project: let it snow table runner

The weather outside isn't quite frightful yet, but it will be. Soon. Which is why this is a perfect project to get you through the next couple of weeks, producing a finished product just in time for New Year's! You'll enjoy the stitching so much, you might even sing out, "Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!"



I started with a snowflake table runner that I bought at IKEA in their holiday section. The fabric on this is especially nice to stitch on! But you can use any finished snowflake table runner, or make your own! Choose a simple snowflake patterned fabric, cut it to the size you want and hem the edges. This same idea would apply to making a table cloth, napkins place mats, etc.

To go with my gray and white fabric, I chose bright colors. Of course, this is where you get lots of possibilities based on your fabric and personal taste. But don't be afraid to branch out from typical snow colors!



Start embellishing! There's no right or wrong way to do this. Just add a few stitches, following or complementing the snowflake designs. (I do recommend using tiny knots on the back of your work so that you don't lose stitches when it goes through the wash.) Try something new on each flake, or use a similar pattern throughout the entire piece. Stitching free form can be daunting at first, but then it gets fun!




Scatter your stitched snowflakes! You don't need to stitch every single flake on the runner. Space them out or clump them together. Do the entire thing, or just the ends or as a border. This really is a project you can make into whatever you want it to be!