Are you looking to set a beautiful table for Easter, Sunday dinners, or other special gatherings? A homemade table runner can be an elegant and inexpensive way to dress up your table on a budget. In this post, we cover how to make a reversible table runner for beginners. This is a super easy and fun project that can add some fresh color and style to your space without breaking the bank. At a cost of less than $8 per runner, this home decor project makes an affordable addition to your table and also makes an excellent hostess gift. Make this colorful addition to your table settings in less than 30 minutes. Using just a couple yards of coordinating fabrics and fusible interfacing, this easy sew project can be in an afternoon or evening. I love that this is reversible too, so I can flip it over if one side gets dirty or if I just want to change the mood in the room.
For this reversible table runner, our cost was around $25, however, the supplies would make three runners at a cost of $8 each. I made a few extra and plan to give them as gifts. Gather up your supplies and let’s get started!
What You’ll Need:
- 2 ¼ yards each of two coordinating fabrics (I chose cotton because I liked the print, but home décor fabric is also great for this)
- 2 ¼ yards of fusible interfacing
- Thread
- Scissors
- Optional: Rotary cutter and mat
- Pins or clips
- Chopstick or turning tool (I love the Purple Thing from Amazon!)
- Pressing cloth
- Iron/ironing board
- Sewing machine
How To Make A Reversible Table Runner For Beginners
I always like to start any sewing project by washing, drying, and ironing my fabric. This process acts a preshrink so that your stitches don’t mess up when you wash it. Make sure you DO NOT do this to the interfacing.
Next on this how to make a reversible table runner tutorial, measure and cut your fabric. You will need:
- One 15” x 73” rectangle of each fabric you are going to use. I picked a floral pattern for one side and a plain color for the other to give it some variety.
- One 14” x 72” rectangle of interfacing. The interfacing acts as a stiffener for the fabric so that your table runner lays better.
*It helps to square up one long edge of fabric by folding it on itself twice (in half, then in half again), then cutting a straight line. This will ensure one long 73” edge is straight. Then, measure 15” across and make a straight line cut again. The last cuts will be to make the 15” wide strip of fabric 73” inches long.
Now that the fabric for your reversible table runner is cut out, it is time to add the interfacing. Layout one side of the fabric on your ironing board, the wrong side facing up. Lay the fusible interfacing on top of the fabric with the rough side down on the fabric. Follow the directions on your interfacing to fuse it to the fabric. Generically, you will need to pin the interfacing onto the fabric every 12” or so – you’ll leave a half-inch border all the way around the interfacing.
Steam baste the edges with the iron, removing pins from a small section as you go. Then place a damp pressing cloth on top of the interfacing and press for 10 seconds. Be sure to pick up the iron as you go rather than sliding it across the pressing cloth. Repeat for small sections all the way across the interfacing. Then flip the fabric and press from this side as well. *This is the longest step in this how to make a reversible table runner tutorial!*
On a large table or hard surface, layout the fused rectangle of fabric with the right side facing up. Then lay the other rectangle of fabric on top of it, right side down. The right sides (or pretty sides) of the fabric should be facing each other at this point. Pin or clip the edges to hold all the way around the rectangles.
Now on this how to make a reversible table runner tutorial, we will stitch the rectangles together. I found it easier to sew on the interfacing side of the first rectangle as it gives you a natural guideline to follow when sewing.
Sew around the rectangles with a ½” seam allowance, leaving a gap of about 8” or so unsewn. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of sewing.
Carefully snip the corners for less bulk. This will make the table runner easier to turn in the next step.
Through the gap you left, reach in and pull the reversible table runner right side out.
Using a turning tool, press out all the corners and edges. The interfacing makes this super easy! Be sure to flatten all the edges along the interfacing line as best you can.
Press all the way around the edges of the reversible table runner. Tuck in the opening, press well, and clip or pin to hold.
As the last step in this how to make a reversible table runner tutorial, topstitch all the way around the runner with ¼” seam allowance. Backstitch when starting and stopping.
