How to Cut Burlap

@JagCagDesign
by @JagCagDesign
2 Materials
$20
10 Minutes
Easy

Ok, friends! I’ve got a quick and easy tip for you so that you can cut burlap or any other loose weave fabric in a straight, professional way! It is SO easy and makes a huge difference as to how your project turns out! I’ve used this method for burlap curtains, and today I’m making a tablecloth. I ordered my burlap off Amazon for less than $20. The first thing I did was wet it to get out all the wrinkles. I just hung it on our fence and sprayed it with the hose, then hung it in a shady spot (to avoid sun fading) to dry.

Next, I measured my fabric and made a short one-inch cut at the length I wanted.

After that, I found one loose thread that was running the width of the fabric, and gently pulled it!


If it breaks, that’s ok. You can find the new end and keep pulling. You want to end up with a gap in the weave, like this:

You will use this as your straight line to cut the fabric. If you cut without using this technique, you won’t get a pretty edge - I can almost guarantee it!

Do this, and you’ll end up with a nice straight cut!

From there, if you’d like to add a fringe, you can gently pull out additional threads.

Make the fringe as long as you’d like!


Here’s my finished table. What do you think?

I love using burlap because it’s natural, rustic, beautiful and inexpensive. I hope you liked this tutorial. I’d love it if you’d follow me on Insta and Facebook @jagcagdesign for lots of other home & garden inspo!


xo,

jamey

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  • Johnsonsnest Johnsonsnest on Aug 04, 2022

    great project.

    really want to know where you got your hanging lights from.

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  • Zoe Emiko Zoe Emiko on Aug 16, 2022

    I place a piece of kitchen plastic wrap under my burlap and run a couple thin lines of white school glue where I want to cut. Let the glue dry and cut between the lines. The advantage is this also prevents the cut burlap edge from fraying. I learned this in an art class in high school in the early 70's.

    • Emmawilliams1 Emmawilliams1 on Aug 04, 2023

      But she wanted the finished product to have frayed lines and that I love. Your suggestion, I will keep in mind..Thank you for the tip..😘

  • Happy Days Hometalker Happy Days Hometalker on Aug 04, 2023

    I love burlap projects, it's a good tip, thanks!

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