There's also that silver stuff that is an insulated fabric to protect your tabletop should someone set something on top of the quilted piece ..... not sure the name? Thermalore? or?

I use warm & natural or warm and white but pre-shrink it. You should also pre- shrink your fabrics.

My mom started just adding some shirt interfacing stuff. I like the look of the puffier things so I still use a thin batting... just whatever scrap pieces I have left over from other projects.

Are you thinking about Teflon fabric? We use it for potholders. Just be sure to put the silver side facing the wrong side of your top.

If you want a little more body and like the insulation idea, try InsulBrite.

I've used fusible interfacing as well as Warm & White.

Pellon makes a craft batting sold by the yard that's perfect. It's sold both fusible and non, but I prefer the non fusible. I know JoAnn's carries it and I think WalMart does. Thermore would be just right, too.

Thermore. It is thin and poly. Table runners get washed a lot and the poly holds up the best. It has a nice drape. The thinness of it allows you to put things on the runner like candles and glasses, without the worry of tipping.

insulbrite. This is what I use so I can place hot objects on it without ruining the table.

I use Hobbs 60/40 or Quilters Dream, something very low loft. I have made them to order for someone who prefers the 100% polyester batting.

If it's just for decorative purposes, then batting like Warm & Natural will do. If you plan to put hot things on it, use Thermore or something like it - the heat doesn't go through to whatever it's on. I used to use 2 layers of batting for potholders but now I use Thermore (Pellon makes a similar product) so that I can quilt it more easily. Most of the time, the table runners I give as gifts don't seem to be used for hot things. :-)