Should I wash runners?
 

I have always hesitated to wash the table runners I make. Is it normal procedure to wash a runner once it is finished? I don't want to ruin them but wondering if I am skipping the final step in construction. Your help would be appreciated.

I have runners on all my bedroom furniture and my sofa table in my living room. I wash them right after I make them just like I do my quilts. There should be no reason they would get ruined. I do not pre-wash my fabric but I do use color catchers and have never had a problem with color running. I think it is really important if you use starch like I do. In my low humidity area so it probably doesn't matter about getting bugs from the starch but I want the table runner to be soft and wrinkled.

I wash mine when they are done because I know I will wash them later. I look at table runners as a way of avoiding dusting. Just grab them all up and shove them in the wash.

Washing them is fine.

Go ahead and wash them. They may get dirty when used~ :)

I wash mine (gentle wash) and dry it on a flat surface (with a large towel underneath).

I often use starch, so I always wash any quilted item when it's finished.

Washing a finished something is a personal preference. I do not prewashing fab,I do not starch when constructing,I do not wash after completion. Things in my world only get washed ( some machine, some by hand) when the thing: quilt, runner, placemat, whatever gets dirty.....I will air fluff things in dryer periodically...usually seasonally, with change,before storing or using.