Is my “hack” to recreate a ludicrously priced pottery barn table runner flawed? (Pic included)

[Koili]

So I have found this runner which I love. But it’s £90! I can’t believe anyone would spend that much for a strip of material. I have found a very similar piece of tartan which is currently on offer for £15/m. Also cotton. I was thinking I would buy the material and make some runners and placemats to create this look I have seen on Pinterest. It seems too straightforward. Am I missing something? I am not handy at all. Is there a reason people wouldn’t do the same? Is pottery barn assuming people
cant be arsed to mark their own even though it’s not that difficult?

It's a very simple project in terms of sewing - do you have a sewing machine? Make sure you buy a decent quality fabric, not wool though as you will want to wash it.

Yes do it and save the cash. You might find a new love for crafting and transform your home for next to nothing.

Neither does the M&S one to be fair.

Sounds like a good plan; just make sure the material is wide enough to look like a proper table runner.

Agree that 90 pounds is crazy.

If you can sew go for it. It will be just rectangles and squares - so super easy.
just make sure it’s the right type of material

Why not? Save some money and have pride in doing it.

I was scrolling through this thread and a damn shein advert opened. Last time I reported it @mnhqfixed it so im hoping by posting they can do that again. It’s so discombobulating! Thanks MN

Rich people will happily buy nice things. I imagine pottery barn wouldn't make it if it didn't sell.

Personally, I couldn't be arsed making a replica of something that's so totally unnecessary. I'll be enjoying my bare white ikea table.

I am donning my tin hat to say I am the proud owner of the Pottery Barn table runner.

I spent ages looking at others because of the price but this one is really wide and perfect. I am using it on a white tablecloth so have justified by not buying a new table cloth.

However the napkins to match are £12 EACH!!!
So I am just using white napkins I have.

There are some runners on Etsy you might also want to look at.

I will admit I do love it and look forward to my gorgeous Christmas table.

@MrsMitford3 tartan paper napkins, John Lewis. Others too if you Google.
https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-plaid-check-paper-napkins-pack-of-20-red/p113563199?s_ppc=2dx_mixed_home_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23140034524&gclid=CjwKCAiAt8bIBhBpEiwAzH1w6YUokRAN3dRl5ymvbFDAJgQONuG_NWEau2Xor-gTDeX3GwM2AJb8ehoC038QAvD_BwE

Even a best friend might not be keen on lending you her machine. I certainly don’t lend mine out. They don’t fare well in inexperienced hands.

Easy enough to make but most people are far too lazy/time poor/no idea how to sew

Wait, Pottery Barn is in the UK now?! I have 2 Pottery Barn runners. One is an about 10 years old Halloween print one that looks as good as the day I bought it but obviously only comes out for 3 weeks a year. The other is on my deck table and also still looks great, even though it is outside. So, even though they're expensive, I think they hold up pretty well.

That said, if you're doing the Ralph Lauren Christmas thing, I'd just go with the 20 quid M&S one.

I am sure I have seen similar on Temu

You don’t even have to do a hem. This kind of look can look really nice with an intentional fringe. One straight stitch to stabilize where you want the fringe to stop is useful, but not mandatory.

Here are a couple of examples of the myriad Temu ones I forgot to link above

It will be fine. Creating frugal dupes is fun.

I would just buy the M&S one OP.

Pottery barn are absolutely relying on the fact people have not the time, inclination or will to DIY.

I very quickly made a table runner for my wedding & used the wonderweb hemming tape that you iron on to bring trousers up. I do have a sewing machine but it was lockdown & I couldn’t go to the shops to get the right colour match thread. It’s still going strong 4 years on & it’s been through the wash countless times, I don’t use it every day but any time someone is over & its a quick way to dress the table up a bit.

It’s so easy & quick, you just need an iron & a damp tea towel (check instructions first as some hemming tapes work with dry heat, others damp), especially if you’re not used to the sewing machine / unsure of what stitch to use / a lot of time can be used unpicking stitches & running through the whole thing again!

It’s very easy I can sew to dressmaking level though had a go at making my own pattern for a Flynn Rider waistcoat for DS Halloween costume and it came out really well.

I do the same and change it every year

Could be the expensive one is lined and backed and a heavier material than the one you would make. That said, it wouldn't be hard to do. Plenty of other good options offered here.

I think the answer is that Pottery Barn markets itself to the more money than sense crowd.

I'm sure the M&S one is lovely. The PB one is unlikely to be 4.5 x as lovely.

Defiately, maybe try other colours too to fit with other themes