Hey everyone. Today you are going to learn how to make a bold bed runner from one wide piece of fabric, with no piecing at all.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric
This is the Black And White Abstract wideback, from Studio E Fabrics.
It is 100 percent cotton.
And it is a full 118 to 120 inches wide.
That is wide, y'all. Really really wide.
The color is black and white, in a grey tone.
The genre is abstract.
It is listed as a quilt back fabric.
That is what widebacks were made for.
But a wideback can do so much more.
This listing is a 1 yard pack.
So your piece is 36 inches by that full width.
Think of it as one big, clean canvas.
No narrow panels to join first.
No seam fighting you in the middle.
The black and white stays crisp and modern.
And the grey tone softens it just a bit.
It will sit happily on white, grey, or colored bedding.
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 and pattern in one move.
And it protects your main quilt or comforter.
Feet, bags, and trays land there first.
For this project, the width does the work.
Turn that wideback sideways, and length is easy.
A queen runner can finish 18 by 88 inches.
One pack gives you plenty for that top.
You will even have a strip left for binding.
The abstract design hides everyday wear well.
And black and white goes with almost everything.
Completely up to you how bold you quilt it.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Materials list
For a finished runner about 18 by 88 inches, gather these:
- 1 pack of Black And White Abstract Cotton Wideback Fabric ( 1 yard pack ) for the top and binding
- 1 piece of cotton batting, about 20 by 90 inches
- 1 piece of backing cotton, about 20 by 90 inches
- 50-weight sewing thread in black, white, or soft grey
- A size 80/12 or 90/14 universal needle for piecing
- A walking foot, if you have one, for quilting
- Rotary cutter, long ruler, pins or clips, and a good iron
- Painter's tape or chalk for marking quilting lines
My preference is grey thread for the quilting.
It blends on both the black and the white.
Black thread shows more drama. Your call.
Brief steps
Press the whole pack well first.
Wide fabric loves to hold a fold line.
Lay it flat on your biggest surface.
Square up one long edge with your ruler.
Cut the top 19 inches by 89 inches.
Save the leftover strip for binding.
Cut binding strips 2 1/2 inches wide from it.
Join those strips end to end as needed.
Layer backing, batting, and top, in that order.
Smooth from the center out, every time.
Pin or spray baste the layers well.
Quilt in straight lines across the short width.
Space them about 3 to 4 inches apart.
Use a stitch length around 3.0 for quilting.
That is roughly 8 to 10 stitches per inch.
Go slow on the long pass, folks.
Slow down or the layers creep and lines wander.
Echo a line if you want more texture.
Just like that, the quilting builds up.
Trim the runner to a clean 18 by 88 inches.
Sew the binding around all four sides.
Use a quarter-inch seam for the binding.
Fold it to the back and stitch it down.
Press the finished runner flat and smooth.
Practical tips
Measure your actual bed before you cut.
A twin needs less length. A king needs more.
For a king, aim closer to 18 by 104 inches.
That full width still gives you room.
Wash and dry the fabric before cutting, if you like.
Cotton can shrink a little on the first wash.
Test your quilting stitch on a trimmed scrap first.
Check the tension, then commit to the runner.
And here is your permission beat.
It does not have to be perfect.
A quilting line may wobble a tiny bit.
Mine have, more than once.
You are your own worst critic.
Everyone else sees a sharp, handmade bed.
Take your time. It is not a race.
We're not reinventing the wheel here.
One wide piece, simple lines, and honest binding.
Super duper easy, and it looks really finished.
That fabric is available at lindas.com when you are ready to start.
Thanks for sewing along with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Black And White Abstract Cotton Wideback Fabric ( 1 yard pack ) at Linda's Electric Quilters.
