TUTORIAL: Quick & Easy, Binding-Less Table Runner

I love table runners, I think they add such a nice finished look to any table-top.  I love that they change the look of your table to suit the season too! 

What I don't like about table runners is that most of the tutorials out there for them require you to bind them.  While I like the look of binding, I don't like the time it takes.... quick and easy folks...that's me!  I've taken the best table runner construction techniques and simplified everything to come up with my own: 

Quick and Easy, Binding-Less Table Runner Tutorial
(Now that's a title and a half!)

 WHAT YOU WILL NEED: 
> Fabric strips (number and size will depend on your runner size)
> Batting (polyester or cotton or blend - your choice)
> Fabric for backing (size will depend on your runner dimensions)
> Walking foot (not necessary, but makes life easier)

DETERMINE RUNNER SIZE
The size of your runner is based on your table and personal preference.  To help you figure it out, you may want to use an already existing table runner, or use some newspaper and cut it to size on the table you will be making the runner for. 

For this tutorial, I made a 36" x 16" table runner which I find looks nice on most rectangular medium-sized tables.

Ready?

STEP 1: Cut Fabric
Backing & Batting:  Add one inch to the length and width of the desired finished size of your runner to accommodate seam allowance.
Front Strips: Cut strips that are a bit longer than the width of your runner.  You can cut the strips as wide as you like...they can all be the same width, or varying - whatever you like! 
TIP:  Use a jelly roll - it will eliminate a ton of cutting!

You will need enough strips (plus some extra to accommodate seam allowances) to cover the batting.  For my runner I needed twenty-one (21)  2.5" strips.


STEP 2: Layout your strips

Layout the strips in your preferred order on the batting starting with the middle strip (remember, the strips will need to be longer than the batting to accommodate for seam allowances)

After you lay out the strips, keep the middle strip in place and stack the strips on the left and right (the strips that will be next to the middle strips will be on top)

STEP 3: Assemble Runner Top

Place the right strip on top of the middle strip (right sides together) lining up the right edge. 

Sew down the right edge (incorporating the batting) using a 1/4" seam allowance.  Press open.

Repeat for the other side of the center strip, but this time sew down the left side.

Continue adding strips to switching from right to left until your batting is covered.  

 

 Using the batting as your guide, trim the excess fabric.

STEP 4: Sew Top to Bottom

Place the runner top on-top of the runner backing (right sides together).

Pin in place.

Sew around the perimeter using a 1/2" seam allowance, leaving a 3" opening at one end to turn.

 

Clip the corners and turn, use a turning tool to gently push out the corners.

Press flat.

 STEP 5: Top-Stitch & Quilt

Top-Stitch around the perimeter of the runner using a 1/4" allowance, closing the opening.

Quilt the entire runner as desired.  Here are two examples of quilting techniques I like:

 

The first picture shows straight lines - For this, I use seam lines between the fabric strips as a guide.

 

The second image shows is more of a free-style straight line stitch.  I quilt straight lines at different angles crossing over each other at points.

Whichever you choose, be sure to start and stop at the border top-stitch, backtacking or using a lock-stitch at both ends.  Do not sew past that border!

After you finish quilting, go back and clip any thread ends.

That's it!  You are finished!

Isn't that fun? 

Enjoy!