Hey everyone. Today we're making a cheerful fall table runner, and we're letting skinny stripes do the work.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric
This is Bali Batik Skinny Stripes Pumpkin from Hoffman California Fabrics.
It is a Bali batik quilting cotton.
It is cotton.
And it runs 44 to 45 inches wide.
It is sold by the yard.
The pattern is skinny stripes.
Thin lines, close together, nice and crisp.
The color is Pumpkin.
That is a warm orange, folks.
It just feels like fall.
Think porch pumpkins and changing leaves.
But do not box it into October only.
That warm stripe works all year long.
It can warm up a plain dining table.
And it can cheer up a kitchen counter, too.
Stripes are hard workers in my book.
They add direction to a project.
They add movement without a busy print.
And they play so nice with solids.
A batik like this has that rich color we love.
The color feels deep, not flat.
Just like that, a simple runner looks special.
We're not reinventing the wheel here.
Straight cuts, straight seams, pretty fabric.
The project: a fall weekend table runner
We are making a simple striped table runner.
Finished size is about 14 inches by 42 inches.
That fits most dining tables really well.
It leaves room for plates and serving bowls.
And it still shows off down the middle.
Why does this fabric suit it?
A runner is long and narrow by nature.
Skinny stripes love that long shape.
Run them lengthwise and the runner looks longer.
Run them crosswise and it looks cozy and segmented.
Completely up to you.
My preference here is lengthwise.
Those lines just travel down the table.
Super duper easy, and really really pretty.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Materials
- 3/4 yard of Bali Batik Skinny Stripes Pumpkin for the runner top and binding
- 1/4 yard of a solid coordinating quilting cotton for two end accents, if you like
- 1/2 yard of backing fabric, at least 16 inches by 44 inches after cutting
- One piece of low-loft batting, 16 inches by 44 inches
- 50-weight cotton thread for piecing and quilting
- Size 80/12 needle, rotary cutter, long ruler, and pins
Brief steps
- Cut your pumpkin batik into one center panel, 12 1/2 inches by 40 1/2 inches. Keep those skinny stripes running straight along the length as you cut.
- If you are adding end accents, cut two solid strips, each 1 1/2 inches by 12 1/2 inches. Sew one to each short end.
- Sew with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Press the seams flat and neat.
- Layer the backing face down, the batting, then the top face up. Smooth it well and pin or spray baste.
- Quilt along the stripes. Stitch in the ditch on a few lines, or echo a stripe every inch or so. Use a 2.5 stitch length and go steady.
- Trim the runner to a clean 14 inches by 42 inches. Square those corners as best you can.
- Bind with 2 1/2-inch strips cut from your remaining pumpkin batik. That striped binding frames it just right.
Practical tips before you sew
First, mind your stripe direction.
Lay the fabric flat before you cut.
Line your ruler up with a stripe, not just the edge.
That keeps your lines from drifting sideways.
Slow down here, folks.
A wavy cut shows on stripes faster than on a busy print.
Second, press with care as you go.
Press seams flat first, then to one side.
A flat runner quilts easier.
And it sits nicer on the table, too.
Third, think about your quilting spacing.
Quilting every 1 to 2 inches is plenty for a runner this size.
You do not need to chase every single skinny stripe.
Pick a few and let the rest breathe.
You have options on the finish, too.
Add the solid end accents or skip them.
Make it longer at 48 inches if your table needs it.
Completely up to you.
And hear me on this one.
It does not have to be perfect.
You are your own worst critic.
A stripe that eases a hair off straight?
Your family will see a warm table, not a flaw.
Take your time. It is not a race.
Put a favorite mug on it when you are done.
Step back and enjoy that pop of pumpkin.
Oh my goodness, it just makes a room smile.
Alrighty. Thanks for sewing along with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Bali Batik Skinny Stripes Pumpkin 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
