Embedded Files
Ah, Christmas. One of the most joyous times of the year, if only because of the implied vacation time and understanding that little actual work will be accomplished following Thanksgiving. Something I particularly enjoy is decorating my home to reflect the seasons - Christmas is an opportunity to do that over-the-top holiday effect free of judgement.
In this post, another long one because I don't know why I keep doing this to myself, we'll go through not one, not two, but FOUR Tutorials for the season!
Important Note: This post was originally very long and came in the 4 parts described above. This makes it difficult to navigate, especially if you're looking for the project all the way at the bottom and extra especially if you're on a phone. Use the buttons below to go to the 4 posts, now separated for ease of reading.
Festive Table Runner
Festive Table Runner
Table runners are a great way to make your table festive with a really low amount of effort.
Of course, you can make very fancy table runners, quilting pieces together to form an elaborate pattern.
Personally, I prefer a simple table runner made in a patterned fabric and wide enough to use as a placemat. It's a nice effect and I have any extra linens to wash. Win win.
Materials
Materials
Fabric of your choice (see step 1 for sizing)
Matching thread
2 weights for the ends (quarters, washers, tassels, whatever)
Sewing machine
Fabric scissors OR rotary cutter and cutting mat
Long ruler
Chalk / pencil / fabric pen (something to mark with)
Step 1 - Determine the Size of the Table Runner
Step 1 - Determine the Size of the Table Runner
This math is pretty simple: measure the length of your table. Now add 16 inches (8 inch overhang on either side). Congrats, that's the length of your table runner. For my little table, that's 72 inches + 16 = 88 inches.
To determine width, you can just measure across the table and see what looks right to you. You can also just use my measurement: 20 inches. Plenty wide to serve as a placemat.
Remember to *also determine your seam allowance* and add that to the measurements you write down for the next step. I like 1/2 inch, so that means I'll be cutting a 21 inch wide by 89 inch runner.
So how much fabric do you need? *You will need TWO pieces,* so make sure your runner's width measurement can be doubled across the width of the fabric. If not, you'll need double the length of the runner in fabric. For my width, I planned on using regular 44 inch wide quilters cotton. Since I need two 21 inch widths, that fits just about perfectly across the fabric. This meant I just needed to order the total length of the runner (65 inches), rounded to the nearest half yard - 2.5 yards total.
Step 2 - Cut Out Your Pieces
Step 2 - Cut Out Your Pieces
After you've pre-washed and pressed your fabric, lay it out on your cutting table. We'll first cut it down to the right width and length, then do the triangles for the ends.
Fold the fabric lengthwise (hot dog style) with right sides together. AKA, selvage to selvage.
Now, fold the fabric in half the other direction (along the selvages). If that doesn't make sense, skip it - it just means you'll have to measure and cut the end triangles twice instead of all together.
You might notice that in the photo, I've clipped the fabric layers together with hem clips to make them behave and hold still. This is a great trick when working with multiple layers or heavy fabrics.
Square up the edges, then measure and mark the width of your table runner. For me, this meant trimming the selvages off (shown in the photo), then measuring over 21 inches and cutting a straight line parallel to where the selvages were.
If you folded the fabric twice as I did, this should mean you're cutting through four layers of fabric at once. If you rounded your fabric purchase to the nearest half yard, go ahead and just cut the width out all along the length of your fabric to make a big rectangular strip.
If you have more fabric than the total length, cut the fabric down the appropriate length. If you've folded the fabric so the ends are together, you'll take HALF of what needs to be removed and trim that off the end (because you're cutting it from both ends at once).
Now we cut the ends to make the nice triangular point. If you would prefer a rectangular table runner, skip this step.
To make the point, mark halfway across your runner's width (10.5 inches for me) and decide how severe you want your angle. I went with 8 inches vertically. Mark that height on both sides of the runner, then connect it to the center marking with a straight line. This should shape your triangle. Cut along the line for all layers. If you are only cutting two layers, repeat at the other end.
Step 3 - Pin & Sew
Step 3 - Pin & Sew
Work your way around the table runner, pinning along the edges. A quick tip on pinning: you want your pins to be *perpendicular* to the edge of the fabric. This lets you come right up to the pin when sewing and helps prevent the fabric from slipping along the length of the pin. The video to the side shows the pinning process in a time lapse.
*Remember to leave a gap large enough to turn the project right side out.* I like to mark the gap with a double set of pins so I remember to actually stop when at the sewing machine.
Once all the pins are in place, sew around the table runner, *remembering to leave your gap* and following the seam allowance you set at the beginning. Pro-tip: Mark the gap with a pin or clip so you can find it in the next step.
Step 4 - Trim, Turn, Press
Step 4 - Trim, Turn, Press
If you used anything larger than 1/4 inch seam allowance, trim it down to 1/4 inch. I like to use pinking shears because it helps prevent the fabric from fraying. If you don't have pinking shears, no worries! Regular cutting will do just fine.
Using the gap you left while sewing, turn the table runner right-sides-out.
Using an iron heated to an appropriate temperature for your fabric, press all the way around. You may need to fiddle with the seams a bit to get them to turn all the way out. That's OK - take your time.
Remember to also press your gap so it sits flush with the rest of the seams. I also like to pin along my fresh pressed seams so they stay put while topstitching in the next step.
Step 5 - Add Weights & Topstitch
Step 5 - Add Weights & Topstitch
Weights are technically not necessary, but I like my table linens to stay where I put them. For this example, I'm using two quarters to provide the weight. You can really just just about anything for this as long as it's not plastic which may melt in the dryer and ruin all your work. Washers work particularly well.
Insert your two weights via the gap you left while sewing and jostle them generally towards either end of the runner. *Keep them away from the edges for now* - you don't want to hit one and break a needle while topstitching!
Topstitch around the table runner using your matching thread and removing any pins as you go. Again, be careful to avoid the weighs you just added. Remember to also stitch across the gap.
Once you've gone all the way round, find your weights and jostle them so they sit in the tips of the ends of the runner.
Stitch a straight line just above the weights so that they're trapped in the ends and won't go a-roaming when you put it through the washing machine.
That's it! Go add your new table runner to your décor and brag to all your friends and family that you made it yourself.
There you have it, friends! Four beginner projects to kick start your Christmas season.
This post and the last were pretty long, you can expect the next few to be a tad shorter.
Posts come every other Friday - You can follow me here on the blog by filling out the form at the bottom of the page and get lots of extra content between posts by following me on TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook!
Now, go forth and bring some Christmas spirit to the world!
Originally published December 4, 2020.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse