Hey everyone. Today you'll learn how to make a warm bed runner that dresses up a whole bed without making a whole new quilt.
Here we go.
First, let's talk about this fabric.
This is the Brown Coffee Floral Cotton Wideback Fabric Per Yard from Marcus Fabrics.
It is cotton.
It is 108/110 inches wide.
That width changes everything, y'all.
The designer is Carrie Quinn.
The look is floral in brown and coffee tones.
Warm browns. Soft, cozy color.
Florals that feel right at home in a bedroom.
I love a fabric like this for the foot of the bed.
Why?
Because a bed runner sits right where your eyes land.
You see the print up close, every single day.
And this floral has room to breathe.
You are not cutting it into tiny pieces.
You are letting it show off.
Just like that.
Why This Fabric Suits a Bed Runner
A bed runner is a long, narrow quilted strip.
It lays across the foot of the bed.
Mine here finishes about 24 by 90 inches.
That fits nicely across a queen bed.
It hangs a little over each side.
This wideback helps in a big way.
The 90-inch length fits inside the 108/110-inch width.
So your top can be one clean piece.
Your backing can be one clean piece, too.
No piecing. No seam down the middle.
We're not reinventing the wheel here.
Wide fabric plus a long, simple project.
That is a really really good match.
My preference is this floral for the top and the back.
Then the quilting does the decorating.
You could add a narrow border if you like.
Completely up to you.
Materials List
- Brown Coffee Floral Cotton Wideback — about 1 3/4 yards total; the 108/110-inch width gives you the runner top, the one-piece backing, and binding from one cut
- Batting — one piece about 28 by 94 inches, trimmed after quilting
- Thread — a good quilting thread in a warm brown or soft neutral that blends with the floral
- Binding — cut into 2 1/2-inch strips; you will need about 240 inches total for a 24 by 90-inch runner
- Your usual tools — rotary cutter, mat, long ruler, pins or basting spray, and a walking foot or free-motion foot
Here are the numbers I use.
Cut the top 24 1/2 by 90 1/2 inches.
Cut the backing about 28 by 94 inches.
That gives you extra all around for quilting.
Seam allowances are 1/4 inch.
Finished, you get 24 by 90 inches.
Measure your own bed before you cut.
Adjust a few inches if you need to.
Brief Steps
- Press your fabric well. Smooth out every fold before you cut. Folds turn into crooked cuts, folks.
- Lay the wideback flat and check the floral direction. Decide which way you want those florals to run across the bed.
- Cut your top piece, then cut your backing piece a little larger on all sides.
- Layer it up. Backing face down first, batting in the middle, top face up. Smooth from the center out.
- Baste well. Pin every 4 to 6 inches, or use basting spray if that is your preference. A long runner likes to shift, so do not skimp here.
- Quilt it your way. Stitch in the ditch along your edges first to stabilize it. Then echo about 1/4 inch out from a floral shape, or travel gently from flower to flower.
- Keep it simple if you like. A soft meander all over works just fine on a busy floral.
- Start near the center and work out. Aim for about 8 to 10 stitches per inch on a test piece, and keep your pace steady.
- Trim the edges square. Join your binding strips on the diagonal, then bind all the way around.
Practical Tips From My Table
Make a small test sandwich first.
Just 12 by 12 inches is plenty.
Test your tension there, not on the runner.
If the stitches look balanced, you are good.
Slow down when you follow a curve.
Slow down or the needle snaps, and nobody needs that day.
I have wandered right off a petal before.
Oh my goodness, clear off the flower.
We just picked it out and went again.
No harm done.
It doesn't have to be perfect.
You're your own worst critic.
Take your time. It's not a race.
A bed runner is also a kind gift.
It finishes faster than a quilt, but still feels handmade.
Super duper easy, and super duper pretty.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Alrighty. Thank you for spending a little time with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Brown Coffee Floral Cotton Wideback Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
