DIY Duct Tape Table Runner

Get a head start on spring and add some color to your home by making your own table runner. I love making table runners because they are a fun, really affordable way to add a pop of color and pattern to the table. These geometric table runners are made from supplies I already had on hand and some Scotch Colors and Patterns Duct Tape. It’s so easy to make you can just swap it out for each occasion or season. They would look great on a dessert table at a party or even on a patio table at a barbecue.

Supplies:
– Scotch Colors and Patterns Duct Tape (I used Pattern Crazy, Cherry Red, Sea Blue and  Grey Elephant)
– Cardstock, 8.5″ x 11″ sheets, any color
– Scissors
– Ruler
– Pencil

Start by marking the top of the short side of a sheet of card stock at 3″, 6″, and 7.5″ inches. Do the same on the bottom edge of the paper.

To create the multicolored, geometric runner I used the Pattern Crazy tape and cut my card stock in 3″ x 11″ strips and 1.5″ x 11″ strips. For the other runner I used the Gray Elephant tape and the Sea Blue tape. The elephant strips are the same width as the tape, 1.88″ x 11″, and the blue strips are half the width.

If you want to make a runner with thinner strips, like the elephant one, you do not need to measure the paper. Just place the tape on the card stock and cut along the edge of the tape. To create the narrower strips, simply cut the paper strips in half lengthwise.

Use the ruler to divide the sheet of card stock into 2, 3″ strips and 1, 1.5″ strip.

Cut along the lines. You will not use the remaining 1″ wide strip.

Repeat this step with the other sheets of card stock. To make a 42″ runner, I used 10, 3″ strips and 9, 1.5″ strips. If your table is larger, you will need to create more strips.

Carefully place the tape on top of the card stock strip, making sure the edge of the tape aligns with the edge of the paper. Leave about 1/4″ of tape on each end.

Wrap the excess tape towards the back of the card stock.

Repeat this with a second piece of tape. The tape will overlap the first piece of tape. Repeat this step with the remaining paper strips.

Since the 1.5″ wide paper strips are slightly smaller than the tape, you will need to trim the excess tape off the side before folding in the edges.

Place the paper strips with the tape covered side down and start laying them out. I kept the wide strips at the same height and alternated which thin strips were above and below them.

Secure the seams with some additional duct tape; I used the Cherry Red tape.

Repeat this with the other strips until your runner is the length you want. I found it easiest to keep everything lined up when I only added a few strips at a time.

If you find your scissors getting sticky as you cut the tape, just spray some sticker remover spray on a paper towel or rag and wipe your blades clean.

Want to see what else you can make with Scotch® Duct Tape? Check out their Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter pages for more project inspiration.

I am proud to be a 3M- sponsored blogger, and, as part of my responsibilities, I get the opportunity to evaluate new products from Scotch® Duct Tape. Opinions are my own and additional product used in the project were selected by me.