Quilted Table Runners: 16 Free Video Tutorials
⚡ Quick Answer
- Get inspired by 16 free table runner tutorials from Missouri Star, grouped by precut, template, technique, and season.
- Most use one or two charm packs, or a handful of strips — a runner is the cheapest way to try a new block.
- Not sure what length you need? Start with table runner sizes — the usual rule is table length minus 12 inches.
- Every tutorial here is a free video; several also have a printable supply sheet listing fabric requirements.
- Looking for holiday runners? Start stitching your holiday decor with our Christmas & holiday table runners.
We recommend table runners more than almost anything else in the shop. They’re gorgeous, of course, but more importantly, they’re quilt-making magic: manageable enough to actually finish, substantial enough to feel rewarding, and the ultimate test run for new techniques. You’ll catch mismatched points early, and if a new template isn't for you, you’ll realize it on block three instead of block thirty!
- ➤ One or two precuts are usually the whole quilt top. A charm pack (42 five-inch squares) covers most of the runners on this list.
- ➤ Runners are technique practice with a payoff. Quilt-as-you-go, applique, and specialty templates are all less intimidating at this size.
- ➤ Length before fabric. Measure the table first — the finished length drives how many blocks you cut.
- ➤ Free video tutorials, not paid patterns. Each link below goes to a free tutorial; supply sheets tell you exactly what to buy.
How long should a table runner be?
The short version: aim for the length of your table minus about 12 inches, so roughly 6 inches of bare table shows at each end. Width is usually a third of the table width or less. We wrote the long version — with drop lengths, standard table sizes, and what changes for a round table — in Table Runner Sizes: How Long Should a Table Runner Be?
| Table | Common runner length | Typical width |
|---|---|---|
| 4-foot (seats 4) | 36" | 12–16" |
| 6-foot (seats 6) | 60" | 14–18" |
| 8-foot (seats 8) | 84" | 16–20" |
| Console or sideboard | Length minus 8–12" | 10–14" |
💡 Pro Tip: Piece the runner a few inches longer than your target and decide the final length after quilting. Quilting draws the top in, and it's much easier to trim than to add a row.
Charm pack and precut runners
Two charm packs and an afternoon — these are the runners to start with.
Charm pack
Zig Zag Charm Pack Table Runner
Half-square triangles set on point, straight from one charm pack. See the tutorial
Charm pack
Pinwheel Charms Table Runner
Four charms make one pinwheel, so the whole runner is one repeated block. See the tutorial
Charm pack
Friendship Chain Table Runner
A chain of squares that reads far more complicated than it sews. See the tutorial
Precut
Squared Away Table Runner
Square-in-a-square blocks with crisp points and almost no trimming. See the tutorial
Runners that use a template or specialty ruler
If you own one specialty tool, these show it off.
Tumbler template
Tumbler Table Runner
The tumbler shape gives you a scalloped edge with no applique. See the tutorial
Binding tool
Easy Table Runner Using the Binding Tool
A diamond runner built from strips you already have in the scrap bin. See the tutorial
Rhombus template
Mini Rhombus Table Runner
Jenny's rhombus runner: one shape, endless color play. See the tutorial
Template
Starburst Table Runner
A single big star that fills the length of the table. See the tutorial
Piecing and quilting techniques worth learning here
A runner is the cheapest possible way to practice a technique before you commit to a full quilt.
Quilt as you go
Making Waves Quilt As You Go Table Runner
Piece and quilt in one pass — no wrestling a big quilt sandwich. See the tutorial
Project set
Table Top Set
A runner plus matching toppers, so one fabric pull will dress the whole table. See the tutorial
Strips
Serenity Table Runner
Long strips and a simple border: the fastest finish on this list. See the tutorial
Applique
Simple Bloom Table Runner
Your first applique project, on a surface small enough to stay fun. See the tutorial
Seasonal runners (that aren't Christmas)
Christmas has its own list - these cover the rest of the year.
Summer
Papel Picado Table Runner
Cut-paper banners translated into fabric, bright and graphic. See the tutorial
Fall
Hexagon Pumpkin Table Runner
Hexies into pumpkins — it carries you through September into November. See the tutorial
Game day
End Zone Table Runner
Team colors, football season, and a runner that survives snack night. See the tutorial
Which runner should you make first?
If you have never made one: the Zig Zag Charm Pack Table Runner. One charm pack, one repeated unit, and the seams are all straight. If you want to learn something: Making Waves, because quilt-as-you-go on a runner teaches you the whole method in one sitting. If you are using up scraps: the binding tool diamond runner.
What you'll need
Most of these runners are built from precuts and a bit of backing. Shop charm packs, layer cakes, fabric by the yard for backing and borders, batting and notions for the tools each tutorial calls out. For autumn projects beyond runners, see 20 Fall Quilt Projects.
Table runner FAQ
How much fabric do I need for a table runner?
For a 60-inch runner, plan on one charm pack or about a yard of pieced fabric for the top, a yard for backing, and a half yard for binding. Each tutorial's supply sheet gives the exact cuts.
Do table runners need batting?
They benefit from it. A thin cotton batting gives the runner enough body to lie flat and protects the table from hot dishes. Some quilters use a single layer of flannel instead for a lower profile.
Can I use a table runner pattern to make a wall hanging?
Yes, and quilters do it constantly — add a hanging sleeve on the back and the same piecing works vertically.
Are these patterns free?
The video tutorials are free to watch, and several include a printable supply sheet with fabric requirements. Written patterns sold in the shop are separate paid products.
What's the easiest table runner for a beginner?
A charm pack runner with straight seams and no applique — the Zig Zag or Pinwheel Charms runner. Both are finished in a weekend.