Table runner
YOU WILL NEED
Main fabric: see instructions for details
Contrast fabric: see instructions for details
Basic sewing kit
MATERIALS USED
The fabrics used are from Hantex Linens.
Main fabric: Ash Grey Spots, Natural. Ref: LT126-7.
Contrast fabric: Natural Spots, Ash Grey. Ref: LT101-7.
For stockists visit www.hantex.co.uk/linen
NOTES
Use a 1cm (!⁄"in) seam allowance.
MEASURING UP
Step one Measure the length of your table and decide how much of the runner you want hanging down either end – about 30cm (12in) each end is about right if you’re not sure. Add this to either end of the length for the finished length of your runner.
Step two Most table runners are 30-35cm (12-14in) wide but you can make yours to the width you prefer.
Step three Once you’ve decided on your dimensions write down the finished width and length of your runner.
CUTTING OUT
Step one Add 2cm (¾in) to the length and 2cm (¾in) to the width of the measurements you wrote down – this allows for a 1cm (!⁄"in) seam allowance each side. Cut your main fabric to these dimensions.
Step two We made our finished border 4cm (1$⁄"in) wide and this sits on top of the table runner main fabric – it doesn’t add any actual width or length to it. You can make yours narrower or wider if you prefer.
Step three Cut your border fabric as follows: Long edges: 2 strips; the finished border width + 2cm (¾in) x the main fabric length. Short edges: Finished border width + 2cm (¾in) x the main fabric width.
JOINING THE BORDERS
Step one Turn one long edge on each border strip under 1cm (!⁄"in) to the wrong side (WS). Step two Place one long edge border piece right sides (RS) together with one short edge border piece, making sure the folded edge and unfolded edge line up exactly. The folded-under edge needs to be at the top. Step three Measure the width of your pressed under border. This will be the finished width plus a 1cm (!⁄"in) seam allowance.
Step four Measure along the folded edge from the top left corner to your pressed under border width measurement you took from the previous step and mark this with a pin.
Step five Draw a diagonal line from the bottom left corner to this pin mark.
Step six Stitch the two border strips together along this line, making sure you stitch accurately for a really crisp, neat corner.
Step seven Trim the two fabrics 1cm (!⁄"in) outside this stitched line and press it flat.
Step eight Repeat this process to pin, mark, stitch and trim the other three corners together in exactly the same way to complete your border.
ATTACHING THE BORDERS
Step one Lay the main table runner piece of fabric WS up on your work surface and place your assembled border RS down on top, matching all fabric edges and corners. Pin into place all the way around.
Step two Starting in the centre of one side, stitch the border into place all the way around. When you reach the corners, keep the needle down in the corner stitching of the border, raise your presser foot, turn the fabric around then continue stitching down the next side side. This will ensure the corners of this stitching are exactly placed in the corner of your stitched border.
Step three Trim off the corners outside the stitching to reduce the bulk.
TOPSTITCHING THE BORDER
Step one Turn the border and table runner RS out so the border is now laying neatly on top of the runner. Push the points of the corners out carefully so they form a nice point but take care not to pierce the fabric. Use a point turner or the end of a narrow paintbrush.
Step two Press all the way around, making sure that the seams lie exactly on the edge. Pressing the seams open from the WS first helps with this.
Step three Pin the border flat on top of the runner then, from the RS, topstitch this neatly into place just 3mm (%⁄"in) inside the turned under border edge all the way around.