam brush and a dabbing motion. This will stop the paint from seeping under the stencil.

Dabbing with the stencil

Finishing Touches

6. Once you have finished with the stencil, carefully lift it off the denim table runner. Then, when the paint is touch dry move the stencil along the runner into the next position and repeat the painting.

Carry on repeating this step until the whole length of the table runner is painted.

stenciling the denim table runner

7. Once the painting has finished and dried, spray the painted table runner with a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water. Then place a tea-towel on-top of the paint and iron it.

This will not only set the fabric paint more into the fabric but it will also soften it.

Stenciled denim table runner before ironing

8. Finally, to finish off the denim table runner. Either sew a hem along the long edges or go for a more Boho look and fray them.

I opted for the latter by fraying the edges much in the same way as I use to make denim tassels and denim feathers. As you can see I’m a big fan of the Boho look.

Fraying the edges of the denim

I love how the denim table runner turned out, it is the Moroccan stencil that really made it. The way the white paint sits unevenly on the indigo denim fabric makes the runner look like it has been Shibori dyed.

Which means that it goes really well with some Shibori planters I made. Next, I want to make some denim table mats using the same stencil to match.

DIY stenciled denim table runner

The upcycled denim also matches the denim patchwork chairs in my dining room too. I think the Shibori indigo planters I made would look great on it too.

Denim table runner and patchwork chairs
How to make a denim table runner

There are more table runner ideas here.

Filed Under: Crafts, Denim Tagged With: denim, denim table runner, fabric painting, moroccan, shibori, stencil, table runner

Previous Post: « A Fun DIY Tropical Leaf Plant For A Wall Vase
Next Post: How To Make Unique Shibori Indigo Planters »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rachelle

    17th July 2020 at 12:15 pm

    Morning, Claire this is the link where I featured your denim table runner
    https://myhubbardhome.com/friday-with-friends-upcycled-and-diy-crafts/
    Thank you again for letting me use it!
    Rachelle

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      17th July 2020 at 3:55 pm

      Thank you, you’re welcome and thanks for the feature.

      Reply
  2. Rachelle

    14th June 2020 at 12:21 am

    Thanks you, Claire. I will send you the link when it goes out mid July.

    Rachelle

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      14th June 2020 at 10:39 am

      Thank you Rachelle, I look forward to seeing it.

      Reply
  3. Rachelle

    12th June 2020 at 1:57 pm

    I’ve been seeing your denim table runner on all the link parties this past month and really love how you upcycle a pair of jeans! The frayed edges really adds to the whole boho style. This is perfect for summer.

    I would love to share your craft in an upcoming July post on my site – using a picture of the runner and a link back to you.
    Please let me know it you are comfortable with that.

    Thank you
    Rachelle

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      12th June 2020 at 4:45 pm

      Thank you, Rachelle. Yes you can feature my runner with a link back, send me the post when it’s finished and I’ll share it.

      Reply
  4. Karatame

    2nd June 2020 at 6:04 pm

    Any ideas on where to get this stencil?

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      2nd June 2020 at 8:36 pm

      There is a link for it in the post you can buy it off Amazon. Just type in Moroccan stencil

      Reply
  5. June Webber

    19th May 2020 at 11:31 pm

    Is this a fabric dye or paint. If paint will it crack after washing the fabric?

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      20th May 2020 at 4:51 am

      Hi June all the instructions are in the tutorial. I used normal acrylic paint mixed with a medium to make it fabric paint then treated with vinegar so it washes fine.

      Reply
  6. Jenny

    19th May 2020 at 11:57 am

    Love this. You could also make this into a beautiful rug. Denim is sturdy enough.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      20th May 2020 at 4:53 am

      Thank you. Yes, I’ve made a few denim rugs before but never thought about painting them, you’ve given me an idea.

      Reply
  7. Teresa Cowan

    19th May 2020 at 1:18 am

    I love this up cycling of denim. I never throw denim out and now I have a fabulous way to use them. I may have enough to do a small table cloth. Thanks so much for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      19th May 2020 at 5:59 am

      Thank you, I bet a table cloth would look fabulous ?

