Wavy Table Runner Tutorial with Free Template

I’ve realized something about myself recently, I don’t know why it took me so long.. but I really love decorating my dining room table.

Maybe it was watching all of those elaborate wedding shows growing up, but I love a good tablescape.

And the holidays are a perfect time to go a little wild! When I’m planning out big holiday meals, I always think about what I’d like the table to look like, name cards, napkins, charger plates and most importantly, the runner!

These are obviously all optional, and I only do this for big holidays like Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving. But it’s totally worth it! It looks and more importantly, feels magical.

This year, I wanted something a little different, but still classy and elegant.

The quilted wavy table runner was a perfect answer, fun, smaller project and it used up a lot of the batting strips I had leftover from trimming quilts.

Table runners are fun because you can customize them so easily for your own table, want it shorter or longer? You do you!

Want to use a beautiful canvas? Or an old quilt? Jeans? Scrappy fabric? Go for it! The options are endless.

Before getting started, make sure you download the Wavy Table Runner Template (free!) and have it printed and ready to go.

Supplies Needed for a 80″ runner:

83” x 14” length of fabric for top of runner (I used this fabric)
83” x 14 length of fabric for backing of runner
83” x 14” Quilt or Bag batting (I doubled my 80/20 cotton quilting batting for an extra thick runner)
1 Printed and assembled Template
208-210” double fold bias binding OR
⅝ – ¾ fabric for making double fold bias binding (see directions) (I used this fabric)
Notes: Runners generally go beyond the edge of your table by about 6″, or you can have a shorter one centered in the middle of the table. For shorter or longer runners, add 3-4″ to your desired finished length, use that measurement for your fabrics and batting. It helps if you print off the template and measure your table in increments of the template so that your finished runner will have even scalloped edges.

Preparing The Runner Sandwich

Similar to a quilt sandwich! Okay it’s the same thing, but either way, it’s fast and mostly easy.

Find a nice open area, lay down your backing fabric piece right side down.

Baste the batting to the backing, I used 505 basting spray (my favorite!) but you can use safety pins or even thinned out washable glue.

Baste the top fabric piece to the top of the batting, right side up. Smooth it down and make sure it’s nicely adhered together.

Quilting the Runner

Using a long ruler, mark long straight lines down your runner using an erasable or water soluble marker (test the marker first to make sure it’ll erase!).

I started with 1″ increments and then went back and added lines for .5″ in between each line.

This is called matchstick quilting or straightline quilting. It’s a fantastic way to practice sewing straight lines.

Using a walking foot and longer stitch length (3.5-5mm), stitch down your marked lines, making sure to start on the same side the entire time.

This prevents puckers and odd pulling that can distort the runner (this applies to quilts as well).

Quilt down the 1″ lines and then go back and quilt down the .5″ lines. It was easy for me because the walking foot edges were lined up perfectly, so all I had to do was make sure the walking foot was centered and then stitch away!

Once the quilting is complete, wash away or erase the marks.

Cutting out the Runner

Using the same marker and wavy template, mark lines on your runner around the template to create the wavy edges.

Remove the template and stitch on the marker line you just made. This is an optional step but will help lock all the layers in while you’re attaching the binding.

Cut 1/8″ past the stitch line to finish cutting out the runner.

Now it’s mostly complete! We just need to add the binding and it’s all done.

Making Bias Strip Binding

Line up the 45 degree line on your ruler along the bottom left edge of your binding fabric.

Make cuts along the long edge of your ruler, repeat every 2.25″ to make bias strips. Be gentle with them as they will stretch easily.

Line up the ends, right sides together so that there is some overhang on both sides.

Draw a diagonal line and then sew over the line to join the bias strips end to end. They should be joined diagonally to reduce bulk.

Continue adding strips end to end to make one long piece of binding.

Iron the strip in half lengthwise, stopping at the seams to trim the excess fabric and iron them open (again to reduce bulk).

Attaching Bias Binding to the Runner

Clip the binding strip, leaving about 6-8″ of loose binding strip at the beginning, around the perimeter of the runner right side up. Make sure both loose ends are facing outward and the folded edge of the binding strip is on the runner.

You can do this with clips, or even use washable glue and iron to set it in place.

Sew the binding strip in place with a 1/4″ seam allowance, stopping at the tighter corners and slowly going around them.

When you reach the beginning again, stop about 7-8″ from where you started. Fold the binding strips so that they meet in a central point, finger press a line or mark a line.

Pull the strips open and up, meeting the finger pressed line from both sides align and sew down the line, making sure right sides are together.

Fold the binding strip again and clip in place to test the length, make sure that it doesn’t bubble up or have excess/too little. Unclip and trim off the excess from the seam you just made.

Clip or baste in place again and finish sewing your binding strip down.

Fold the binding strip over and around to the opposite side of the runner.

You can machine stitch this side down (the stitching will show on the opposite side of the runner) or hand stitch it closed using small whip stitches (what I opted to do).

Your runner is complete! I can’t wait to see your beautiful runners, and hopefully they make a gorgeous statement for your holiday table. Tag @quiltdstudios on Instagram so I can share your pictures 🙂