Hey everyone! Today you will learn how to make a simple bed runner that adds rich teal color across the foot of your bed.
Here we go.
First, let's look at this fabric
This is Blue Dry Brush Teal.
It comes from Wilmington Fabrics.
It is a cotton wideback fabric.
And it measures a full 108" wide.
It is sold by the yard.
The color is a blue teal.
The pattern is a dry brush pattern.
That gives you soft brush strokes across the surface.
No busy print fighting for attention.
Just rich color with a little texture in it.
Just like that.
The fabric is 100% cotton.
The product notes call it durable and comfortable.
They also say it is machine washable and easy to care for.
That matters for a bed runner, folks.
A runner gets handled every single day.
That 108" width is the real helper here.
A bed runner is long and narrow.
You can cut the length right across that width.
No seams piecing the top together.
No seam line breaking up the brush texture.
My preference is to let the teal be the whole top.
A pieced runner in this teal looks super duper fun too.
The project: a bed runner
We are making a quilted bed runner.
Finished size is about 24" x 90".
That works nicely across a queen bed.
A queen mattress is about 60" wide.
So you get about 15" of drop on each side.
For a twin or king, measure your bed first, y'all.
A runner is just a long, small quilt.
A top, batting, and a backing.
Quilt it, bind it, and you are done.
We're not reinventing the wheel here.
Why does this fabric suit it?
The wide width gives you the full length in one cut.
The teal color pops against white or cream bedding.
And the dry brush texture hides simple quilting beautifully.
Straight lines, a meander, or echo quilting all work.
Materials list
- 1 yard of Blue Dry Brush Teal Cotton Wideback for the top and backing — the 108" width lets you cut a 26" x 92" top and a matching backing from that one yard
- Or 1 yard for the top alone, plus a coordinating fabric for the backing if you want a contrast back
- Batting cut about 26" x 92" — a low-loft cotton batting keeps the runner flat and drapey
- Binding fabric, about 1/2 yard of standard quilting cotton, cut into 2 1/2" strips
- Matching thread — I like a 50-weight cotton for piecing and quilting
- A size 90/14 needle for quilting through the layers
- Safety pins or basting spray, a walking foot if you have one, and a long ruler for squaring up
Brief steps
First, press your fabric well.
Cut your top to about 26" x 92".
Cut your backing the same size.
Lay the backing wrong side up.
Center the batting on top of it.
Then lay your teal top right side up.
Smooth it flat from the center out.
Pin baste every 4" or so.
Now quilt it, nice and steady.
I like straight lines about 2" apart.
Use a stitch length of about 3.0 mm for quilting.
Start in the middle and work outward.
That pushes any fullness toward the edges.
Slow down near the long edges, folks.
Warning right here, at the moment of risk.
If the layers shift, your lines will wave.
A walking foot really really helps here.
When the quilting is done, square up all four sides.
Trim the runner to a clean 24" x 90".
Join your binding strips end to end.
Press the binding in half lengthwise.
Sew it on with a 1/4" seam allowance.
Miter the corners, turn the binding over, and stitch in the ditch.
Or hand stitch the back — completely up to you.
Practical tips from my table
Wash and press your fabric before you cut.
Big cuts show shrinkage more than small blocks do.
I learned that one the hard way, y'all.
My first runner came out a little short.
The fix was simple: add a border strip on each end.
Nobody knew but me.
Roll the extra length as you quilt.
And remember the permission beat.
It does not have to be perfect.
You are your own worst critic.
Nobody will hunt for one wobbly quilting line.
Take your time, it is not a race.
If I can do this, y'all can do it.
Lay it across the foot of the bed.
Oh my goodness, that teal just glows.
Thanks for spending a little time with me today.
We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Blue Dry Brush Teal Cotton Wideback Fabric per yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
