LuvDylan&Holly Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 What do you all use for staircase runners? I have looked at some runners that they sell at the mini websites, but they say they are 2 inches wide, which is the exact width of the BH stairs. I wanted to leave a little space on each side of the runner. I made a runner for my winding bottom floor staircase, but I'm not sure if I like it. I glued a piece of fabric trim to a ribbon. It seemed like a great idea at the time, but I'm afraid that it looks less like a stair runner, and more like a........well......a piece of fabric trim glued to a ribbon, lol. It looks a bit too bright and flashy, and my dh said that from his angle it looked like a wrapper to a Cadbury Cream Egg. Not my idea of fancy for an upscale Victorian dining room. I haven't done anything yet with the second floor staircase in terms of a runner, but I'm more concerned about that one, since it would be more visible. Any info on this matter would be greatly appreciated so I can move on to obsessing over the next aspect of the house, lol. Stacey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrellandmelissa Posted October 3, 2006 Share Posted October 3, 2006 Since the ribbon fabric seem to bright and flashy perhaps a tea dye could help tone it down some. Melissa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakyshaky Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 In the trim section of my Joanns they have trims that look like rugs in ribbon form. If you have one near you it woul dbe worth a look. They come in a few widths too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniMadWoman Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 I ordered a staircase runner from miniatures.com. They're all 2" wide, but I laid it in and I do have space on either side of the stair. I've posted a picture below. They have four or five different styles of runners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wenlaine Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 I print out my own on fabric. Then I can choose the pattern or design I want, I can make it however long or wide I want, and also I can have it bend if the staircase is like the one in my Van Buren. (Have a look in my Blog on the Van Buren). In my Jefferson, I printed out the small pattern in the wallpaper to use for the stair runner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniMadWoman Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Wendy, how do you "treat" the runner after you've printed it? Do you use varnish on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wenlaine Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 No Teresa, I don't use anything. After the ink is dried, the instruction say to rinse in cold water and let dry. After that I just glue it in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniMadWoman Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Well, that sounds easy enough. Do you have actual instructions, Wendy? Could you post them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wenlaine Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 I think it depends on which brand you purchase. The instructions may differ, I'm not sure. I use Miracle Fabric Sheets by C. Jenkins Company. Here's the link: http://www.cjenkinscompany.com/product_p/n...ic%20sheets.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilovecats Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Great ideas! I have some staircase runners that are printed on a stiff type of fabric, i got them from a Canadian seller on ebay. They are really pretty. The downside is that they are so still I can't get them to sit on the stairs right and look pretty...so they will be floor runners instead. Ah well. I'll try the ribbon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniMadWoman Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Thanks for the link Wendy! I'll have to give them a try!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuvDylan&Holly Posted October 4, 2006 Author Share Posted October 4, 2006 You are all my heroes! I am going to try to tea dye the runner I have already installed on the first floor. If it still looks funky, then I will rip it out, and try one of these other options. I am excited about looking into these options for my second floor staircase. That is the one I am really concerned about, because it is so much more visible. Wendy, do you print on fabric for your area rugs as well? And does that also work for other types of fabric inside the house? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wenlaine Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Not for my rugs, no. I have printed on fabric to make a quilt for the Orchid and I was pleased with how it turned out. Here's a pic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shy Spirit Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 I have some staircase runners that are printed on a stiff type of fabric, i got them from a Canadian seller on ebay. They are really pretty. The downside is that they are so still I can't get them to sit on the stairs right and look pretty...so they will be floor runners instead. Maybe you could soften them up by soaking them in cool water, and a little fabric softener? Or you could try the tablecloth thingy - cover the stairs in wax paper or cling wrap, then soak the runners in a diluted glue wash, lay them over the stairs, and let dry. Once dry (and hopefully formed to fit the stairs), remove the runners, then the waxed paper/cling wrap, replace the runners, and "Bob's your uncle"! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuzyQ Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 I am always just so in awe of everyones talent!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms. Mini Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 my favorite thing to use for stair runners is velvet fabric. at michaels you can buy a 1/2 yard of it in the bargin bin for like 1.99. its the dark red wine colore velvet and i cut that based on the size of my steps and usual trim it with a type of lace. thats what i did for my garfield.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HerOdyssey Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Here's a suggestion based on something I did; I went online, and found a delicate oriental runner, and repeated the pattern on Photoshop, setting the width to match my staircase. I then printed it on iron-on transfer (I learned by experience to find 'flat' transfer as opposed to shiny. But I ironed that onto a piece of off white linen, I then cut the transfer out, making sure to iron the edges of it under and then sewing it. It ended up being a very detailed, nice looking runner. You can see an image of it in my gallery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Posted October 4, 2006 Share Posted October 4, 2006 Looks great and I am going to save those tips as I will need something like this in my Chantilly when I get to that ... Hugs and thank you for all the great tips! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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