DIY Scrap Fabric Craft Tutorial: Patriotic Table Runner Made With Repurposed Jeans

There's nothing like the warmer months to bring out a little red, white and blue in all of us here in the United States. With the exception of Veteran's Day, our most patriotic holidays fall in May, June and July. Wherever you travel you see the stars and stripes on display, and, if you are anything like me, you like to show some patriotism by decorating your home with a few festive items.

This table runner, made with a pair of old torn jeans and some fabric scraps, is an ideal addition to your collection of decor. It can be made in an afternoon if you need something in a pinch, and, best of all, you don't have to an expert seamstress to make it.

Project notes

• Finished runner measures 15 1/2" wide x 39 1/2" long.
• Star cookie cutter template used measures 3".
• Fabrics used, including the blue jeans, were 100% cotton and prewashed.
• Washing instructions: Follow the washing directions provided on the fusible web packaging.

So don't throw out those torn jeans, turn them into this charming and festive topper for your table. Enjoy!

• Assorted red, white and blue fabrics cut into squares no less than 4". 19 stars total, 7 red, 6 white and 6 blue.
• One pair of men's jeans (these had a 32" length and no spandex in them)
• Fusible web such as Wonder Under or Heat N' Bond, but any brand will do as long as it can be washed
• Cutting mat
• Rotary cutter
• Quilter's ruler (if you don't have one, a yard stick will work)
• Good fabric scissors

• Cut out 4" squares of the red, white and blue fabric. Press.
• Cut slightly smaller squares of the fusible web, just making sure that the star template you are using will fit.
• Following the directions of the fusible web, press it to the wrong side of the fabric squares.
• Set squares aside to cool completely.

The fusible web has a paper backing which makes it easy to write on.

Once the squares have cooled, trace around the star shape with a pencil that is easy to see.

• Following the traced line, cut out the star shape, using good fabric scissors if you have them.
• Set aside the cutout, leaving the paper backing on.

The easiest way to get the large fabric pieces needed is as follows:

• Cut off the hems.
• Cut off the legs, cutting from right below the back pocket to the crotch.
• You will have two long tubes of fabric (the two pant legs).

• Take one of the legs of jeans and cut alongside the seam, lengthwise to open it up.
• Cut along the other side of the seam.
• Lay flat and repeat with the other long seam.
• Repeat with the second leg and press.
• You end up with four long pieces of denim.

Depending on how you cut the legs, you'll end up with two wider pieces of denim and two thinner ones. Use the wider ones for the longer size strips and the thinner ones for the shorter pieces. Because the pant legs aren't quite wide enough all the way down, you have to add the two shorter strips on the ends to get the length needed for the runner.

• Cut two strips 8" wide by 24 1/2" long
• Cut two strips 8" long by 15 1/2" wide
• Press

Place the two long denim pieces, right sides together and sew on the long side using a generous 1/4" seam allowance. Begin and end with a backstitch.

You will end up with a piece of fabric 15 1/2" wide by 24 1/2" long.

Press the seam open so the runner lays flat.

Then add the two end pieces, one on each end.

• Beginning on one end, add one of the 8" by 15 1/2" strips by laying it on top of the larger piece, matching up the 15 1/2" sides, right sides together.
• Sew along the 15 1/2" side.

Press the seams open so they are flat. To press the double seam that is formed when the seam meets the center seam of the long pieces:

1. Place the runner on the ironing board.
2. Carefully snip the fabric on both sides of the seam that was previously formed when you sewed the two long sides together. Use caution so you don't cut through the stitching.
3. Press open and you'll have nice flat seams.
4. Repeat on the other end.

Using the edge of the runner as a guideline, sew around the outside of the runner, about a scant 1/2" in from the edge. Backstitch at the beginning and end. I used red thread to add another dimension of interest to the piece.

However, this stitch line is not just for decoration. The runner has a raw edge, meaning it is not hemmed and no border is added. Denim has a tendency to fray and this stitching will ensure that the denim doesn't fray any further than that seam line (the red stitching line in the photo above).

Now the fun really begins. Lay out the stars in the pattern, deciding which ones you like best and where you like them.

Use your imagination here. I like to take pictures of different layouts on my phone and then come back to the project later to decide which one I like the most.

If you have a big enough ironing surface do this step on it so you have everything right there when you are ready to start pressing.

Once you have your desired layout, start ironing on the stars.

• Peel off the paper backing.
• Following the manufacturer's directions, iron the stars onto the denim.

Let it cool and voilà, you have a festive and fun table runner ready for your Fourth of July table.

You can also change the template. For example, you could use an Easter egg shape for Easter or a clover for St. Patrick's Day.

Happy Crafting!