Scrappy Table Runner

Do you have scraps of home dec fabric stashed around your craft or sewing area?  I do, too.  More than I'd care to 'fess up to.  I was going to make a new runner for my coffee table, the existing one has seen it's better days.  Suffering from DADD (that would be decorating ADD or maybe even SADD, sewers ADD, although the Students already have that acronym), I decided to make this runner instead.

Ever since I toted this lovely chest home, it's been a bit neglected--kind of a plop-and-go decorating method, that's what lead to my decision to make a runner for this first.  Do you remember the tutorial guest post done by Sonya from Beyond the Screen Door, oh about 329 days ago (give or take)?  I decided to finally try to use her directions for putting fabrics together.  This is what I came up with: 

Initially, I was going to use the blue-ish fabrics shown on both ends to make the entire runner (it's from my former dining room window treatments).  Instead, I selected fabrics that I thought worked pretty well together and placed them in an arrangement I liked (not everything I pulled out made "the cut").  Then I decided how long I wanted my runner--aprrox 44"-- and cut my fabrics out based on that.  I had five fabrics, so they were each cut 9" x 16 1/2".  I'm used to doing projects that have a lot more detail, this was sooo easy.  Incredibly easy.  So easy, in fact, right after you're done reading this post you should go look through your fabric stash!

Sew your strips together, than add pleats or gathers or whatever you like, to the ends.  I added a 1" checked border (which was really just another narrow strip) before the end pleats.  

You can see I finished the edge, pleated and sewed to the check "border".

For the lining, I used this brown floral fabric (really, 'cause I'm out of lining fabric).  It was cut the length and width of the finished top, approx. 46" x 16 1/2".  To attach it, I pre-pressed the short ends under about 1/2", then, I sewed both long ends, right sides together; flipped it right side out and hand stitched it for the finishing.

This is a shot of the back and the hand stitching.  I am so very pleased. 

I didn't set out to put both red fabrics at the end, I just preferred the flow of the fabrics this way.

I think it gives the chest a nice, finished look.  Does this inspire you to use a few of your own scraps?

Oh, yeah, total cost = FREE!


I'm joining the talented ladies at: