Quilted Table Runner Patterns

The best small quilting project there is

A table runner is a whole quilt in miniature: piecing, layering, quilting and binding, at a size you can finish before you lose interest. That makes it the ideal first project for someone who wants to learn quilting properly without committing to a bed quilt, and the ideal quick make for an experienced quilter who wants to test a new block or a new fabric line. This is a compact collection covering seasonal designs for Christmas and autumn, floral runners, star and geometric blocks, and appliqué centrepieces, with a number of free patterns included.

Sizing a runner to your table

Measure the table first, then decide on the overhang. The usual convention is that a runner ends between 15 and 30cm short of each end, or drops 15 to 20cm over the edge if you prefer the draped look; both look deliberate, and a runner that stops just short of the edge does not. Width is typically a third of the table width or narrower, leaving room for place settings either side. Because these patterns are built from repeating blocks, adding or removing one block, plus sashing, is usually all it takes to fit your own table.

Fabric, wadding and the kit you need

• Quilting cotton for the top and backing. Prewash if you are mixing strong colours, particularly reds and Christmas prints.
• Cotton wadding for a flat, table-hugging finish; wool or polyester loft makes a runner puffy and less stable under a vase.
• A rotary cutter, ruler and self-healing mat, which matter more than the machine does. Accurate cutting is most of accurate piecing.
• A quarter inch foot and a walking foot, one for consistent seams, the other for quilting through all three layers without the top shifting.
• Curved safety pins or basting spray to hold the sandwich, plus a fresh needle before you start quilting.

Piecing and quilting a runner well

Test your quarter inch seam on scraps before cutting into your fabric: a seam that is a thread too wide compounds across a dozen blocks into a runner that will not lie flat. Press seams as you go, and press rather than iron, lifting the iron instead of dragging it so the bias does not stretch. Nest opposing seams at intersections and your points will match without pinning every one. For the quilting itself, straight lines with a walking foot, either following the seams or crossing them diagonally, suit runners very well; heavy dense free-motion quilting can make a small piece stiff.

Binding, use and washing

Double-fold binding cut at 2.5 inches gives a durable edge that will survive being wiped and washed. Mitre the corners and finish the join on the diagonal so the bulk is spread. Once in use, remember what a runner lives through: candle wax, gravy and hot dishes. Use a trivet, wash on a cool gentle cycle and dry flat or on low heat, and expect a little pleasing crinkle after the first wash as the wadding shrinks slightly around the quilting lines. A seasonal runner stored folded should be refolded along different lines each year so permanent creases do not set.

Table runner questions

How long should a table runner be? Either 15 to 30cm shorter than the table at each end, or overhanging by 15 to 20cm. Avoid finishing exactly level with the edge.

Are any of these patterns free? Yes, this collection includes free quilted table runner patterns to download.

Is a runner suitable for a beginner? Very much so. It teaches every core quilting skill at a manageable size.

What wadding should I use? Low loft cotton, so the runner lies flat and stable on the table.

Can I make matching placemats? Yes, several patterns include coordinating placemats or can be reduced to a single block each.