Custom Table Linens

For quite some time I have been looking for table linens to compliment our colorful Fiestaware dishes, but it has been more difficult than you may think. I wanted something colorful and floral but couldn’t find just the right print that didn’t cost more than all of my dishes put together. I finally decided that if I couldn’t find what I was looking for I should just make my own.

Luckily Joann’s had just the perfect indoor décor fabric that would go perfectly with my dishes AND I had a great coupon – 20% off my entire purchase and the fabric was already 30%! Score! Luckily, I had the perfect color thread left over from my outdoor cushion project because I forgot to get some when I was at the store.

After washing, trimming, and ironing my fabric, the sewing was pretty much a breeze. I marked 1” in then folded the fabric over to meet the line I drew giving me ½” to work with, which was plenty. I sewed each side and then folded the seam over and sewed over it again to make sure that the edges don’t fray.

The tablecloth ended up a little shorter than planned after I evened up and trimmed the edges off, but I don’t mind – less chance of me catching the tablecloth on something. After I finished the tablecloth, I decided to make a matching runner for the dresser-turned-sideboard we decided to put up against the adjacent wall.

I have leftover fabric that I’m not really sure what do to with. I may make placemats just as an alternate way to set the table or might make a cushion for the one chair in the set. It might even make a cute cover for a recipe book! Who knows?!

Dressed Up Dresser

First, let me apologize for my blogging hiatus. That’s just part of the crazy life of the Garrows I suppose.

Second, take a look at my most recent project…

It’s funny how certain pieces of furniture tend to work themselves through the family. We were recently given a nice 4-drawer dresser by Willy’s mom, Tami. Who knows where life for this dresser began, but after a prolonged stay in Willy’s old room at Tami’s house, then a few years in Katie’s college apartment, it found its way into our home.  I love the shape of this dresser but it was sorely in need of some TLC.   I’ve been wanting to transition our bedroom furniture to white and decided that this would be a great jumping-off point.   With the help of my friend Sydney I chose an antique white by Valspar called Statuesque and decided to change out the retro gold handles for simple Venetian bronze knobs.  The knobs actually match our curtain rods in the bedroom pretty well.  Anyways, after filling the extra holds left by the old handles with wood putty and letting it dry, I sanded down the drawers and the dresser frame. I also had to patch one of the legs that bogey managed to chew when he was a puppy… silly pup. I then used two coats of primer and two coats of paint over the whole thing. Once the paint dried I added the knobs.  

I really wanted something pretty on the inside of the drawers to make this piece extra special… and so began my search for the perfect drawer liner.  I was sorely disappointed with the selections of adhesive-backed shelf liner at the local retailers so I started to think outside the box. After ruling out wrapping paper and wall paper, I settled on fabric for the material to use. I originally wanted something floral and fairly neutral in color, but fell in love with a green and cream zebra print upholstery fabric I found at Joan’s. I used spray glue to affix the fabric to the bottom of the drawers and then trimmed them to size. TIP: If you try this at home, make sure you have a very sharp razor blade at your disposal when trimming the fabric. Using a slightly dull one practically made my head explode.

Now that the dresser is done and in its new home, I love it even more. It looks great and every time I open the drawers the pop of color makes me smile.