DIY Table Runners Free Project

Creating an inviting dining atmosphere hinges on the details. A stylish table runner can instantly transform your Thanksgiving meal or any holiday gathering into a special occasion. In this DIY tutorial, we'll show you how to craft two elegant table runners from a single 36" x 54" cotton duck fabric piece. Whether you're hosting a dinner party, preparing for a family gathering, or refreshing your home decor, this easy-to-sew project lets you infuse your style into your dining space. With these step-by-step instructions and a touch of creativity (hint: let the fabric design do the heavy lifting), you'll craft beautiful table runners that impress guests and elevate your dining decor this holiday season! Let's get started!

Featured fabric: "Artistic Watercolor" Floral in "Green & Gold" designed by by Monica Kapur.

Skill Level: Beginner

Estimated time: 1-2 hours

Materials you'll need:

One yard (36" x 54") yields two runners (two yards yield four)

Scissors or rotary cutter and cutting mat

Measuring tape or ruler

Sewing machine or needle and thread

Iron and ironing board, pins, fabric marker or chalk (optional)

DIY Table Runners for Stylish Tablescaping

Measure and cut the fabric:

Use a measuring tape or ruler to mark two equal lengths of 18" along each side of the 36" length of the fabric. These will be the widths of your table runners. You can also fold your fabric in half and finger press a crease to divide your fabric in half.

Cut along the marked lines (or creased fold) to separate the fabric into two 18" x 54" pieces. Using a clear acrylic ruler will help ensure your corners are square.

Prepare the edges:

Folding your fabric to the wrong side, fold and press a half-inch hem (twice) on all four sides of each 18" x 54" fabric piece. 

Ironing helps create clean, crisp edges. With the wrong side of your fabric facing, open the folds and mark your fabric diagonally from corner to corner where the outer creases intersect. Repeat on all four corners.

Create mitered corners:

To make mitered corners, trim the fabric along the 45-degree angle marked in the previous step. Fold and press a half-inch hem on each corner, and continue folding and pressing the double folded hem around on all four sides. Pin the mitered corners in place.

Stitch the hems:

With the wrong side facing, sew along the folded edges of the hems on all four sides of each table runner. You can use a straight stitch for this. 

Be sure backstitch at the beginning and end to secure the stitches. 

To turn corners, drop your needle at the corner, and pivot the fabric to continue sewing down the next side. Repeat for all four corners of both table runners.

Remember that using a sewing machine can make this project quicker and more efficient, but you can also hem these table runners by hand if you don't have access to a machine. 

Hand sewing is not only relaxing, but a blind stitched hem will result in a smooth finished appearance, which helps showcase beautiful fabric prints.

Press the table runners:

After sewing, press both table runners with an iron to ensure they lie flat and have a neat appearance.

Trim any loose threads:

Trim any loose threads from the table runners to give them a clean and finished look.

Your table runners are now ready to use! 

Suggested fabrics:

Each of these fabrics have a printable width of 54 inches, so choose any design from our online catalog, select a colorway, and print the yardage you need on the base fabric you prefer.

Cotton Duck - 100% cotton

Cotton Linen - 90% cotton/10% linen (shown)

Belgian Linen - 55% linen/ 45% cotton

All of these fabrics are printed, steamed, washed, and dried so that you can begin sewing and creating as soon as your fabrics arrive!

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