      Reply
  8. Kim | Shiplap and Shells

    17th May 2020 at 5:42 am

    This is just the cutest idea! I love it! Thank you for sharing with Charming Homes and Gardens Link Party!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      18th May 2020 at 6:30 am

      Aww, thank you and thanks for visiting ?

      Reply
  9. Rita C at Panoply

    16th May 2020 at 11:51 am

    This is FABULOUS, as are your denim seat covers! Saw you feature on Pieced Pastimes – congrats! Pinned.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      16th May 2020 at 7:32 pm

      Thank you so much. I made the denim patchwork chairs a couple of years ago.

      Reply
  10. creativejewishmom/sara

    14th May 2020 at 11:01 pm

    Love it Claire! I think I need another house so I could do rustic upcycled jeans projects and use them……
    thanks for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      15th May 2020 at 11:08 am

      Thank you so much Sara. I just love upcycling denim.

      Reply
  11. Donna @ Modern on Monticello

    13th May 2020 at 6:33 pm

    Really like the stencil pattern you used. Looks great on the denim. Thanks for sharing with us this week at #HomeMattersParty

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      14th May 2020 at 9:51 am

      Thank you, it is a lovely stencil. I like the Moroccan tile look.

      Reply
  12. Julie

    13th May 2020 at 10:16 am

    Beautiful! Another lovely denim upcycle. Great tips about using acrylic paint for fabric too, thanks.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      14th May 2020 at 9:50 am

      Thank you, Julie. If done right acrylic paint works really well on denim.

      Reply
  13. Amy @ Heritage Home Ec

    9th May 2020 at 12:47 pm

    What a neat idea! I love how it looks! I can’t wait to try this out.
    I do need to ask if you know how the paint stands up to washing. I live with a bunch of messy boys, and it has to be easy to wash or it’ll end up ruined.
    Thank you so much for sharing. 🙂

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      9th May 2020 at 4:32 pm

      Thank you. I haven’t washed it yet but when I’ve stenciled other fabrics with the paint medium and vinegar finishing they have held up well. If it fades after lots of washes that will only add to the charm.

      Reply
  14. Michelle Leslie

    9th May 2020 at 6:25 am

    My boho, gypsy heart just did a few flip flops. Oh my word Claire, this is gorgeous. I love everything about it. Thank goodness my laptop butt has taken on a life of its own during the lockdown period so I have more than enough jeans to play with.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      9th May 2020 at 4:34 pm

      Thank you, Michelle. Hope lockdown is OK for you, I’m beginning to tire of it now and can’t wait to meet up with family and friends again. Zoom and house party chats aren’t the same as a face to face coffee.

      Reply
  15. Anita holland

    8th May 2020 at 10:18 pm

    I would never have thought to make a table runner. Looks awesome.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      9th May 2020 at 6:03 am

      Thank you, Anita. I’m always looking for new things to make from old jeans.

      Reply
  16. Marie

    7th May 2020 at 5:12 pm

    Oh my word, I LOVE the boho vibe of this awesome table runner! My daughter would love something like this in her home. Hmmm, inspiration for her Christmas gift this year. Pinned 🙂 I’ve probably said it before but you are my go-to source for all things denim. xo

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      8th May 2020 at 7:00 am

      Thank you, Marie. I just love upcycling denim and have a stack of it. Stencilling it was fun.

      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

Follow Me

Subscribe to newsletter

Search This Website

Denim feather wall decor

How To Make Denim Feather Wall Decor

Tiled square Boho Moroccan planters

Make Beautiful Moroccan Planters In Under 10 Minutes

9 unique blue jean rug DIY's

How To Make A Blue Jean Rug, 12 Unique Ways

Free printable maps

Wonderful Free Printable Vintage Maps To Download

DIY No Sew Denim Rug

How To Make A Cool Denim Rug Without Sewing

Copyright © 2021 Pillar Box Blue on the Foodie Pro Theme