Hey everyone! Today you are going to learn how to make a cheerful table runner that lets a fun print do all the talking.
Meet the fabric
This one is the Blue Patch Perfect Girl World cotton from PBS Fabrics.
It is 100% cotton.
The width of fabric is 43/44 inches.
It was made by Paintbrush Studio Fabrics.
It is part of the Patch Perfect collection.
It is also listed as OEKO-TEX CERTIFIED.
The color named in the title is blue.
The motifs are pure fun, folks.
Think lightning bolts and rainbows.
Think stars, microphones, and music.
Think paw prints and tapes in the mix too.
That is a lot of personality in one print.
The product notes call it a lightweight quilting cotton.
It tends to hold its shape even after being washed.
That makes it perfect for quilting and crafting.
It is sold by the yard, so you can order for your table.
Why it suits a table runner
A table runner is a small canvas.
You see the whole print at once.
No tiny piecing hides the good stuff.
That matters with a print like this.
Those rainbows and microphones need room to shine.
A runner also gets washed a lot.
Spills happen. Crumbs happen. Life happens.
So fabric that holds its shape is a real help.
Your runner will come out of the wash looking crisp.
And it is a fast finish, y'all.
I like a finished size around 14 by 40 inches.
That fits most dining tables and sideboards nicely.
Completely up to you.
Materials list
- Blue Patch Perfect Girl World Cotton — 1 yard for the top of a runner about 14 by 40 inches, with room to center motifs
- A coordinating solid or blender cotton — 1/2 yard for a narrow border and backing, pieced if needed
- Batting — one piece about 18 by 44 inches, about 2 inches larger than your top on all sides
- Binding — 1/4 yard, cut into 2 1/2-inch strips, about 120 inches total for this size
- Thread — I reach for a 50-weight cotton for piecing, in a blue or neutral that blends
- A fresh needle — an 80/12 or 90/14 quilting needle is a good starting point
- Pins or clips, a ruler, a marking tool, and a rotary cutter or scissors
Brief steps
Step 1: Press and plan your cut. Press well. Lay the fabric flat and look at the motifs. Decide which rainbows and stars you want front and center. Mark your center panel before you cut.
Step 2: Cut your center panel. Cut one panel about 10 1/2 by 36 1/2 inches. Keep your ruler straight. If a microphone sits right on the cut line, shift the cut a half inch. Just like that, your favorite motifs stay whole.
Step 3: Add the borders. Cut border strips about 2 1/2 inches wide. Sew them to the long sides first, then to the ends. Use a steady 1/4-inch seam. Press away from the center. Your top should land near 14 1/2 by 40 1/2 inches.
Step 4: Make your sandwich. Backing face down. Batting in the middle. Top face up. Smooth from the center out. Pin every 4 to 5 inches so nothing shifts.
Step 5: Quilt it simply. Stitch in the ditch around the center panel first. Then echo that line about 1/4 inch out in the border. Or add a gentle meander in the center if you want texture. Try a stitch length around 2.5 to 3.0. Test on a scrap sandwich first.
Step 6: Bind it. Trim square. Sew on your binding, turn it to the back, and stitch it down. Slow down at the corners. Take your time there, or the corner will fight you.
Practical tips from my table
Fussy cut with patience, folks.
That one extra minute saves regret later.
Check direction before you sew the borders.
Rainbows upside down still look happy, I promise.
But you will notice. So check once.
Keep your quilting simple here.
The print is the star. Let it be.
We're not reinventing the wheel here.
Wash and press it before you gift it.
Here is the permission part.
It does not have to be perfect.
You are your own worst critic.
If a border is off by an eighth of an inch, let it go.
Nobody at the table is measuring. They are smiling.
Take your time. It is not a race.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Super duper fun, and a great weekend finish.
Thank you so much for sewing along with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Blue Patch Perfect Girl World Cotton 43"/44" Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
