I love table runners. You can use them alone or layered over a table cloth. They create a beautiful focal point for your table or buffet, like a little fabric runway, perhaps giving me an excuse to invite Tim Gunn to my house. But if I invited him, I’d probably have to also invite Heidi Klum, and then it would just be too crowded. So instead, I’ll make this beautiful Christmas Morning Table Runner and invite my friends and family.

I love table runners. You can use them alone or layered over a table cloth. They create a beautiful focal point for your table or buffet, like a little fabric runway, perhaps giving me an excuse to invite Tim Gunn to my house. But if I invited him, I’d probably have to also invite Heidi Klum, and then it would just be too crowded. So instead, I’ll make this beautiful Christmas Morning Table Runner and invite my friends and family.

For me, the best part of this design is the wonderful jumbo ric rac. It’s bright red and full of wavy fun. You won’t find this extra large ric rac in the packaged trims section of your fabric store. Look instead in the bulk trims with the pom poms and fringes. All the coolest trims like to hang out there.

Our Citrus Holiday projects were made using Heather Bailey’s delightful Pop Garden & Bijoux Collection. To learn more about how we created this non-traditional holiday palette, read our article: Citrus Holiday: Christmas Dining Room.

Sewing Tools You Need

• Any Sewing Machine (we recommend the Janome DC3050)

Fabric and Other Supplies

Our sample was made for a sideboard measuring 22″ wide x 98″ long. We wanted the runner to hang over on each end and to nearly cover the top width. So, our finished runner measures 20″ wide x 105″ long (not including the tassels). Measure your sideboard, buffet or table and adjust amounts as needed.

• Fabric for table runner center band: 1 yard of 45″ wide fabric: we used Heather Bailey’s Pop Garden & Bijoux Peonies in Red
• Fabric for table runner left and right border bands: 1 yard of 45″ wide fabric: we used Heather Bailey’s Pop Garden & Bijoux Tiled Primrose in Canary
• Fabric for backside of table runner: 1¾ yards of 45″ wide fabric: we used a cream cotton sateen fabric
• 12 yards of jumbo ric rac: we used a deep red
• Two large tassels in a coordinating color: we made our own out of deep-red embroidery floss
• All purpose thread to match all three fabrics
• See-through ruler
• Fabric pencil
• Iron and ironing board
• Hand sewing needle
• Scissors or rotary cutter and mat
• Straight pins

Getting Started

1. From the fabric for the table runner center band (Peonies in Red in our sample), cut three rectangles 11″ x 36″.
2. From the fabric for the table runner left and right border bands (Tiled Primrose in Canary in our sample), cut six rectangles 6″ x 36″.
3. From the fabric for the backside of the table runner center band (cream sateen in our sample), cut three rectangles 21″ x 36″.
   
4. If you’ve decided to make your own tassels, make two now. For easy step-by-step instructions, see our tutorial: How to Make a Tassel.

At Your Sewing Machine & Ironing Board

1. Thread your machine with thread to match your border bands (yellow in our sample).
2. Take two of your 6″ x 36″ border bands and pin them right sides together, along ONE 6″ side. Stitch, using a ½” seam allowance.
3. Take a third 6″ x 36″ border band and pin it, right sides together, to the end of the two-panel unit you just made. Stitch in place with a ½” seam allowance to create one long border band 6″ x 106″. Set aside.
   
4. Repeat to create the other border band from your remaining three 6″ x 36″ pieces. Set aside.
5. Thread your machine with thread to match your backside fabric (cream in our sample).
6. Take two of your 21″ x 36″ backside pieces and pin them right sides together, along ONE 21″ side. Stitch, using a ½” seam allowance.
7. Take the third 21″ x 36″ border band and pin it, right sides together, to the end of the two-panel unit you just made. Stitch in place with a ½” seam allowance to create one long backside piece 21″ x 106″. Set aside.
   
8. Thread your machine with thread to match your center band (red in our sample).
9. Take two of your 11″ x 36″ center bands and pin them right sides together, along ONE 11″ side. Stitch, using a ½” seam allowance.
10. Take the third 11″ x 36″ center band and pin it, right sides together, to the end of the two-panel unit you just made. Stitch in place with a ½” seam allowance to create one long center band 11″ x 106″.
    
11. Pin a 106″ length of ric rac to each side of the center panel. Position the ric rac so it extends approximately 7/8″ – 1″ from the raw edge of the center panel to the highest point in bottom wave.
    
12. Stitch ric rac in place along each side, staying close to the raw edge with your stitching, and being careful to keep it nice and straight, so the wavy edge of the ric rac that will be showing is even all along the panel. You want to keep your stitching inside the standard ½” seam allowance so it doesn’t show once your final seam is made.
    
13. Take your two completed side border bands and pin one to each side of the center panel, covering the ric rac and matching the raw edges. Stitch together using a ½” seam allowance.
    
14. Fold out, revealing approximately 3/8″ – ½” of your ric rac, facing in towards the center panel along each side. Press, keeping the seam allowance toward the side bands.
    
15. Thread your machine with thread to match your border bands (yellow in our sample).
16. Edgestitch along each seam. You’re stitching right next to the ric ric, but actually on the border band, not the center band. This line of stitching should catch and secure your seam allowance on the back, keeping it pointed towards the border bands.
    
17. Fold your completed top piece in half lengthwise to find the exact middle. Mark this center point on each end with your fabric pencil. It should be at 10½” from top to mid-point.
    
18. Measure in 5″ from each corner and mark with your fabric pencil. Using your see-through ruler, draw a precise diagonal line to connect the two points on each corner.
    
19. Cut off each corner along your drawn lines.
    
20. Take your remaining ric rac and pin it around all outside edges of your table runner top piece.
    NOTE: Jumbo ric rac is a bit of a challenge to work with around the corners and points because the ‘waves’ of the ric rac are so large and thick. We recommend pinning it on it shorter lengths, from point to point. this allows you to adjust the waves, folding and tucking as necessary to create a pleasing and even run all around.
21. Position the ric rac so it extends approximately 7/8″ – 1″ from the raw edge of the panel to the highest point in bottom wave.
    
22. Stitch ric rac all around, staying close to the raw edge with your stitching, and being careful to keep it nice and straight. You want your stitching to fall inside the standard ½” seam allowance so it doesn’t show once your final seam is made.
    
23. Find your 21″ x 106″ backside piece. Make sure the seams are pressed open. Lay it down, right side up, on your work table. Lay the finished top piece on it, right side down. Match along the sides. Carefully pin around the edges of the top, leaving a 6″-7″ opening along one long side.
24. Carefully move to your sewing machine, and using a ½” seam allowance, stitch around all sides, leaving that 6″-7″ opening.
25. Trim away the excess backside fabric at each corner.
    
26. Turn right side out through the 6″-7″ opening. Your ric rac will pop out approximately 3/8″ – ½” from the seam.
27. Using your finger or a long, blunt-tipped tool, like a chopstick or large knitting needle, push out the seam and corners so your edges are sharp and your ric rac is nice and even.
28. Press all around, making sure your press in the seam allowance at the 6″-7″ opening ½” so the edges are flush.
29. Edgestitch all around. We edgestitched in our yellow thread, you could choose a contrasting color if you wanted a more decorative edge. This edgestitching seals your 6″-7″ opening.
30. Press again all around.
31. Hand stitch a tassel to each end point.
    

Project Design: Alicia Thommas
Sample Creation: Heather Tucker