PROJECTS TO SEW

FOR THE DINING ROOM

A beautifully laid table starts with the table runner. Decorative and practical, it’ll protect your table and provide an attractive focal point. Our simple runner features a main fabric and a neat contrasting border, but you could use favourite fabrics from your stash for a patchwork effect.

Napkins are a dinner party essential, but don’t settle for the boring plain varieties in the shops. Instead, sew up your own to complement your scheme for a coordinated look – we made ours with a contrast border to match the table runner.

We’re not ashamed to admit that we’re often guilty of filling up on bread before the main course – especially when it’s so invitingly presented. We’ve given our bread basket a personal touch with chain stitch embroidery. Someone pass the butter, we’re ready to tuck in! There will be no who-sits-where confusion at our dinner parties thanks to these house-motif place name tags embroidered with guests’ names, made from scraps and finished with a button door handle. Home sweet home.

All dinner party tables need a bit of greenery (and we’re not just talking about the salad!). If the winter chill has put al fresco dining plans on hold, bring the outside in with a plant pot centrepiece in a lined fabric holder. It’ll look lovely on your shelf when the party’s over, too. When the food, wine and conversation is flowing, we want our dinner guests to be as comfortable as possible – and these squishy seat pads will certainly do the trick! They’re made to fit your dining chairs exactly with a tie fastening and feature piping for a professional finish.