I decided that I could work hessian runners into my wedding scheme. I've just received the batch I ordered and have had a look at it. It looks fine but it does have loose looking threads in the body of it that look like they could unravel and leave holes. Following advice I had decided I would wash and iron the hessian before making the runners. I knew this may mean fraying at the edges which would have to be cut off but there's plenty to play with so that's ok, but I'm thinking surely if I wash it some of these loose threads will turn into holes.
I think holes in the actual body of hessian runner will just look awful rather than charming and rustic. I originally was looking a runners made of cotton, as usual, but it was working out quite expensive and all for tables that we'll never see again.
So I started looking at hessian as a second choice but now it's grown on me and is actually my preferred choice over the cotton! However, I still have time to order ready made runners in cotton if I do it now and thinking may save heartache if I just do that instead of looking like I've got moth eaten old sacking on my table!?