Table Runner
This is by far the largest and complex thing that I have sewn to this day. I was intimidated, and a few times along the way, I thought I was going to need to give up. Alas, I made it! Carter's parents were redoing their kitchen and dining room and his mom had pinned this picture and asked if it was something I could do. Be naive, I accepted the challenge. But hey, it wasn't too bad! And it looks fabulous with their farm table!
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| The Inspiration by Sophia's |
What you will need:
Fabric of choice (I used linen)
Matching thread
Scissors
Rotary Cutter/board
Sewing Machine
Lots of Pins
TIME
Step 1: Lay out all your fabric, I think this piece was about 4 yards!!! Cut the fabric out so that it is an inch longer and an inch wider than you want your finished piece to be.
Step 2: Setting your machine to the closest zigzag stitch sew along all the edges to prevent fraying. If you have a serger, use that. I didn't and the close zigzag seems to work.
Step 3: Fold all the edges over half a inch and sew along using a 1/4 seam allowance.
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| Just starting out |
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| All sewn but you can't tell |
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| Nice and clean (sorta) |
Step 4: Cut out your strips for ruffles. I cut out 8 rectangles-4 for each end of the runner. Cut these strips 1/2 an inch wider and 3 times the length then you want your finished ruffle to be.
Step 5: Setting your machine to the closest zigzag stitch sew along all the edges to prevent fraying. If you have a serger, use that. I didn't and the close zigzag seems to work. This will take some time but it's repetitive.
Step 6: Fold all the edges over half a inch and sew along using a 1/4 seam allowance except for one of the long ends! I left the top of each ruffle just zigzagged which gave it a more rustic look and also made the ruffle look nicer.
Step 7: Ruffle time! Set your machine to the widest straight stitch and the loosest tension. Leaving a very long tail of both bobbin and sewing thread, sew a line 1/3 of the way down your strip. Leave a long end tail of sewing and bobbin threads!
Step 8: Sew another line directly under the first about 1/4 an inch down. Leave long starting and ending tails again.
Step 9: Pulling one start thread, begin pulling and you will see your strip start to bunch up. Pull gently or your thread may break. If it breaks, use the other thread and if that one breaks, use the threads from the other line.
Step 10: When your strip is the same width as that of the runner, sew a zigzag stitch over the bunched threads. (MAKE SURE YOU CHANGE YOUR TENSION BACK TOO!) This will lock your ruffle in place!
Step 11: Repeat steps 7-10 for the remaining strips.
Step 12: Play with the placement of the ruffles. I wanted the top of the first ruffle to hit at the edge of the table. Pin the ruffles in place and sew on using a zigzag or straight stitch.
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| One ruffle down! |
Step 13: Enjoy your runner :)
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