Place on a table and admire! Now you know how to sew a reversible table runner for beginners! This is a fun way to freshen up your space and protect your table at the same time!
Tips for Reversible Table Runner for Beginners
- This runner was made at the average size of 14” x 72”. You can easily adjust the size to whatever measurements you need, just be sure to add an inch on each measurement for seam allowances.
- Honestly, the prep is the longest part of this project. The interfacing takes the longest if you do it correctly. The sewing part is very quick and easy! Different manufacturers may have different directions, so following the package directions is really crucial.
- Really, this is a bigger version of the reversible placemat we made before.
This reversible table runner for beginners is the perfect project to dress up your dining room or kitchen table. With two different fabrics, you can use whichever side suits your special occasion, and you may want to consider making multiples with different patterns to fit the season or upcoming holidays. For more ways to dress up your table, check out our reversible placemat tutorial as well as these beautiful handmade cloth napkins.
If you liked learning how to make a reversible table runner for beginners, make sure to pin it to your favorite Pinterest board or share it with friends on social media. If you decide to make this simple project on your own, make certain that you take a picture afterward and tag us on social media as we love seeing the fabrics and color choices that people use!
How to Make a Reversible Table Runner for Beginners
This is a fun and simple way to project your table and give new life to your space. This easy sewing project is great for beginners and only takes about half an hour.
Materials
Tools
- Scissors
- Optional: Rotary cutter and mat
- Pins or clips
- Chopstick or turning tool (I love the Purple Thing from Amazon!)
- Pressing cloth
- Iron/ironing board
- Sewing machine
Instructions
- Wash, dry and iron the fabric (NOT the interfacing).
- Measure and cut your fabric. You will need:
- One 15” x 73” rectangle of each fabric
- One 14” x 72” rectangle of interfacing
*It helps to square up one long edge of fabric by folding it on itself twice (in half, then in half again), then cutting a straight line. This will ensure one long 73” edge is straight. Then, measure 15” across and make a straight line cut again. The last cuts will be to make the 15” wide strip of fabric 73” inches long. - Lay out one side of the fabric on your ironing board, wrong side facing up. Lay the fusible interfacing on top of the fabric with the rough side down on the fabric. Follow the directions on your interfacing to fuse it to the fabric. Generically, you will need to pin the interfacing onto the fabric every 12” or so – you’ll leave a half inch border all the way around the interfacing. Steam baste the edges with the iron, removing pins from a small section as you go. Then place a damp pressing cloth on top of the interfacing and press for 10 seconds. Be sure to pick up the iron as you go rather than sliding it across the pressing cloth. Repeat for small sections all the way across the interfacing. Then flip the fabric and press from this side as well. *This is the longest step!*
- On a large table or hard surface, lay out the fused rectangle of fabric with the right side facing up. Then lay the other rectangle of fabric on top of it, right side down. The right sides (or pretty sides) of the fabric should be facing each other at this point. Pin or clip the edges to hold all the way around the rectangles.
- Now we will stitch the rectangles together. I found it easier to sew on the interfacing side of the first rectangle as it gives you a natural guideline to follow when sewing. Sew around the rectangles with a ½” seam allowance, leaving a gap of about 8” or so unsewn. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of sewing.
- Carefully snip the corners for less bulk.
- Through the gap you left, reach in and pull the fabric right side out.
- Using a turning tool, press out all the corners and edges. The interfacing makes this super easy! Be sure to flatten all the edges along the interfacing line as best you can.
- Press all the way around the edges of the runner. Tuck in the opening, press well, and clip or pin to hold.
- Top stitch all the way around the runner with ¼” seam allowance. Backstitch when starting and stopping.
11. Place on a table and admire!
Notes
This runner was made at the average size of 14” x 72”. You can easily adjust the size to whatever measurements you need, just be sure to add an inch on each measurement for seam allowances.
Honestly, the prep is the longest part of this project. The interfacing takes the longest if you do it correctly. The sewing part is very quick and easy! Different manufacturers may have different directions, so following the package directions is really crucial.
Really, this is a bigger version of the reversible placemat we made before.
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