Frightful Forest Table Runner
A large sun smiles ominously as he sets on this forest filled with spooky-faced trees, witches at a cauldron, a ghost, jacko’-lantern, black cat and a scary warning sign. This design is so much fun you will stitch it twice— once on each end of this season
Frightful Forest Table Runner Design by Erik Shipley for DMC™ Corp.
Skill Level: Intermediate Materials • Two 22" x 20" pieces 14- count black Aida from Charles Craft* • One skein each DMC® or Sullivans® USA six-strand embroidery floss* • One skein each DMC® Light Effects floss* • One spool each DMC® Diamant Metallic Thread* • Size 24 tapestry needle* *See Where to Find It on page 62.
Stitch Count: 210H x 187W Design Size: 15" x 133/8"
Instructions: Cross stitch over one square using two strands of floss. Work 1/2 cross stitch over one square where small symbols appear using two strands of floss.
Backstitch over one square using one strand of floss.
Work straight stitch using one strand of floss unless indicated otherwise.
Stitch design on each piece of black Aida. Note: The stars and border may be repeated to achieve desired length.
Finishing Materials & Instructions
• 163/4" x 43" piece of heavy black cotton
fabric for backing • Black sewing thread • Fabric marking pen or chalk pencil • Ruler or straightedge • Straight pins • Sewing machine (recommended) Press stitched pieces from reverse side, straightening as much as possible. Trim each stitched piece to 211/2" x 191/2". Place stitched pieces right sides together. Sew a 1/2" seam along “stars” edge to join stitched pieces, making sure to align border stitching. Press seam flat. On front of stitched pieces, topstitch one Aida square away from seam on both sides of seam.
Use stitched piece as a template to cut out backing fabric.
Fold sides of stitched piece under 1/2" on both long sides. Press.
On front of stitched piece, using fabric marking pen, mark 1" below corners on each end. Mark 2" from center points on each end. With ruler or straightedge, draw lines from the side marks to the center marks, making a triangle shape. Cut along marked lines, squaring off center point 1/2".
Use stitched piece as template for cutting points from backing fabric. Fold edges of backing fabric under 1/2" and press. Set aside.
To create fringe on triangle points of stitched piece, snip into Aida 1/4" deep every 1/2" along edges and then carefully remove Aida threads.
Place backing fabric on stitched piece wrong sides together, being sure not to cover fringe with backing fabric. Topstitch 1/2" seam allowance along all edges, making sure to stitch through both layers.