Table Runner & Placemats

[SmilieFace]

Yesterday I bought quilters fabric, cotton batting, and insulbright for a table runner and placemats project i've been envisioning for a couple months. I'd like my table runner to be able to have things placed directly on it throughout dinner. Anyway, I sat down to cut and realized I didn't know how to measure. My rectangular table isn't that big -- enough room for 4 chairs, with one chair on each of the 4 sides. If I make the table runner longer than the length of the table, this means it will be hanging into someone's lap. If I do that or even just make the table runner the length of the table, I'll have to place two placemats on the runner. I think if I don't make it at least table length, I might as well just make potholders.

Your thoughts? How long should my table runner be?

[bridesmom]

I have a long one that goes end to end and hangs over about 12" at the ends, then the 4 placemats go on the sides of the table so you can actually get 6 people around the table. If there were only 4 people then you would just use 2 of the placemats and then the ends of the runner are the other 'placemats'. If you don't like that idea, you could do a smaller wider version of the runner or do matching napkins, make large squares and serge the edges with rolled hems.

[lendube]

Or, I was thinking, you could make the placemats, potholders and then different sized "pads" for your serving dishes, etc. Make them in 12x12, 8x8, whatever seems most practical.

[Mule]

Or make one large "pad" for the center of the table. Have it a rectangular shape that ends a few inches before the placemat. That's the beauty of making your own -- you can make it any way you want, to suit your own needs!

[Mom of Six]

Or make one large "pad" for the center of the table. Have it a rectangular shape that ends a few inches before the placemat. That's the beauty of making your own -- you can make it any way you want, to suit your own needs!

I like this idea!

[lendube]

I suppose if you go that route you might as well make a tablecloth with the insulbrite covering the whole table! I guess it all depends on how attractive your table is and how much room you have in the middle.

[Bama]

A square table topper would be nice. You can tilt it diagonally across the table and each corner could be used like a placemat. I think it would still look fine if two corners hang over the table edge. OR.... make it diamond shaped to fit perfectly on the table.

[LeapFrog Libby]

I think I would make a pad for the middle of the table and leave room for the placemats at each side. If you make smaller pads, then you could have pads slipping around in the middle of the table.

[MartySews2]

Smilie, the website http://www.sewing.org has a lovely tablerunner pattern as a free PDF download. It gives instructions on how to calculate the size of a tablerunner & placemats. Lots of good info on that website.
Marty

[SmilieFace]

One last question...My table runner measures 10" x 60". I'm going to put a layer of "White & Natural" batting in between. Is it alright if I just have the one long piece? Or do I have to quilt it somehow? Also, it says prewashing is optional. Do you suggest I prewash the batting?

Here's what my table looks like now.

I need to decide if I want to use white bias tape, black bias tape, or no bias tape around the placemats. Your thoughts?