How to Make a Table Runner
Table runners are a terrific way to dress up a table and decorate it to match your mood no matter what the occasion. With the enormous variety of fabrics in all different colors and styles you can be sure to find a fabric for your table runner that will match perfectly and give your table just the flair that it needs.
The good news is that table runners are very easy to make and require just basic sewing skills which make them a wonderful project for beginner sewers. Here’s how to make your own table runner.
You can make your table runner out of any kind of fabric that you like, however it is a good idea to choose a fabric that is washable so you can just toss it in the washing machine to clean any spills.
Cotton or cotton blend fabrics are probably the best choice for fabric for a table runner since they are very easy to care for and come in a nice selection of colors and patterns. The fabric that you select can either be patterned or plain and can be in any color that you would like.
You will also need a backing fabric to create the back of the table runner. You can either use the same fabric that you use on the front for the back, or you can use a different coordinating fabric and make your table runner reversible.
The amount of fabric that you need will depend upon the size of table that you are planning to make the runner for. Each yard of fabric measures 36″ and you will need to buy enough fabric to run the length of your table and leave some hanging down over each side.
So for instance, if you had a 60″ table you should buy 2 1/4 yards of fabric to be sure to have enough length to create the table runner. Make sure to purchase the same amount of the backing fabric as well so you have enough to create both sides of your table runner.
It is a good idea to wash and dry your fabric before sewing it (if it is washable and can be dried) so that any shrinkage will be taken care of for future washings. After you have washed the fabric press it with an iron to remove any wrinkles. You are now ready to begin!
Begin by measuring out the length of your fabric using a yard stick and a fabric marking pen. Make sure the table runner is at least as long as your table, and if you want any to hang over the ends add extra in for that as well.
Most table runners are anywhere from 16″ - 24″ wide depending upon how long they are. If you have a very long table runner you may want to add extra width to it to keep it from looking too scrawny. For a small table you may want to keep it on the narrower side.
Cut the fabric an inch wider and two inches longer than you want your table runner to be which will leave you with a 1/2″ seam allowance for sewing the pieces together. Cut a piece of backing fabric to match. To make matching the front and back easier you can cut both pieces of fabric at once if you prefer.
Next, you are going to create a point on the ends of the table runner. To keep your point uniform, measure to find the center of the short side at both ends of your fabric and make a small mark. Next, on each side of fabric measure 5″ or 6″ down the long edge from the end of the fabric and make a small mark.
Draw a line to connect the dot in the center of the short edge to each of the dots on the side edges of the fabric and cut along these lines. This will leave you with pointed ends that really help to dress up your table runner.
Once your fabric is cut you need to sew it together. Put the two pieces of fabric with their right sides together and pin them in place. Using a half inch seam allowance stitch most of the way around the outer edge of the fabric, leaving a hole just large enough to turn your table runner right side out.
Fold the raw edge of the remaining fabric to the inside of the table runner and hand stitch the opening you left closed.
Press the table runner with a hot iron to flatten the seams and make everything nice and crisp. Sew on optional trim, tassels or decorations at your discretion to create whatever style of table runner you want.
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