Table Runner Update
June 5th, 2008 @ 4:18 pm by Mrs. Sundae
As I mentioned before, Mama Sundae and I decided to make the table runners she’s making look more “finished” with something black around the edges. She tested a few different types of ribbon as well as some bias tape, and the bias tape won out in both look and convenience. I didn’t know anything about this when I started out, so I thought I would pass along some of what I’ve learned!
Our tables are the relatively standard 72″ rounds, which seat 8-10 people. We figured out that in order to get the runners to go almost all of the way to the floor (they’re about 3 inches off the floor on each side) they needed to be 120″ long. We originally thought that we would also be able to pick the width, but looking at the fabric we ordered we quickly realized that to have the pattern centered we had to each runner as wide as the biggest part of the pattern:
The fabric came in a really wide roll, so we could get a 3 runners out of a little over 3 yards of fabric (and when I say “we” I really mean Mama Sundae. Aside from the mind numbing math calculations I haven’t had much to do with the making of the runners!) As you can see, there isn’t much room on each side of the pattern so we needed something for the border that wasn’t too thick. The ribbon was cute, but that involved Mama Sundae finishing the ends of the runner (turning them under and sewing them so they won’t fray) and then sewing on the ribbon. Besides looking good, the bonus of the bias tape is that it wraps around the actual edge of the fabric so that the edges don’t have to be finished first. You just wrap and sew.
I ordered the bias tape from JKM Ribbons & Trim, which was the best price I found. We went with the black (obviously) wide single fold bias tape, 7/8″ folded width. There are 3 yards per package and 3 packages per box, so we ordered 16 boxes. Since we had to cover all 4 edges of each runner, it took a lot of bias tape! And I wish I had a recording of the conversation it took to figure all of that out. People left the room.
We’re hopefully having about 14 tables but Mama Sundae is also making runners for the 2 photo booth tables and the escort card table. And since there is extra fabric left over, she’s also making ties for the high-top tables on the patio! So anyway - that’s the story of the runners. I know way more about fabric and yardage calculations that I ever cared to, but it will be worth it in the end! Here are some more pictures of the finished product:
Related Posts
32 Responses to “Table Runner Update”
I think these are beautiful!
I love them! We had the hardest time finding damask fabric to make runners for my wedding. My mom spoke to the rental company that we are using for chair covers and they decided to add them to their offerings- BINGO! No sewing for Momma T now and we don’t have to figure out what to do with 20 runners after the wedding.
Your runners looking amazing- can’t wait to see the wedding photos with everything set up!
I absolutely love the runners. I really want to do something similar, but we have 25 tables! I will probably end up doing something similar, but maybe not to the floor (which is OK, since we aren’t splurging on floor length linens). Thanks for posting your pics and how you got there!
Your mom is so wonderful. You are so fortunate to share this special time with her. Congrats.
that came out so well — awesome. and nice to have post wedding for parties as a happy reminder of your day.
They are FABULOUS!!! I’m so jealous. All our wedding stationery has a damask pattern on it. Where did you find the fabric? Do they have it in different colors…maybe a chocolate brown?
Those are gorgeous! Exactly what I want to make, but I couldn’t decide whether or not to edge them woth black, because…how do I put this?…I’m LAZY. But the bias idea sounds good because it’s much the same amount of work as hemming the darn things. Luckily I only have nine tables. I wonder if I can talk my mom into helping me a LOT with this? It’s her sewing machine, after all! Assuming I can find the fabric…
These are absolutely incredible, I they are even more beautiful than I remembered in the first post 
I’m trying to pace myself with my DIY items for the wedding so I don’t end up getting stessed out and having 10 half thought out ideas, and 100 half finished projects. But I might have to dedicate myself to a project like this because these look so BEAUTIFUL! Can you give a total time and cost breakdown… thanks!
Thanks, everyone! I bought the fabric from Warehouse Fabrics but they also have it at buyfabrics.com. Its called Traditions Black and I do believe they have it in other colors. Also, check ebay for more color options. Hope that helps!
