How to Make a Multi-Panel Table Runner

This tutorial shows how to assembly a multi-panel table runner using any size of the design. The steps below also work for all of our multi-panel table runners no matter the shape of the end pieces.

Cut a piece of medium cutaway stabilizer and a piece of the main fabric that are both bigger than the embroidery hoop. Spray the cutaway stabilizer with temporary spray adhesive and smooth it on to the wrong side of the fabric piece.

Hoop the fabric and stabilizer together. Make sure everything is hooped tightly and there are no wrinkles or puckers in the fabric.

Load the first embroidery file on the machine, and attach the hoop onto the machine. Embroider the entire first design.

Once the embroidery is finished, unhoop the embroidered fabric, and set it aside. Do not trim the fabric or stabilizer yet.

Our multi-panel table runners can be easily customized to be any length you'd like. To adjust the length, simply embroider and attach more center pieces (file "a") to make a longer table runner or less center pieces to make a shorter one. For example, these two table runners are different lengths because one uses one center piece, and the other uses two center pieces.

Repeat the previous steps to embroider all of the panels that will make the chosen table runner. You will need two end pieces but as explained in the previous step, you can embroider as many or as few center pieces as you'd like for your table runner. For example, we embroidered two end pieces and two center pieces to make this autumn table runner.

To prepare the embroidered panel piece, iron it with a pressing cloth on top. Try and remove any wrinkles, and make the sides as straight and flat as possible.

After pressing, it is time to cut the seam allowance around the four edges of the first panel. Decide on the seam allowance you would like to use. It can be based off the width of the bias tape you are using or what you are comfortable sewing for stitch and turn.

For straight edges, measure outwards from the rectangular box sewn around the panel, and cut that seam allowance around all straight sides. The easiest way to measure and cut the seam allowance is by using a quilting ruler and rotary cutter. If preferred, you can also measure and draw the seam allowance with a fabric marking tool, and cut it with scissors instead.

For curved sides, using a marking tool and scissors is easiest. Use a marking tool and ruler to measure and mark your seam allowance away from the curved edges. Then cut along the marks with a scissor.

Repeat the previous steps to press all of the embroidered panels so they are straight and flat. Then cut the seam allowance around all four sides of each panel as well.

After all the panels are pressed and cut out, carefully arrange them on the work area to show what panels will go next to each other after they are lined up. Keeping the pieces arranged like this while you assemble the table runner will help you see what sides need to be sewn together. It will also help prevent them from being mixed up or sewn together in the wrong order.

To begin assembly, take the left two panels, and lay them on top of each other with right sides together. Match up the edges of the fabric, and then pin or clip them together along the side that needs to be sewn together.

For best alignment, carefully look between the two panel pieces and line up embroidered rectangles on each panel before pinning.

The trick to perfectly lining up the panels is to pay close attention to the outer embroidered outer rectangle on each panel. Like mentioned in the previous step, take extra care while pinning to match up the embroidered rectangles of both panels as best you can.

Sewing right on top of the rectangle border will look best and leave no gaps, as well as help maintain the correct seam allowance.

Place the piece on the machine with the wrong side of either panel facing up, and sew the panels together along one side. Make sure to sew carefully on the embroidered line, and use your chosen seam allowance.

After sewing the seam, press the seam so it lays nice and flat using a pressing cloth. Using a pressing cloth when ironing protects the stabilizer and fabric from the iron.

After the left two panels are sewn together, repeat to sew the rest of the panels together in a row. Press each seam after sewing with a pressing cloth on top.

Now that the panels have been sewn together to create the front of the table center, we can cut out the other pieces. Lay the assembled front piece on the back fabric and trace around it with a fabric marking tool to draw the shape on to the back fabric. Then cut on the drawn line to create a back piece that is the same size as the front piece.

Repeat to trace the front piece onto cotton batting with a fabric marking tool. Then cut on the drawn line to create a batting piece that is the same size as the front piece.

If you use bias tape, layer your three fabric pieces with the back piece on the bottom, the cotton batting in the middle, and the front piece on top. Make sure the wrong sides of both the front piece & back piece are against the batting. Match up the edges, and pin or clip them all together.

If you are not using bias tape skip this step and the next two steps, and continue onto the step below about alternate ways to finish the edges of the placemat.

If using bias tape, baste the three layers of the table center together along all the edges. You can baste right on top of the embroidered rectangle border or just outside of it in the seam allowance.

If you want to quilt the table runner layers together to add an extra personal touch, do that instead of basting the edges before continuing.

If using bias tape, line up, pin, and sew the bias tape around all four edges of the design.

If you do not want to use bias tape, you can instead finish the table center edges however you would like.

For example, you can finish the placemat off using the stitch and turn technique and then top stitch along all four sides to close the opening and help all edges lay flat.

This completes the multi-panel table runner. Create runners of different lengths to decorate the entry ways, dining rooms, or even coffee and end tables.