I want to thank all of you for your sweet comments and emails, and for following my blog!
It completely made my week!
I wanted to take some pictures of my home today to post, but we had a big storm roll in, so it will have to wait until next week. I tried to take these pictures in the brightest part of my house, but even these still turned out a little dark and muddy.
So, instead, today lets talk burlap! I have a couple posts coming up, of projects using burlap. But, first, I wanted to share how I prepare my burlap for use. It can be stinky and hard to work with, so I will share with you a couple of things that I do to make it more user-friendly.
First, I wash my burlap in the washing machine. I usually only do 2-3 yards at a time, so I am not sure how well it would work on a bigger volume. I use about half the regular amount of liquid detergent I would use in a normal load, and I add a splash of bleach to the bleach cup of my washer. I set my machine to the delicate cycle, warm water, and let it do its thing. If I am not happy with the smell, still, when it is finished, I will run it through once more. It will not get rid of the smell completely, but it will decrease it very significantly.
Then I pull it out and drape it over two chairs to dry.
{Update: I have done this with both the blonde (pictured) and the natural (light brown) burlap several times. The natural does get a little more fuzzy after washing than the blonde does. I just take it outside... shake, shake, shake it... and run a lint roller over it... and it works wonderfully! Not only does it take a lot of the smell away, it makes it a lot softer. Soooooo worth the extra effort! And, just to warn you, you're about to see my scrub bottoms in these pictures}
There are many variables when using this technique {ie: different washing machines, different burlaps, etc.} and it may not work for everyone. This is just how I do it and it works so well for me! I have never had a problem. {Note I have a front loader washing machine, and I usually use Tide} Also, I would not recommend using this technique on the new printed/patterned burlaps or colored burlaps.
After it dries, I Iron my burlap to get all of the wrinkles out of it. Depending on your iron, the method you use here will vary from mine, but I will show you how I do it and you can adjust as you need to. I use a medium high setting. On my Iron, it says "Silk." You want to make sure it is not on any of the automatic steam settings. I have learned from experience that too much of the water or steam will yellow your burlap and develop a weird film on your iron. Instead I just iron and do one squirt of the steam in one big motion over a large area of my fabric, following it up with a lot of steamless strokes.
Again, all irons are different, and you will have to play around with yours to determine which setting is right for you.
After you are finished ironing your fabric, it is time to even out the ends which will have frayed somewhat in the washer.
Locate a spot where you would like to trim your fabric back to and make a tiny cut.
Then pull out one of the threads, slowly and carefully.
It should pull from the entire length of your piece.
This will leave a perfect little line to use as a guide for cutting.
Cut along its entire length, being careful not to cut the lines above and below it.
When you are finished, you are left with a perfectly straight edge!
Repeat on the other side and you are ready to start your burlap projects!
Easy, Right!
If you would like to see my DIY Pottery Barn Burlap Table Runner Tutorial, Click HERE. Trust me, it is gorgeous and super easy!
You may also enjoy these burlap posts {just click on the picture to take you there}:
 |
| Pottery Barn Burlap Table Runner Tutorial |
 |
| Pottery Barn Frame and Burlap Mat |
On another note...
These pictures are pretty blurry and dark, but I wanted to share.
This is what happens when daddy is in charge of getting Ella dressed!
I don't know if it is the fact that I dress her up all of the time or what, but it didn't phase her a bit!
Funny Daddy.
I hope you all have a great weekend!
My Giveaway is open until Sunday night, so make sure you enter~!
Thanks again for reading!
JP designs
Kristen,
Love your blog, your pics, your sense of humor and your gorgeous, Ella Claire!
Am working with some burlap now and wish I knew these great tips prior to my start!
I am pretty new to blogging and will be turning to you for inspirations and thank you for doing such a wonderful job...can't wait to read more of your posts and congrats on being "FEATURED!"
Wishing you con't success and a lifetime of joy with your bundle!!!
JP
libby Harrison
Thank you so much for this! I am getting ready to make my daughter some burlap valances! Very helpful!
Kristen {Ella Claire}
I am so glad I could help Libby! Thanks!!
VickiA
where do you find your burlap?
Kristen {Ella Claire}
Hi Vicki! I like the blonde burlap from JoAnn Fabrics and the natural color (or any other color- they have a lot to choose from) from Hobby Lobby. However, today I saw that Hancock fabrics also has a great selection! Hope this helps!
THE FARMHOUSE PORCH
Now following your pretty blog...great tutorial! Found you on pinterest. Come visit me sometime, you can link this up at my party too!
♥Linsey
JC
I also read in one of my MANY magazines that you can use a big landromat machine an wash several times and add downy fabric softener and it works well and all the fuzz is not clogging your machine. And you can wash more at one time since they are bigger machines. Am going to try this soon!
aschwan
Wondering if you can wash coffee sacks the same way?!?!?
reFresh reStyle
Great idea 🙂
Danielle Wagasky
Thank you so much! Such good tips! New Follower:>
Emily Morgenstern
Wowzers! Such good info!! I never would have come up with that cutting idea, but it totally wowed me!
Pinned and I'm your newest follower! And, I'm just about to share your wedding part two on my FB page!
Emily from 52mantels.com
Candace & Nicole
Great to know! I am so going to make some of your knock pb frames!
Tracey
So thankful I found this post...I happen to have 3 yards of burlap on the desk next to me. I was just wishing it would be less smelly and a bit softer! I will now be washing it tomorrow. :]
Anonymous
i enjoyed my visit.. but i think your baby is gorgeous..so precious.. i look forward to seeing more photos of her... and i look forward to looking at your decorating blog... thanks for the tutorial on burlap...wouldn't have know how to do this, since i never saw or read on how to wash it until..
barbara
Robin@robinsnestquilting
Great reader friendly tutorial. Thank you!
Why do you not put the burlap in the dryer?
robin 🙂
Jessica @ Stay at Home-ista
Pulling the thread to make a line is brilliant! I pinned this and shared it on facebook, it's that life-changing.
Where do you buy your burlap?
Jessica
stayathomeista.com
S-Cape
Where do you get your burlap?
Kristel
Such a great tip! I hate to work with burlap, just because of the smell, and all the tiny little fibers it leaves along, but maybe washing it will do the trick. As much as I hate to work with it though, I do love the projects out there, and there are so many. Thanks for sharing. Your daughter is so adorable.
Debbiedoo's
This is a really fantastic tip. I washed burlap before myself, but it is never easy to cut without fraying all over. Your daughter is so stinkin cute! I love it when Dad's are in charge LOL.
Margaret
Your little girl is so adorable! My daughter will be 25 next month and your pics took me right back to when she was that small. These are moments you will cherish forever. I love your blog to, I'm following here and on Facebook 🙂
Something Nice and Pretty
Hi Kristen! Thanks for the tip on the burlap, I never thought to wash it, I'll be waiting to see the projects that you did with the burlap:) Your little one is so adorable and seems to be a happy one!
Kristin @ Simply Klassic Home
What a great tip - I'd never thought about washing the burlap first. I'm curious as to why bleach - does it help with the smell or the color?
Dorene
Thanks for the information. I am impressed. I have been looking for curtains (primitive) and I do believe with your tutorial I will be able to achieve the look I want and a lot less price than I thought of. Thanks again!!!!