Good Morning,
Your table must be beautiful and I think you should let it show so all can enjoy. I like table runners and have seen them used differnt ways and they look great. I only have two main ones I use, one is 13" and the other 16" wide and both have pointed ends. I will look forward to reading others posts on this.

I hope you have fun making these and I'm sure the reversible ones will be the way to go. I use to sew all the time and just don't any more.

Do you plan on making any place matts to match your runner? Your sister will love her Christmas gift this year knowing it was made by you, how special.

Punk

phonegirl, I made both the table runner and placemats from the "leaves" fabric last Saturday to use for a casual get-together on Sunday. I originally used just the tablerunner with appetizers laid out. Then I forgot to put the placemats on when setting up for dinner. lol! I don't think anyone minded though. :O)

Party, I don't like to see pretty tables covered up either.
I think the runners are a perfect solution. Its wonderful you can make your own, and customize them. I hope to see pictures soon. I think I personally prefer pointed ends, but I also like rounded a lot. Guess it would depend on the table shape as to what's best? I'm pretty clueless about this kind of thing tho.

hugs, Karen

Did you see Dining Delights tablescape? I think she likes to use runners, and she has several pretty ones. I agree that a reversible one would be very practical too. I think the key is to use fabric that coordinates well with the dishes you will use with it. Can't wait to see your tables with your pretty runners. Luvs

I make my own runners, placemats, etc. I have had great success with making a long runner long enough to go end to end on the table with a squared end, or longer than the table with a pointed end. I then make shorter runners to go side to side...either 2 or 3 of them. The runner then becomes a placemat for each pair of diners. The fabric doesn't quite cover the table, but each placesetting is protected. The table will seat 6 people with two cross runners or 8 people with 3 cross runners. The long runner covers both ends. Confused yet???? :^)

I also use runners instead of tablecloths, too, because I love my table's carved edges and would hate to cover them up! I use the kinds with the pointed ends, rectangles and rounded edges. For me, I buy what works with my various dish sets and rarely consider the ends.

Jaybird, I really like your runner idea!
Lynn

I was wondering, when you make your table runners do you put any batting in between the two layers or not? I have never made one before but I am going to try.

I've made my own. I've made both kinds, with and without batting. I usually find that the runner lays better when it has some kind of interfacing inside.
I never think much about the ends. I like both pointy and square.

My table is one that DH had when we married. It was the right size for all of the kids, so I sold mine.
It is blah, so I cover it with a tablecloth.

I would buy a prettier table, but I can't quit spending all of my $$s on dishes and tablescape items!! So, my solution is to just use a tablecloth.

I have seen some tablescapes with both tablecloth and runner that looked pretty good. I actually bought a runner to try it myself. I will post a pic when I use it if it turns out ok.

Jay, I love what you do. Sounds really cool. I may have to try that. I inherited my sister's sewing machine and can't get it to work! I'm not mechanically inclined. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!! At least until I find a sewer who will take me under their wing and teach me how to use it.

Betty

Thanks everyone for the comments! I'll definitely try making a reversible runner next.

And you're right, I should be trying to match the fabric to the dishes I'd use! but I started with a selection of seasonal/holiday fabrics. Autumn leaves to try first... and for T-Day I have a print with fruits & pumpkins, and a holly print for the xmas season. :) I chose fabrics and colors that I thought would look good with the table/room in general. lol!

I mostly use drapery weight fabrics for my runners. I do not use batting because it makes light weight deco items on the table wobble. If I am using a particularly lightweight fabric, I sometimes use flannel for an interlining. HTH