Here’s a pretty project for fall. We made this Applique Leaf Table Runner for the magazine Home Accents. We weren’t making videos yet, but we did shoot a lot of step photos! We made the appliques from felt because felt is easy to cut, it doesn’t fray, and it has very nice body. We did a whipstitch outline on each leaf using embroidery thread. Then we topped them with chiffon and net squares. This step is optional, but we thought they added elegance and dimension.
How To Make An Applique Leaf Table Runner
Materials*
Icy blue linen fabric, 2 pieces 17″x72″ each
Brown wool felt, 3 pieces 6″x6″ each
Sheer gold chiffon, 3 pieces 8″x8″ each
Sheer gold net, 3 pieces 8″x8″ each
Icy blue thread
Black embroidery thread or floss
12 black glass beads (We used square beads.)
12 black glass beads
12 icy blue glass beads
8 golden brown glass beads
sewing machine
embroidery needle
sewing needle
straight pins
scissors
iron
tape measure
photocopies of leaf patterns
*This Applique Leaf Table Runner fits a four foot long table. For a custom-size runner, measure the length of your table and add 12 inches to each side. That way your runner will hang 12 inches off each end of the table.
Steps To Make The Appliques
1. It might seem like you would make the runner first, then add the appliques. But we want to hide the stitches inside the runner. So the first step is to make the appliques. To do this, cut out the leaf patterns from the photocopies. Pin one leaf pattern to each felt square.
2. Cut out the felt leaves. We think very sharp scissors work best for felt. You’ll get a nice clean edge that won’t fray. Remove the pattern.
3. Pin a felt leaf to the center of each gold chiffon square.
4. Using the embroidery needle and embroidery thread, whipstitch the felt leaves to the chiffon squares. Remove the pins.
5. Pin one of the chiffon/leaf squares to the center of the blue fabric. (To find the center of the fabric, fold it in half and mark with a pin.) Pin the other chiffon/leaf squares on either side of the center one, leaving a 4″ space between each square.
6. Pin a square of gold net on top of each chiffon/leaf square. (We removed the pins from step 5, layered on the netting, then resued the same pins.)
Attach the squares to the blue fabric by sewing a black bead to each corner.
Steps To Make The Runner
1. Sewing often starts with ironing, so that’s the first step to make the runner itself. With the right side of the blue fabric face down, fold the raw edges 1/2″ all the way around and iron the edges down. Repeat for the other piece of blue fabric.
2. Next, pin the appliqued fabric to the other piece of blue fabric with the good sides facing out.
3. Using a sewing machine and the icy blue thread, stitch the front and back of the runner together 1/4″ from the edge. Sew all the way around.
Here’s a tip. To turn a square corner while sewing with a sewing machine, keep the needle in the down position. Raise the presser foot and turn the fabric ninety degrees. The needle will keep your place!
4. Using the icy blue thread and a sewing needle, string together three icy blue beads, two golden brown beads, and three black beads. Sew one bead-strand onto each corner of the runner.
Have you made a runner before? We also have an easy tablecloth project that has a built-in runner. It’s our most popular sewing project! Check it out here.
Cheers,
Jennifer & Kitty
Love it? Pin it!
Leave a Reply