Widen your horizons! You may have noticed an exciting new trend in designer fabric collections: wide width quilt backing. The motifs are bold and beautiful, but they are not simply one of the main collection’s designs in a larger format. They are a unique design, specifically chosen to look great across a very wide swath of fabric. Although these fabrics are amazing for what their name implies: as a quilt back, we couldn’t help but wonder what else the wonderfully wide widths could be used for.
Our super smart idea: a gorgeous, long table runner cut as a single panel! Thanks to their incredible wide width, you need just a little over a yard to make it happen. The ePattern for this super smart idea is available now in our S4H Etsy Shop.
A cutting plan and instructions are provided to match the 108” x 18” sample runner we created. This sizing was based on research into the most common lengths and widths found for formal runners available at retail.
We show how to add optional accent bands to each end of the runner for an extra pop of color and an elegant finish. Of course, you could choose to make your runner shorter or even longer by adjusting the size of the bands as well as the size of the center panel. You could even choose to omit the accent bands altogether, using just the quilt-backing fabric. This flexibility extends to the final width of the runner as well. We stuck with the traditional 18” width, which meant we started with a 37” panel – just over a yard. If you’d prefer to use just a single yard (36”), your runner would finish at 17½” instead … pretty close. As with the length, you can adjust the amount of quilt-backing fabric you purchase up or down. All this detail is included in the ePattern.
Dress-up your tabletop for holiday gatherings and other special occasions. The runner includes a layer of batting to help protect your table’s finish. The project is fun and easy. And, there are bonus instructions for matching napkins featuring the same accent bands used on the runner.
As always, each and every step in our ePattern instructions is thoroughly explained with excellent photos throughout. If you’re brand new on your sewing journey, this is a very beginner-friendly project. If you’re already an expert, it’s a great break between your more complex works-in-progress.
Along with the full ePattern, we’ve included links to free technique tutorials on the main S4H site, including fussy cutting and how to create the lovely narrow hem that completes the single layer napkins.
Our sample runner finishes at approximately 108” x 18” (as described above, this size can be easily adjusted to best fit your table) and the matching banded napkins finish at 20” x 20”.
There are two PDF files included in this $4.95 Etsy Shop purchase. As a digital download, we understand you are providing the paper and ink and so have included flexible printing alternatives. The first file contains all the steps plus all the full color instructional photos; it’s a great option for viewing on your computer or other digital device to fully understand the construction process. The second file is condensed to black and white with just the steps (no photos) to make printing even more efficient. Both files can be printed on either US Letter paper or A4 paper, using Adobe Acrobat Reader (a free program). No fabric or supplies are included.
Click to our S4H Etsy Shop to purchase our Wide Width Fabric Table Runner + Banded Napkins ePattern and to browse all our other Shop products.
