How do you cope with the fact that all of the outside edges are on the bias...? Also what batting have you used in the table runners? I have used batting left over from a quilt but would a thin batting be better for a table runner?

Before you start cutting, starch the fabrics heavily!!! This helps keep the bias from stretching :D:D:D

Thicker/lofty batting would have to be quilted very heavily if you want to sit light weight objects on your runner or they tend to tip over lol due to the puffiness. Also, if you ever want to set something hot on the runner, cotton is a better choice :D:D:D

Thank you for your replies... I very carefully, with my walking foot, sewed near the edges all around the runner... and it looks OK so far... my next step is to put the binding on... thanks for the info regarding the batting... maybe next time I will use a thinner one... there have been several photos of table runners on this site and I was sort of hoping that these people would tell me just what they did with the edges... before putting the binding on or whether they did nothing with the edges... I had been thinking of hand sewing a running thread around but didn't.

4 loretta..... the edges are on the bias and will stretch badly if not careful... however I seem to have overcome this alright by staystitching around it very carefully... thanks for that.

I glue baste my binding down, the glue helps to stabilize the bias edges, too. It also IMHO is easier than dealing with all of the pins, especially on larger or longer items.

I've recently made a few table runners/toppers as gifts and I used a nice flannel as the batting. It gives just enough stability, yet it lays nicely on the table. So far, they have washed up good, too. I made my MIL a set of table runner, placemats and napkins for Christmas. I used the flannel for the placemats, too.
I do wash the flannel beforehand as it does shrink.

Just this week I tried the tube quilting - I love it!
Like the others mentioned, starching and going slowly and staying mindful of the bias edges helped me.