Easy DIY Reversible Table Runner

A DIY table runner is a perfect beginner sewing project! You can quickly and easily make a reversible table runner that will make your home beautiful instantly!

Three small artificial grass plants in pots centered on a table runner patterned with colorful autumnal flowers, squirrels, and birds.

This is one of our many free table runner sewing patterns.

This easy DIY reversible table runner is perfect for the holidays or decorating year round. By choosing two great fabrics, you can keep your rectangular table runner out for a long time!

A hand lifts the corner of a double-sided table runner, revealing a white side with multicolored dots and an autumn-themed side with flowers, leaves, birds, and acorns.

How to Make a Reversible Table Runner

Supplies

Two different fabrics (around 2 yards each; see measurement chart below)
Fusible Interfacing, light to medium weight (around the same size as the fabric)
Iron
Turning Tool (optional)

Two bolts of cotton fabric: one white with small multicolored polka dots and one with a dense floral and leaf pattern in autumn colors. — The two fabrics I used. I wouldn’t suggest using a thin white fabric as I did because you can see the other fabric through it.

Instructions

Step 1

Measure the table to figure out how much fabric and interfacing you will need.

Length

Measure the top of the table from one end to the other, measuring the length of the table that your table runner will be covering.
Add 13 inches (33 cm) to the measurement (this includes 6 inches (15 ¼ cm) overhang on each side plus ½ inch (1 ¼ cm) seam allowance on each side)

Width

Measure the width of the table, then divide that measurement by 3 (the runner will be covering ⅓ of the table)
Add 1 inch (2 ½ cm) to the measurement to allow for a ½ inch seam allowance on each side

A hand uses a yellow measuring tape to measure the length of a white rectangular table next to a gray upholstered bench.

Now that you know the measurements (length X width) you will need to cut two pieces (one each of two different types of fabric) in that size.

Cut one piece of interfacing, reducing the amount on each of the sides by ½ inch so that the interfacing is not sewn in the seam allowances.

*Helpful Tip: You can adjust the length and width of your homemade table runner however you would like. The 6-inch overhang is standard, and I wouldn’t go shorter than that, but you could do longer. For the width, you can choose to make a more narrow or a wider table runner. It’s up to you at this point and what makes you happy!

A table runner patterned with autumn leaves, flowers, acorns, and a small bird, draped over a white table. — DIY Table Runner with 6 inch overhang

Step 2

Iron on the fusible interfacing to the wrong side of one of the fabrics. (Check out my beginner’s guide to interfacing for how to apply and use it.)

A piece of fabric with a smaller piece of interfacing on top, with a pink arrow pointing to the edge and the text: “Interfacing isn’t as wide as the fabric.”

Step 3

Place the two pieces of fabric together, right sides facing together.

Two layers of fabric on a cutting mat: one white with multicolored dots, and one with a floral and woodland animal print.

Clip all the way around the fabric edges to keep even as you are sewing.

A square piece of light-colored floral fabric secured with sewing clips to a black cutting mat.

Sew along ½ inch seam allowance on all four sides, keeping a 4-5 inch open gap on one of the short ends. Backstitch at the beginning and end of your stitching.

Step 4

Clip the corners, being careful not to cut the stitching.

A corner of fabric with a sewn seam resting on a cutting mat, with a small triangular fabric scrap trimmed off and sitting nearby.

Turn the table runner inside out through the open gap.

A hand holds a piece of fabric featuring an autumnal print of sunflowers, leaves, and acorns, positioned in front of a sewing machine on a cutting mat.

Push out the corners with a turning tool, crochet hook or other similar item.

Step 5

Press the wrinkles with a hot iron, pushing out the seam allowances as you iron to get them to lay nice and flat.

Press under the edges of the open gap to match the rest of the seam allowance.

Step 6

Topstitch around all four edges, using a ¼ inch or 1/8 inch seam allowance, closing the open gap as you go.

A sewing machine needle positioned over fabric patterned with autumn leaves and a bird.

Helpful Tips I Learned While Making a Reversible Table Runner

Don’t choose a fabric that is white or too thin because you can see the other fabric through it. Ask me how I know! LOL
Quilter cotton or linen are great fabric choices for table runners.
Whatever fabric you choose, make sure it can handle high temperatures if you will be putting hot serving bowls on the table runner without a hot pad or DIY rice trivet. You would not want to use a delicate silk or polyester because they would be damaged with the heat.
Pre-washing the fabric is a great idea if you think you will be washing the table runner after using it.
Thicker fabrics, such as canvas, denim, upholstery fabric and home decor fabric do NOT need interfacing!

Want to save this sewing tutorial? Be sure to Pin It to Pinterest!

Three small potted artificial grasses sit on a table runner patterned with autumn leaves, flowers, squirrels, and birds. Text at the bottom reads, “How to Sew a Table Runner, EasyThingstoSew.com.”

I chose autumn fabric prints for this table runner sewing tutorial, which makes it a perfect choice for Thanksgiving table runner sewing patterns.

These quick and easy table runners are the perfect way to decorate for the season. Check out all of my holiday sewing projects for more handmade decor for your home.

Easy DIY Reversible Table Runner