I’m not a runner by habit, but I can make one. I ran track and cross country in middle and high school and once managed a 5:09 mile (thanks to downhill stretches and being very light). That was a one-time fluke—most of my miles were between 6:20 and 7:10. Those days are behind me now (partially because of an old ankle injury and mostly because of laziness). These days I only run when necessary: if I’m being chased or if the baby wanders off. But when it comes to making a runner, I can handle it.
You may have already spotted a sneak peek of this table runner in a photo from Clara’s party. Compared to my big quilt project, this was child’s play—a quick, confidence-building sewing project that felt effortless once I got started. (Full disclosure: I even made a sewing pun for my mom. Happy birthday, Mom!)
Here’s how the project went. First, I sorted through leftover fabrics from Clara’s weekly photo project and selected four coordinating prints for a cheerful, mixed-and-matched look.
Next, I used an existing runner from Target to determine size. I folded that runner into quarters to estimate the dimensions for each fabric square, leaving about an inch extra on each side to allow for seam allowances. This made cutting and planning straightforward—try to aim for consistent squares so the finished piece comes together evenly.
I’m picky about my tools, so a quick aside: I have a pair of “good scissors” that I labeled with a Sharpie to stop my husband from using them for garden jobs or opening heavy plastic. It says “no John cuts,” which keeps those scissors sharp and reserved for fabric. Yes, I might be a little particular, but it works.
All four fabric rectangles were pre-washed to prevent shrinkage, then ironed smooth. Washing beforehand is an important step when sewing home textiles so the pieces don’t pucker or change shape later. I pinned each pair together with the wrong sides facing out so the seams would be invisible from the front. Thanks to readers who suggested pinning perpendicular to the seam line—I forgot to do it this time but will try that technique next project.
At the pinned stage the runner looked rough, but I trusted the process. After stitching the seams and pressing them, everything started to look much neater. If you’re new to sewing, don’t be discouraged by the pinned preview—ironing and stitching make a world of difference.
Once the internal seams were sewn, I ironed the seam allowances toward the back so the front would lie flat and clean. Then I pressed and finished the outside edges. I didn’t pin the outer edges because the baby was about to wake up and I wanted to work quickly, but taking a little extra care while ironing helped keep the edges straight. I sewed those outside seams slowly and steadily to ensure a tidy finish.
With the ends completed, I folded and ironed the remaining unhemmed sides, then stitched around the perimeter to form a neat hem. My bobbin ran out halfway through, which is one of those minor sewing annoyances, but it didn’t derail the project. In the end I found myself enjoying the process—something I didn’t expect, given my previously rocky relationship with sewing machines. Maybe I’m finally warming up to them.
After trimming threads and giving the whole runner a final press, the project was done. The finished runner feels cheerful and festive—perfect for upcoming Clara parties or seasonal events like an Easter egg-dyeing get-together. Best of all, this project cost nothing because I used fabric I already had on hand. It took about 45 minutes to an hour from start to finish, making it an ideal beginner-friendly DIY.
I’ll admit I’m still a beginner—what I lack in technical skill I make up for with enthusiasm. I don’t know all the right terms, and I make mistakes along the way, but experimenting until you end up with something you love has worked surprisingly well for me. If I, someone who once feared sewing machines, can tackle simple projects like this table runner, you probably can too—and maybe even better.
Psst—our baby-proofing adventures continue over on BabyCenter today. Can you handle the excitement?