Hey everyone! Today we're making a calm, go-with-everything table runner, and I'll show you how a soft sand batik can carry the whole table.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric
This is the Banyan 80456-30 TILEWORK SAND 45" wide fabric per yard from Fabric Fanatics.
It's a batik. It's 45" wide. It's made by Banyan. And it's sold by the yard here at Linda's.
The name tells you the story. Tilework is the design name. Sand is the color. So think of a tile-inspired pattern in a warm, sandy neutral.
That neutral part is why I love it. Sand sits easy with white dishes and with wood. It does not fight your table. It settles it.
Batiks press crisp and hold an edge well. That helps on a runner. Your cuts stay clean. Your long seams stay straight. Just like that, it looks tidy without trying too hard.
The project: a weekend table runner
We're making a runner that finishes about 14" wide by 44" long. That's a good, honest size, folks. Long enough for most dining tables. Narrow enough to stay out of the way.
The plan is simple on purpose. One wide center panel of Tilework Sand. Two narrow side strips from the same fabric, turned to change the direction. No tiny piecing. No points to match.
Why does this fabric suit it? A tile pattern needs a little room to show. Cut it too small and you lose it. In a wide panel, the pattern reads clear and calm.
And here's the permission beat. It does not have to be perfect. A seam that wobbles a hair still makes a pretty runner. You're your own worst critic, I promise. Take your time. It's not a race.
Materials
- 1 yard of Banyan 80456-30 TILEWORK SAND for the top and binding
- 3/4 yard of a coordinating 45" wide fabric for the backing
- Batting cut about 18" by 48", so you have extra all around
- Thread to blend with the sand
- Rotary cutter, long ruler, and mat
- Pins or clips, plus an iron
- A walking foot if you have one
One yard at 45" wide gives you plenty here. Save the scraps, too. Matching coasters are super duper easy.
Brief steps
One. Press your fabric first. Cut one center panel 10 1/2" wide by 44 1/2" long. Cut two side strips, each 2 1/2" wide by 44 1/2" long. Lay them out before you sew.
Two. Turn one side strip end to end. That little flip changes the tile direction just enough. I like the movement, but the final call is completely up to you.
Three. Sew a side strip to each long edge of the center. Use a 1/4" seam allowance, an 80/12 needle, and a stitch length of about 2.5. Press the seams toward the center. You should be near 14 1/2" by 44 1/2".
Four. Layer the backing wrong side up, the batting, and the top right side up. Smooth from the middle out. Baste well, with pins about every 4". A runner likes to shift if you let it.
Five. Quilt it simply. Stitch in the ditch along both long seams first. Then add echo lines about 1" apart, at roughly 8 to 10 stitches per inch. Go slow near the ends. Slow down or the layers can bunch up on you.
Six. Trim to 14" by 44". From your leftover fabric, cut binding strips at 2 1/2" wide and join them end to end. You need a little over 116" to go around, plus extra for corners. Sew it on, fold it over, and stitch it down.
Practical tips
Press every seam as you go. I know it is tempting to skip it. But a flat top quilts flatter, and a runner needs to lie flat.
I have absolutely sewn a side strip on backwards and quilted half of it before I noticed. The fix was simple. I ripped a few inches, flipped it, and sewed it again. Learn from my mistake, y'all. Pin a note to the top end first.
Want options? You have them. Use straight echo lines like I do here. Try ruler work for a crisp, modern feel. Or use a gentle meander freehand for something softer. We're not reinventing the wheel here. All three work.
Need it longer? Add the same amount to all three cuts. Oh my goodness, that is the beauty of a simple runner.
If I can do this, y'all can do it. Really really. One pretty neutral, one weekend, and your table is dressed.
Thanks for sewing along with me, folks. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Banyan 80456-30 TILEWORK SAND 45" wide fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
