SUPER EZ TABLE RUNNERS

This is the time of year when I often need a nice little gift in a hurry.   When I was a young Mom I was always wondering what to give to the school teachers, school bus drivers, Sunday School teachers, etc ~~ those special people you want to remember with more than a card but maybe you don't have a lot of time or funds for their gift. 

I recently stumbled upon a wonderfully simple and cute table runner while visiting a quilt shop.  I flipped it from one side to the other, took a few mental measurements and came home and produced one in 30 minutes!  Here are three I made yesterday~~~

Chicken Runner

Veggie Runner

You will need two fabrics:  A 9 inch piece for the center, cut the width of your fabric and an 18 inch piece (for back, borders and ends), cut the width of your fabric.  You will make a whole runner with only 3/4 yard of fabric!!

1.  Place right sides of both fabrics together and sew along both long edges with a 1/4 inch seam.  press your seams toward the border fabric.  You have just sewn a tube.

2.  Put your hand inside the tube and turn it right side out.  Fold your runner so the center section is in the middle and the borders on each side are the same size.  Now give it a good press. 

3.  If your ends need to be straightened, now is the time to do it. 

4.  Fold your runner in half the long way with the borders on the outside.  Beginning at the border edges, sew a 3/8 inch seam across each end.  You might want to trim a tiny triangle when you stop your seam to reduce bulk when this is turned (because it will be the pointed end of your runner). 

5.  Press the seam you just sewed open and then turn the end you just sewed right side out.  You now have a lovely pointed end on your runner.  Work a little with the point to make sure it's nice and sharp.

6.  Repeat sewing the other end of your runner (see #4 and #5 above).

The only thing left to do is to sew down the edge of the triangle on each end.  I sew mine with a blind stitch by hand, but you can certainly top stitch yours or use a decorative stitch.

If you want your runner longer or wider, you can cut your pieces running lengthwise, but it will take more fabric this way.  I have plans to try strip piecing my center fabric and finish it per the instructions. 

Your first runner may take you a little longer than 30 minutes, but there is a very short learning curve with this project.  Just think what you can make with fabric you probably already have in your stash! 

Wishing you Peace & Plenty of runners!!