Decorating Your Thanksgiving Table

Burlap, a coarse, scratchy material, is best known as the material used to make the yesteryear potato sacks we raced in. Burlap is less known in the world of crafts, despite it's ease of use and inexpensive price tag.

Burlap can be bought at fabric supplies for just a couple of dollars per yard. Burlap runners and place mats are simple to make, a do-able no sew project requiring no more craft skill than the ability to use a pair of scissors.

The directions are simple: go to your local craft store and buy three or four yards of burlap. Using your table as a guide to length and width, cut the burlap to achieve the desired size. Add interest to your project by pulling three or four strands of the burlap from each side and the ends. This will give you about ¾ to 1 inch of trim with a fringed look. For matching place mats, follow the same method, using either a pre-made place mat as a reference for size, or making a custom size to your liking. As an FYI, standard size place mats are approximately 12 x 18 inches.

Burlap is made from natural materials, primarily jute and other vegetable fibers. It's strong, course texture with natural variation suits an earthy, harvest or Thanksgiving theme. Burlap lends well to rustic decor, another compliment for Thanksgiving harvest decorating.

For those of you with a little more crafting talent, there are a couple of ways to step up your burlap table accents without overdoing it. Burlap is often found most available in it's natural, slightly off white shade. For a warmer Thanksgiving hue, stain your cloth in a strong solution of tea. Boil approximately 2 gallons of water in a large stock pot, then let several tea bags steep until a dark tea is made. Put the burlap in the tea solution, and soak until your table runner and place mats have reached the desired darkness. Drain the pieces in the sink, give a light rinse with clear running water, and lay flat or hang to dry. A little reshaping may be necessary.

For a splash of color, add a border of hemp, embroidery floss, yarn or another material of your liking. Simply weave a straight stitch through the cloth about an inch in from the edge.

When added to the other natural beauty of harvest elements to your Thanksgiving table, the simple, understated rustic beauty of your runner and place mat set will shine through. For an easy accent and ease of care, the burlap set cannot be beat. Natural variations in the color and texture are forgiving of spills and it's strong texture is cleanable with a cloth or sponge. For periodic cleaning, wash your set in the sink with a little dish or laundry soap.

Thanksgiving is all about harvest and the bounty of nature. Simple, rustic decoration adds to any Holiday table