Those turned out great! I love the fabric
That fabric is FANTASTIC!! The finished product is even better! Please do share where you got it!! =)
Yay! I’m so glad the bias tape worked out!! I’m planning on making table runners, so I think I’ll follow suit with the edging. It just looks so professional and all. Well done mama sundae! Oh and don’t sell yourself short on doing all the calculations, that’s the hard part in my opinion 
Okay this might sound anal, but how do you plan to set up the table runners? All going the same way (since ur using round tables) or different directions? I am using Damask fabric as well and have 50 round tables, having the fabric as table runners might save me some fabric instead of using it as a top linen.
I don’t think its anal, Priscilla P! I’ve thought of it too. I am going to have them all running the same direction on each table…likely North/South which would be parallel to what people will see when they walk in the door.
Those are just so beautiful . .. your tables are going to look AMAZING.
Those look wonderful! I am totally emailing you in September after you get married to see if you’re interested in buying them
What beautiful table runners and what a crafty mamma:) I love them!
I’d love to buy those from you after your wedding! My big day is 10/4 of this year!
I was going to angle mine so that they all kind of “point” at the head table…do you think that’ll work?
My fantasy second wedding (I’m saying “if I could do it all again” five months *before* my wedding here) is definitely damask themed. I love it!
I am still enamored with these…I would also pay pretty penny for them when you are done !
I love these and I’m planning on doing them with green trim. I was wondering, how wide is each runner?
Katharine - I think that will definitely work!
Ashley - I am actually not sure how wide each runner is. We just cut them based on the pattern, but I would guess around 12 inches?
miss Sundae, where did you get that wonderful fabric from?
Ms. Sundae, they are absolutely beautiful. Ironically enough I had asked to possibly purchase your runners after your wedding for my daughters wedding 4/4/09. Well, she just broke off her engagement, however, whenever she does marry, she still wants damask…regardless how long it may be.
I wish you all the luck and I do hope you share you pictures. It’s been fun reading all your details.
Miss Sundae - are you giving any thought to selling these runners? I would love to purchase them!
I am probably going to sell them - I will have to wait until after the wedding to make sure none of them get ruined, but I’ll keep everyone posted!
Girllll- these are fantastic! I just discovered your blog yesterday and since we are having the same wedding decor and colors im reading all your back blogs and loving it! i thought i was the only crazy bride obsessed w/doing damask! I am getting married Oct 18 (my invites went out yesterday and i had a similar experience w/a surly postal employee) These runners would be the perfect addition to my plain jane tables. i would love love love to buy from you. i have less tables so even if some dont make it, i could make it work. pls keep me in mind. im happy to send a deposit check (crazy bride!)
congrats, thanks and good work! Nicole (nicnash@gmail.com)
Your runners turned out amazing! If you decide to sell, I would love to purchase them from you. I was hoping to make table runners out of the same exact fabric for my June 2009 wedding.
[...] to myself, “Damask has to be in the wedding!” But seeing Miss (now Mrs.!) Sundae’s table runners definitely played a part in the decision. I immediately got yards and yards of the Traditions [...]
I am looking to make these runners for my wedding in May of 2009. If you’re interested maybe I could sell to you after my wedding. Let me know. Maybe we could discuss tables and how many work out a plan.
madams007@gmail.com
Mrs. Sundae, Chicago/Lake Geneva, WI
Age and Occupation: 28, Knowledge Manager
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Investment Advisor
Engagement Date: July 20, 2007
Wedding Date: September 2008
Blogging Since: February 5, 2008
Venue: The Abbey Resort
About Me: It’s hard to believe that by the time Mr. Sundae and I get married we will have been together for almost ten years. When we first met in college we split dollar pitchers and now we share the mortgage payments. Despite our love for the city we are looking forward to tying the knot in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
You and your mama have done a fantastic job on these ! Highly impressive. ! They are exactly what i want for my reception, actually….so i’m totally drooling !