Hey everyone! Today we're making a simple table runner with one pretty blue floral batik, and I'll show you how to finish it in a weekend.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric
This is the Anthology 5015 - Blue w/flowers 45" wide fabric per yard from Fabric Fanatics.
It's a batik. It's 45" wide. And it's sold by the yard here at Linda's.
The name tells you what to expect. Anthology is the name in the title, 5015 is its number, and this one is blue with flowers. That is all the product listing promises, and honestly, that is plenty to work with.
Now, why do I like a batik for the table? Batiks have that rich, layered look. The color is not flat. It shifts a little in the light. Put it down the middle of a table, and the whole room feels a little softer.
A blue floral is also forgiving. It looks fresh for everyday meals. It dresses up nice for company, too. You do not need five fabrics competing here. Let this one be the star.
Completely up to you how you cut it, of course. One long, uncut panel keeps it simple and shows off the flowers. Cutting it into wide strips gives you a little piecing practice. I will show you the simple panel version first.
The project: a weekend table runner
We're making a runner that finishes about 14" by 44".
That is a good size, folks. Long enough for most dining tables. Narrow enough that it will not hang off the sides and get caught on everything.
Why does this fabric suit it? A table runner is mostly flat and on display. A batik with flowers gives you pattern and movement without any tricky matching. Your quilting will add gentle texture, not a test you have to pass.
Materials
- 1 yard of Anthology 5015 - Blue w/flowers for the top
- 1 yard of a backing fabric
- Batting cut about 18" by 48", so you have extra all around
- Thread that blends with the blue
- Rotary cutter, ruler, and mat
- Pins or clips, and a walking foot if you have one
One yard at 45" wide gives you room to cut your runner top and still have fabric left over. Save those scraps. A matching set of coasters is a super duper easy second project.
Brief steps
One. Press your fabric first. Use a hot, dry iron. Batiks press crisp and flat, and that makes cutting so much easier.
Two. Trim the top to 14 1/2" by 44 1/2". That extra 1/2" is your seam allowance. Measure twice, then cut once. Just like that, you are rolling.
Three. Layer backing face down, batting, then your batik top face up. Smooth from the middle out. Pin about every 4" so nothing shifts while you quilt.
Four. Quilt it simply. I like straight echo lines about 1" apart, running the long way. Put in an 80/12 needle, set your stitch length to about 2.5, and go slow. Slow down near the ends or the layers can bunch up on you. Ask me how I know. I have rushed that part before, y'all.
Five. Trim the edges even all the way around. Take your time here. A clean trim makes the binding sit nice and flat.
Six. Bind with double-fold binding cut at 2 1/2" wide. That width wears well on a runner that will get moved, washed, and used. Stitch it down, press it, and lay it out flat.
Practical tips
Test your quilting lines on a scrap sandwich first. Ten minutes of testing saves you an hour with a seam ripper. We're not reinventing the wheel here.
Want options? You have them. Stitch in the ditch if you pieced strips. Use ruler work for crisp, straight lines. Or try a gentle meander freehand if you want a softer look. My preference is simple echo lines on this one, but it is completely up to you.
Worried about pointed ends? Skip them this time. Square ends are classic, they are easier to bind, and they look really really good with a floral like this.
And here's the permission beat, because I mean it every time. It does not have to be perfect. A slightly wavy line still holds your centerpiece just fine. You're your own worst critic, folks, and nobody at your table is measuring your runner. Take your time. It's not a race. If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Alrighty. Thanks so much for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Anthology 5015 - Blue w/flowers 45" wide fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
