Linen Throw

A New Linen Throw and Tutorial

Summer in most places boasts of hot temperatures, outdoor living, playing in the water, and sun.  And while people are shedding layers and basking in the sun, we are still bundled up in sweatshirts and blankets.  It’s cruel, but true.  The reality is, we still need blankets and throws to wrap around us in the summer.  But the sheer definition of summer leaves me less wanting something other than a heavy winter throw to constantly remind us how cold we are.  Can we at least pretend its summer?

So I’ve been keeping my eye out for a new summer throw to grace our living room space.  Something with texture, but more lightweight. I went to the two stores we have (the struggle is real), and wasn’t impressed with my options, and I wasn’t going to spend $30 or more for something I wasn’t thrilled about.

Then, I was scrolling through Instagram one day, (my new favorite source of inspiration, you can follow me here if you don’t already), and Tammy Damore of thecultivatedhome had the most gorgeous charcoal grey linen throw draped over their table for a stunning tablecloth.  And that’s where inspiration was born.  I remembered about 3 yards of blue linen I had in my sewing closet that I had bought several years ago from a thrift store.  I mean, linen + blue, I knew I would use it for something, someday, but for what?  A linen throw of course, with abundant ruffles, and fabric that drapes and oozes romance just laying or rumpled wherever it lands.

Linen Throw

Linen Throw

Linen Throw

When I went to my cupboard I discovered I had three yards of glorious linen, all washed and ready to go.  I decided to use the full width of the material, and have the length be about 2 yards.  I cut 10, 4 inch strips.  I hemmed the top and bottom of the throw with a narrow 1/4″ hem and left the salvage edges.

Linen Throw

Linen Throw

Then I sewed each of the ten strips together, making a very large circle.  On one edge I did a rolled hem with the serger, so it’s a tight serged edge like you see on napkins and tablecloths.  On the other edge, I used my rolled hem foot to do a tiny finished hem.

Linen Throw

I ran a gathering stitch on each of the 10 strips rather than the whole thing.  It’s considerably easier to gather a small section, and there is less chance of a thread breaking, at which point you’d have to start over.  Then I laid the gathered ruffle over the top and pinned it on, two strips on the top and bottom and three on each side so as to make it somewhat evenly spaced.  Then I sewed the ruffle on.  It was a simple project, but if you aren’t feeling overly ambitious about sewing ruffles, you can order the same one I saw on Instagram here from CasaDeLino.

Linen Throw

Linen Throw

I love how it turned out.  I will be keeping my eye out for more linen for sure.

Linen Throw

Linen Throw

There’s nothing like the liquid drape of linen.  The natural wrinkle brings a casual quality to the elegant but nubby material.  And the color is perfect.

Linen Throw

Linen Throw

I may just drape the whole thing over the linen couch this summer to guard against the dirt the boys seems to be gracing our home with these days.

Or snuggle up with a cup of coffee before the kids awake…with sunshine beaming and birds singing…we can dream….

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Cheryl

 

A big thank you to the following who featured this post on their blogs:

Seeking Lavender Lane

French Country Cottage

 

Sharing with:

Cedarhill Farmhouse

Savvy Southern Style

Kingsbury Brook Farm

Seeking Lavender Lane

French Country Cottage