Pleated DIY Paper Table Runner

Directions to make a pleated paper table runner with free printable Thanksgiving greeting. Add to your runner, or print it out and pop into a frame for easy and thrifty decor that expresses your thankfulness!
This post may contain Amazon or other affiliate links. As an Amazon affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. My full disclosure policy can be found here.

Hello friend and welcome. Today's DIY is pretty incredible, if I do say so myself! As a long time crafter and DIYer, I'm always amazed that there are always NEW things to create! This ruffled paper runner idea popped into my head as I was thinking about how to style and decorate my table for Thanksgiving. I wasn't sure it would work, but am very pleased that it did and I get to share the process with you!

It's time for Thrifty Style Team and this month we're celebrating Thanksgiving! We're a group of bloggers who love to decorate and DIY on a budget. All the ideas below are thrifty, which saves your wallet for other things! Thank you to Julie of Redhead Can Decorate for being our trusty pilot each month! Have fun reading my paper runner tutorial and then please visit the other DIYs, decorations and recipes linked below.


How to Make a Pleated Paper Table Runner

You can make a pleated paper table runner with simply a roll of butcher paper, scissors and hot glue. I've had a roll of butcher paper from Target Dollar Spot in my craft stash for awhile now. I wanted to make a paper table runner, but I thought why not step it up a notch? Why not see if I could make paper pleats or ruffles to add a little extra something special to the table runner.

It was actually quite easy and I can't wait to share how I did it below! You'll need to first measure the length of your table, as well as the drop you want on each ends. Cut your butcher paper to the length that you need for your dining table. Mine was around 90" so yes, it's a lot of paper!

Step One - Prepare paper strips

Measure the width of your paper roll (mine was 12") and multiply by 3ish. It's not an exact science but you do want it to be at least twice the width (I cut mine around 30"). Cut a strip of paper to that length.

Next you're going to cut 4 strips of paper from the length you cut. I found it easiest to fold the paper along the middle (use a thumb nail to really press that fold) and then carefully tear the strip along the fold. Of course, you can cut it with scissors.

Repeat this to make two more strips of paper. Your 4 strips of butcher paper should all be the same length and width.

The paper will want to curl up because it's been rolled. Rather than fight it, go ahead and crumple the strips up. Just make a crumpled ball of paper, but be gentle not to rip it!

Step Two - Glue paper pleats to runner

Gently uncrumple paper strips and press flat with hands. Hot glue the edge of one strip to one of the runner ends. I taped my runner end to my table to keep it in place while I added the ruffled pleats. Glue the paper strip about an inch above the edge of the paper runner. Use your fingers to press the edge of the paper into pleats and hot glue them in place. Continue making pleats in this way across the width of the runner.

If you want to make a double ruffle, use another strip of paper and repeat the process, gluing the second pleated ruffle above the first. Repeat these steps with the last two paper strips on the other end of the runner.

Step Three - Glue a fabric pleat in place

I had some long strips of coffee stained drop cloth leftover from my Primitive DIY Sunflowers and decided to use it to cover the edges of the pleated paper ruffle. You can find out how I stained the fabric by visiting the link.

I created the fabric pleats in the same way and hot glued them into place just above the edge of the top paper ruffle.


Your paper table runner with pleated ruffles is now complete and ready to use on your table! If you have a Silhouette or Cricut machine and want to add the Thanksgiving sentiment, follow the steps below.

Step Four - Cut HTV vinyl Thanksgiving sentiment

I created this Thanksgiving sentiment on my computer and cut it onto black Heat Transfer Vinyl. I'll provide this cut out/printable below if you'd like to use it.


Why not use regular vinyl?

You could try using regular craft vinyl; however, I wasn't sure how it would stick to the butcher paper. The HTV is sealed with heat and I thought it would be easier to do. Plus there's no worry of the backing paper sticking when you peel it off.

Step Five - Iron sentiment to paper runner

I used my Cricut EasyPress*, heated to 275°, and ironed the Thanksgiving gratitude sentiment to one end of my paper runner. You want to make sure to use a pressing sheet in between the heat press and the paper runner! This will help to prevent it from scorching.

*This is a great product to add to your Christmas list! It's currently more than $40 cheaper than when I purchased mine 4 years ago! I use it for any type of ironing I need to do, both for crafts and regular.


I let the plastic backing cool and then gently peeled up the backing paper. It worked so well!



I used my pleated paper table runner down the center of my Thanksgiving table! I laid down a blue fabric runner (see similar  here) first, it gives more weight to the center of the table and adds more blue! Plus, I just love the look of layered items, it adds interest and texture!


Isn't it beautiful? I did have to move the end chair to the side so you could fully appreciate the pleated paper runner. I love that everyone can see it as we're gathering around the table to celebrate all our many blessings!

I am going to try carefully rolling the paper table runner to store after Thanksgiving! It should be fine, as the brown paper bag leaf garland I made last year stored beautifully!


I set the table for Thanksgiving with my vintage Currier and Ives blue dishes, some plaid napkins, ironstone and the primitive pumpkin place cards that I recently made from small pumpkins and cinnamon!





The centerpiece didn't change much from my Fall dining table. I just added my blue and white DIY porcelain pumpkins that I made from dollar store pumpkins. I also tucked in some faux blackberry stems from Hobby Lobby. When we lived in Oregon, blackberries grew wild in the ditches and parks, and we have many, many family memories of picking blackberries together (including lots of scratches!) so I was excited to find these!



Free printable

If you'd like the free printable Thanksgiving sentiment "We gather here with grateful hearts", you can access it HERE. If you have a die cut machine, you can upload it and then resize as needed (remember to mirror design before cutting!).

If you don't have a diecut machine but would like to use this design as a printable, save it to your computer. Then simply print it full size onto regular copy paper, pop it into a frame and display!

As always, my printables are free for your home use and not to be used for profit.

Support my site - PIN this image

See more of my Thanksgiving ideas here


More Thanksgiving Ideas from the Thrifty Style Team

bringing beauty to the ordinary,

SIGN UP FOR FREE DIY TUTORIALS

share this post
more

Comments

  1. Cindy - this is the best idea! I love how creative you are...and this runner is proof. Happy Thanksgiving, friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you sweet friend! Happy Thanksgiving to you xx

      Delete
  2. Ok Cindy, you are so darn creative! You had me at ruffle! Beautiful my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Kelly, I haven't met a ruffle I don't like either LOL xx

      Delete
  3. Seriously, this is so stinkin' cute!! Another great project Cindy!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Cindy...this idea is crazy cool. I seriously thought that was fabric. I can't sew, so this would be perfect for me. You are so talented!!!! HAPPY TG!!! Love, Julie

    ReplyDelete
  5. Cindy I love this cute idea and how it looks with your blue and white, such a great and unique idea. So happy to be part of the Thrifty Style Team with you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cindy, this turned out absolutely darling! I love fun runners and this one can't be beat. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! xoxo, kristi

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm featuring you when the next To Grandma's house we go Wednesday link party starts! Thank you for sharing with us!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Cindy, what an absolutely amazing Thanksgiving craft! The pleats definitely take it up a notch. It looks so pretty on your tablescape. The beautiful blue layered runner looks great with it. Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete
  9. GORGEOUS table runner, Cindy! I’d love for you to join us over at the Creative Crafts Linky Party every Wednesday through Sunday
    https://creativelybeth.com/creative-crafts-linky-party/
    Followed and Pinned! 🙂
    Creatively, Beth

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Your comments are like sunshine and chocolate! Thanks for taking the time to leave a nice one ;) I read all comments and love to respond if you leave your name and email! Otherwise, please look for my response under the post where you left it!