Nothing says, “Please, dine here” more than a simple but stylish table runner. It strikes a happy medium between an austere, bare table and one that's gotten the full-on formal tablecloth treatment.
This table runner DIY requires no sophisticated sewing skills, just accurate measurements, a serger and a sewing machine. You can use canvas as shown here, a fabric remnant you happen to have on hand or something from a fabric store that complements your dining room decor. This runner is also versatile because you can display it with either the plain or two-fabric side exposed. A table runner shouldn't be reserved only for special occasions or holidays, either. This handcrafted one will give your table a crisper, elegant look and make every meal more special.
Advertisement
Materials
- 2-3 yards of two different canvas fabrics
- Tape measure
- Measuring grid mat
- Colored pencil
- Scissors
- Serger machine
- Small cutting tool
- Sewing machine
- Awl
- Straight pins
- 2-3 yards of two different canvas fabrics
- Tape measure
- Measuring grid mat
- Colored pencil
- Scissors
- Serger machine
- Small cutting tool
- Sewing machine
- Awl
- Straight pins
DIY Everywhere
Instructions
1. Measure the length and width of your table.
1. Measure the length and width of your table.
2. Decide what you’d like the width of your table runner to be. Make sure the runner is several inches longer than the table so it hangs over each end when it's completed.
3. Mark the dimensions where you’ll cut the fabric with a pencil line and ensure that the measurements are correct by using a measuring grid mat.
4. Cut your table runner from the fabric with the scissors.
5. Use your serger to serge all the edges of the runner. This serging step makes the runner’s edges very durable.
6. After you’re done serging the edges, use the cutting tool to cut the thread and release the fabric from the spool.
7. Hem the runner’s edges with the sewing machine.
8. Again, cut the thread at the end of the hemmed fabric from the spool with the cutting tool.
9. Lay your second fabric on the work surface and use the measuring grid mat and pencil to mark your cutting dimensions again. This piece will be 4-6 inches narrower than the first piece of fabric you cut.
10. Sew a small zigzag stitch on just the long ends of the contrasting fabric piece. Don’t place the stitch right on the fabric’s edge -- sew it about ½ inch from the edge.
11. Trim any excess thread with the cutting tool.
12. Lay out your contrasting fabric on the work surface.
13. Poke small holes that are positioned close together with your awl, on the outer edge of one of the long ends of the fabric that you just sewed the zigzag stitch onto.
14. Pull gently at the end of the fabric, and you’ll see that it begins to fringe where you poked the holes. Continue poking a few more holes between the outer edge of the fabric and the zigzag stitch until the area from the fabric’s outer edge to the zigzag stitch is fully fringed.
15. Do this along the entire long length of the fabric.
16. Repeat this step on the fabric's other long edge.
17. As you create the fringe, some longer threads will pull away from the fabric but remain attached to it. Trim these with the cutting tool.
18. Spread your larger piece of fabric on top of your work surface. Place the contrasting piece of fabric on top of it and make sure it's centered.
19. Attach the contrasting piece to the larger one by pushing straight pins through the two pieces, placed about 2 inches apart.
20. Stitch the contrasting piece onto the larger piece with the sewing machine. Stitch the long ends down first.
21. Hem the raw edges on the short ends of the runner.
22. Each time you lift the sewing machine's presser foot to move the fabric away from the machine and the spool, use the cutting tool to cut the thread from the spool and trim any excess thread from the fabric.
23. Place the table runner on your table with the contrasting piece you sewed on facing upward.
24. Enjoy your new table runner at your next meal!
Advertisement