Hey everyone! Today you are going to learn how to make a bright bed runner that gives a whole bedroom a fresh pop of color.
Meet the fabric
This one is the Blue Stroke of Genius Cyan Cotton Wideback Fabric per yard.
It comes from PBS Fabrics.
It was made by Paintbrush Studio Fabrics.
It is part of the Stroke of Genius group.
The width of fabric is 118 inches.
That is extra wide, folks.
The fiber type is cotton.
The product notes call it high-quality cotton.
They say it stands the test of time and frequent use.
The color is cyan.
That is a lively, vibrant shade of blue.
The notes describe it as carefully dyed.
And they call this fabric a canvas for your imagination.
It is sold by the yard.
So you can order the length your bed needs.
Why it suits a bed runner
A bed runner is a long, narrow quilted strip.
It lays across the foot of the bed.
It adds color without remaking the whole bed.
This wideback suits it in two big ways.
First, one width covers the runner easily.
You will have no center seam to match.
Second, that bold cyan does the decorating.
You do not need busy piecing.
Let the fabric be the star.
Just like that, simple becomes striking.
I am making a runner for a queen bed today.
It finishes about 90 inches long.
It finishes about 24 inches wide.
That gives a nice drop on both sides.
For a twin, try about 70 by 20 inches.
For a king, try about 106 by 24 inches.
Measure your own bed before you cut.
Completely up to you on the final size.
Materials list
- Blue Stroke of Genius Cyan Cotton Wideback Fabric per yard — 1 yard gives you plenty for the top and the backing for a queen runner, since the fabric is 118 inches wide
- Batting — a piece about 26 by 92 inches for a queen runner
- Binding fabric — 1/2 yard of a coordinating cotton, cut into 2 1/2-inch strips
- Thread — I reach for a 50-weight cotton for piecing and quilting
- A fresh needle — a 90/14 quilting needle for quilting through all three layers
- Rotary cutter, long ruler, and mat, plus pins or clips, an iron, and your sewing machine
Brief steps
Step 1: Press and cut. Press your fabric well. Cut one top piece at 24 1/2 by 90 1/2 inches. Cut one backing piece the same size. The 118-inch width makes both cuts easy from one yard.
Step 2: Layer and baste. Lay the backing wrong side up. Center the batting on top. Lay the top right side up. Smooth from the center out and pin or spray baste well.
Step 3: Quilt it simply. Try straight lines about 2 inches apart. Or try a gentle meander across the whole runner. Keep your stitch length around 3.0 for quilting. Go steady and let the machine feed.
Step 4: Trim and square. Trim the edges even with your ruler. Check both long sides are parallel. This little step makes binding so much easier.
Step 5: Bind the runner. Join your 2 1/2-inch strips. Press the binding in half lengthwise. Sew it on with a 1/4-inch seam, miter the corners, and finish by hand or by machine. Completely up to you.
Step 6: Press and place it. Give the finished runner a good final press. Lay it across the foot of the bed. Step back and enjoy that cyan. Here we go.
Practical tips from my sewing table
Use that wide fabric wisely.
Cut your top lengthwise along the width.
You will waste far less fabric that way.
Save the leftover for pillow shams later.
We're not reinventing the wheel here.
Simple quilting lets bold color shine.
If your lines wander a little, keep going.
Echo a line if you want a fix.
Slow down at the thick binding corners.
Slow down there, or the needle can snap.
Use a walking foot if you have one.
It really really helps feed those layers.
Here is the permission part.
It does not have to be perfect.
You are your own worst critic.
A bed runner is meant to be used and loved.
Take your time. It is not a race.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Make one in cyan for a guest room.
Then, completely up to you, make a second as a gift. Alrighty.
Thank you so much for sewing along with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Blue Stroke of Genius Cyan Cotton Wideback Fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
