Loving Burlap

A year ago, I had no idea how much I would covet a vintage hemp sheet from France. When we shopped the flea markets in Paris and Provence, I was focused on other things on my shopping list. I have been a major fan of Kaari Meng and her business, French General, for a long time. Even after studying both of her first two books, and reading her blog, The Warp and The Weft, hemp sheets still weren't on my radar. Then I was setting the table for a dinner party, and realized I NEEDED said hemp sheet for the perfect effect. They are pricey little suckers. So I started keeping my eye open for good deals on hunks of nubby linen fabric. After some half-hearted attempts at not finding a bargain on linen, I came up with this solution.

I would tea dye a damask tablecloth I already owned, and use burlap as sort of a runner/second layer. Several lifetimes ago, I had a cloth doll business, and tea dyed the muslin for their bodies. It's an easy process, and produced just the look I was after. There is no need to iron damask anymore. I really prefer the soft and rumpled look.

The burlap was easy to find at Jo-Anns. I cut off a long length, washed it and dried it. I am really pleased with the look! And at a cost of under $6.00 for the burlap, really pleased with the cost.

And I must give credit to the KINGS OF BURLAP, the boys of Barn House.