Brighten up your home decor this season with a beautiful table runner. Learn how to make one with one of these quilted table runner sewing patterns perfect for Spring!
Each year when the first small signs of Spring appear, I get the urge to add brighter colors and fresher patterns to my home decor. I don’t know why, but every year when Spring finally begins to appear, I’m overcome with the beauty of it all.
(quilt pattern can be found in our shop)
There’s just something about seeing the proverbial light at the end of a dark winter that almost brings tears to my eyes (I’m not a big fan of winter, as I’m sure you can tell by now).
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If you love to quilt and sew and want to make something to add a bit of Spring fever to your home, I’ve rounded up more than 15 table runner patterns that I think would be a perfect way to celebrate the season.
Before we begin, anytime I mention table runners on our site, I get a few questions over and over again. I thought I’d take a minute and answer a few of them before I share the list of patterns.
How Long Should A Table Runner Be?
As a general rule, a table runner should be 12″ longer than the table you want it to fit. So, if you have a 72″ long table, the ideal table runner length would be 84″. The recommended length for a 96″ long table would be 108″ and so on.
How Can I use a Shorter Table Runner?
Instead of placing the runner on your table lengthwise, you can place it across the width of the table in the center. If you have a table that’s 36″ wide, a 48″ long runner would fit it nicely.
You can also place the runner in the center of your table and not have it drape off of the edges. A runner placed like this would technically be considered a table topper, but it’s easier to refer to all of the projects in this post as runners.
How Can I Make the Runner Longer?
If you want a runner that’s longer than your table, the easiest thing to do is add additional elements at the ends of the runner. Many of the runner patterns below are created with 12″ quilt blocks. Each of those would be easy to make longer; add an extra block or two to the runner before you quilt it.
If the runner pattern is not made up of simple blocks, you can also repeat the pattern for the runner twice and sew the ends together to make one long table runner.
How Do I Quilt a Table Runner?
There are two main methods for quilting a table runner. You can create the quilted, pieced top portion, then layer it with batting and a backing material and quilt it on your machine.
You can also employ a quilt-as-you-go method, where you sew the fabric to the batting at the same time you sew the patchwork pieces together.
What Should I use for the Backing Fabric?
If you’re looking to save money, you can use simple solid cotton fabric or scraps from another project. If you are confident in your machine quilting abilities, you could make the runner reversible by adding a beautiful fabric print to the back.
How Do I Bind a Table Runner
I recommend binding the runner by machine. I share my step-by-step binding process in this detailed tutorial.
Quilted Table Runner Patterns
Most of the table runner patterns on this list are free; a few are for purchase. I don’t mind supporting a fellow Maker and paying for a well-written pattern.
If a table runner can be resized easily, I’ve added my comments and suggestions for resizing it.
Spring Table Runner Patterns
Every Spring, I get the urge to freshen up the decor in my home by bringing in a few new colors and textures.
Each of these table runners would make a bright and cheery addition to your home this season.
Spring "Bee" Quilted Table Runner Pattern
Celebrate Spring by adding a pop of color to your home decor! This brightly colored quilted table runner would make a great addition to your table this season.
Simple Fat Quarter Table Runner Tutorial
This table runner is made using a Fat Quarter pack of fabric. You can customize the length of the runner by altering the number of fat quarters you use in your project.
Quilted Linen Christmas Table Runner Tutorial
This table runner is technically a Christmas table runner, but you can easily change it for Spring. The linen texture would be beautiful in Spring colors. You can swap out any 5" tall quilt block for the Christmas trees. Or simply use squares of fabric for a patchwork look.
Dutchman's Puzzle Quilt Block + Table Runner Tutorial
This beautiful runner is created using four Dutchmans puzzle blocks set on point.
How to Make a Quilted Table Runner
A portion of a quilt panel makes this table runner very quick to make. If you can't find a panel piece that you like, simply repeat one of the other blocks in the runner in its place.
DIY Polka Dot Glitter Table Runner
Ok, so this runner is not quilted or pieced, but it's a fun project for Spring! I used glue and glitter to create a fun glitter table runner.
Free "MEOW" Cat FPP Quilt Pattern
Practice your Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) skills while you create this cute cat-themed quilted table runner!
Vintage Daydream Neighborhood Table Runner with Free Pattern
The little houses on this runner are created with applique so you don’t have to worry about piecing them and they all have fun little details for the doors and windows.
Easy DIY Quilted Table Runner | Tutorial
If you've ever wanted to try a quilt-as-you-go project, a table runner is a great place to start. Amy walks you through all of the steps in this tutorial.
Spring Bunny Table Runner Tutorial
A beautifully quilted table runner featuring applique bunnies and flower quilt blocks.
Easy Quilted Table Runner Pattern - AppleGreen Cottage
This may be one of the most thorough table-topper tutorials that I've ever seen! It goes into great detail so that you can feel confident tackling a project like this. If you're a beginner or somewhat new to quilting, this is the tutorial I recommend you begin with.
Modern Holiday Table Runners #186, PDF Pattern
This is a pattern for purchase from Allison Harris. It features six different table runner patterns, including a sweet version made with Tulip quilt blocks.
Heart Table Runner Pattern
A unique take on a simple table runner tutorial, this one adds applique hearts.
Derby Jockey Silks Table Topper Pattern
While this project is a table topper and not a table runner, it's perfect for Spring, especially if you're a fan of the Derby or horse racing.
Free Butterfly Quilt Block
This is not a full pattern for a table runner, but this free butterfly quilt block would be beautiful as a table runner. Measuring 10" x 10" finished, seven of these blocks sewn together would create a 10" x 70" runner. If you'd like it a bit larger, you can add a border.
I recommend sewing the blocks together, tops to bottoms, not side to side, since the wings will all connect. If you'd like the blocks sewn side to side, you could flip every other block.
PDF Spring Quilt Pattern - Tulip quilt pattern
This tulip quilt block is another example of a block that would make a great Spring table runner. This block measures 6" or 12". If you'd like to mix and match your blocks, this designer has a lot of other beautiful Spring quilt block patterns as well.
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