Making a Table Runner

Making runners for tables; this straight forward sewing project will spruce up your tables, hutches, and servers, to no end! Using coordinated fabric that matches your decor to make your runners will say; "a designer lives here"! Table runners are very easy to make, and using this pictorial guide will simply save you time, money, and frustration. Avoiding frustration is the key to making quality runners for your tables, that others will envy.

Let’s make a Table Runner

For this project, I’ll be making a very simple table runner for a friend’s beach house. I’ll be using the same material used in Let’s Make Napkins. The most difficult part of this project is learning to make a straight edge on the fabric. Let’s get started.

Why make your own table runners?

Because there’s a vast array of fabrics available to match your decor versus the few varieties of table runners at most stores. They are cheaper to make yourself and environmentally friendly. As you’ll see from this “Let’s Make” series, you will be able to create your own coordinated table top linens that complement your décor and are less expensive.

Fabric

I like to use cotton or cotton blends for my table runners. It washes well and is easy to sew. The fabric for this project is from a local quilt shop. I also use decorator fabrics, most work well. I avoid fabrics with a stiff finish, since they tend to wrinkle excessively when washed.

Tools

I find the best way to cut a table runner is to use a rotary cutter, rotary mat, and two quilt rulers.

Materials needed:

Make a Table Runner Materials

Rotary cutter
Rotary mat
Long ruler or straight edge
Hem Gauge
Thread
½ yard material

Table Runner Steps:

1. Wash and press fabric.

2. Fold fabric in half making sure the selvedge edges are together and the fold is facing your stomach. Align the folded side of the fabric with one of the grid lines on the rotary mat.

Table runner selvedge edges are togethor

3. Place the ruler or straight edge (in this case I am using a carpenters square) on one of the grid lines so that it falls below and above the fabric.

Making a straight edge on your table runner

4. Using the rotary cutter, cut along the edge of the ruler.

Table Runners, using a rotary cutter

5. Measure 15 inches from the edge of the fabric using the rotary mat grid. Place straight edge along the line on the grid that marks 15 inches from the edge of the fabric.

Using the rotary mar grid for runners

6. Using the rotary cutter, cut along the edge of the ruler.

Cutting table runner to size

7. Using the ruler and rotary cutter, cut off the selvedge edges. You should now have a rectangle approximately 42 x 15 inches (unfolded).

Trimming selvedge ediges of runner with rotary cutter

8. Fold the fabric under one inch on both of the long sides (42 in) and press.

Preparing a clean, neat edge, on the table runner

9. Fold fabric edge again ½ inch on both of the long sides.

A second fold, ready to sew

10. Sew as close to the folded edge as possible along both sides and press.

Table runners, sew close to the edge

11. Fold the runner in half lengthwise, right sides together.

Runner in half, right sides together

12. Stitch a seam on the “short” end of the runner. The ends in the photo have been serged, although yours would be the raw edges. Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of stitching to secure the seam.

Making the point on the runner, make sure to backstitch

13. Turn fabric right out to create a point on the short end that has just been stitched. Center the seam so it is in the middle of the runner and press.

Inverting the runner end to form a point