How to cut burlap, also includes how to wash burlap with tips for drying. Complete directions for properly preparing burlap fabric so it’s easy to work with, plus tips for a straight cut.
This is one of those posts that I have wanted to write for a very long time. I have several burlap projects on my blog, yet I never showed you how to wash burlap so it’s easier to work with. I’m also including tips for drying burlap, and detailed instructions that explain how to cut burlap. I’ve got this down to a science, so let’s talk burlap! I admit that I was late to the burlap party but when I finally arrived, I realized how fun it was. Burlap has many good qualities, along with some bad ones. Thankfully, I think the good outweighs the bad.
The very best thing about burlap is that it’s budget friendly. At 40 to 50 inches wide, you can find it for $2 – $3 per yard. It’s neutral in color, and goes with many different decor styles. Burlap has come a long way in the last few years. It’s now available in different colors and prints. I fell in love with the print above with the birds and the branches. In the image above you can see what my burlap looked like right off the bolt. Very stiff and very smelly. Let me show you what to do to fix that!
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How to Wash Burlap
I usually buy burlap in lengths of 3 to 5 yards. Click HERE for a great source. I wash each length in my washing machine with the regular amount of detergent. It has never harmed or clogged up my washer in any way. I also add fabric softener to the rinse cycle, and lower the spin cycle to medium. I try to catch it as soon as it’s finished so no wrinkles set in. I dry it on a normal dryer cycle, but make sure your lint catcher is completely clean before you dry any burlap. The lint and fuzz from the burlap will fill it up. After it comes out of the dryer, I head outside and shake the daylights out of it. More fuzz comes out and the good thing is it’s outside, and not in your house. Here is what burlap looks like after being washed and dried.
The ends will be a mess and it will be wrinkled. The next step is to iron it. I use my regular iron on the hottest steam setting. I spritz it with water a section at a time, and then just start ironing. This 3-yard piece took me about 15 minutes. It won’t be completely smooth, but it will be flat, and be much easier to cut.
Cutting burlap is easy. All it takes is a little practice and you will be a pro!
How to cut burlap so it’s straight:
- Lay your burlap on a hard surface so the end is running up and down in front of you.
- Find where you want the cut line to be and make a small snip in the burlap.
- Pull a thread from where you made your snip. Just keep tugging at it and the burlap will start to gather. Gently pull the thread until it comes completely out of the burlap. If it breaks don’t worry. Just find where it broke off and start pulling from there.
- You will see a sort of channel where the thread used to be.
- Carefully cut along this channel from one side to the other.
- You now have a perfectly straight end to your burlap.
Note: the bird burlap is no longer available. Printed burlap fabric can be found at fabric and craft stores.
I washed a small piece of the bird burlap to see if the pattern would fade, and it did a little. I decided to go ahead and wash the whole piece, and I love the way it turned out. It’s faded and looks very vintage. Here are links to three tables runners that are super easy, and they are all made with burlap.
Burlap Table Runners:
I used to be a burlap skeptic, but after working with it, I am completely won over. If you are skeptical, just give it a try. You might surprise yourself, and end up liking it too!
What a awesome article Ann. I love the bird burlap .I also want to know if it takes the smell out. Seems like a lot of work to me.I used some in my basement to cover a shelf that has paint cans & etc. I just folded it over a tension rod and took some clothes pins to hold it in place. it not perfect but it serves the purpose ( cover up the paint cans ) The bird fabric would have been sweet !!!
I usually hang it out for a little while straight out of the washer, let it dry some then iron it while still slightly damp, for me it helps it not to be quite so wrinkled. I also do this with linen. I still have yet to really like working with it but I do know some projects just look better in burlap.
Yes I know some other crafters who air dry their burlap too. Another great option!
Thanks for this, Ann. I have wondered about the printed burlap, and bought some when I was last down in WA and visited a Jo-Anne fabric store. All my burlap is in storage, but now that the house has sold I can get it all back home and have some fun!
I am so happy you sold your house. What a weight lifted off your shoulders. Hope you and The Great Dane are at peace in your new home…where ever that is!
Good simple and easy to follow advice Ann. I worked for many years for JoAnn Fabrics back in the 1990’s and this is how we were taught to cut burlap. A lot of customers didn’t understand it and we had to have a mini burlap cutting classes while we were taking care of the customer.
Actually Diann when I was buying this burlap there were several gals gathered around the cutting table. None of them knew it could be washed so I gave a mini tutorial right there on the spot. They were all very amazed!
Great tutorial Ann! I love that printed burlap.
Thanks, Ann, for these helpful instructions. Everything I’ve ever read said NOT to dry burlap in the dryer, but now that I know it won’t shrink to a one inch square or blow the dryer up (ha!), I’m doing it! It would certainly help with the lint aspect tremendously! Thanks again for sharing!
This is fabulous Ann. I never even tried to wash burlap because I didn’t know how and was afraid I would ruin it. Thanks for the great tips!
Thanks for the tips, Ann. I have not gotten on the burlap bandwagon because of the texture and smell.
Ann, I love working with burlap, too! I usually make banners like your reversible one. Do you wash burlap when you want it to be more like fabric? And does it remove the odor?
Thanks! Kim
Great tips Ann, it’s amazing how much lint comes off that fabric. I always try to work with it outside for just that reason. Pinning!