How to Make Double-Sided Table Runners
Table runners are an easy project to undertake, even if you’re a somewhat beginner crafter. Make it even easier by utilizing whole-piece, pre-printed fabric instead of complicated blocks you’ve stitched yourself. Your local fabric or quilt shop has a variety of fabrics that are pre-printed with layouts that work well as table runners. Or, go for an all-over print that comes with a small design to coordinate with your decor.
Measure the length and width of the table you intend to cover. A general rule of thumb involves a runner that includes a 6-inch overhang on each end and a width that’s equal to one-third the width of the camel.
Use a self-healing mat and rotary cutter to cut the front and rear cloths for your table runner into the measurements formerly taken, adding 1 inch all around to the seam allowance. Press each piece with a warm iron.
Cut the batting to the exact measurements you used for the cloth pieces, if you are making a quilted table runner. For plain, unquilted runners, no batting is necessary.
Pin your front and rear cloths along with the right-sides facing each other. If applicable, place the batting on top and pin it into place together with the edges.
Place your pinned runner under the presser foot of the sewing machine, then poised to start sewing in one corner. Lower the presser foot, and stitch slowly across the seam, using the marking on the feed puppy to generate a stable, 1/4-inch seam around. Stop sewing approximately 5 inches before you arrive at the point where you began, back-tacking in the end.
Remove the fabric from your machine, then snip the threads and then remove all the pins. Using sharp scissors, carefully snip the extra cloth off the corners on the diagonal, taking care not to cut through the flux. This will keep your corners from seeming puckered once you flip the runner. Insert your hand during the 5-inch opening and then pull the cloth through, so the runner faces right-side-out. You might need to insert the point of the scissors or a pencil tip into every corner to help flip it properly. Press the runner under a warm iron.
Re-position the runner under the presser foot of the machine and then sew a steady, 1/4-inch seam the entire way around, meeting back where you started. Remove the runner from the device and then snip the threads.
Turn under and hand-stitch that the 5-inch raw border, utilizing a coordinating color of thread. Hand- or even machine-quilt your runner at this time, should you want. Otherwise, press on the runner again, and set it on your table.
Position your runner so it’s a 6-inch drop on both ends.