I've never made a table runner before, but I can't imagine not using anything. I have made some placemats and used the Warm & Natural and they turned out fine. Don't forget to post a pic! :)

I don't use batting, sometimes I will use flannel or another material. I did use batting early on, but if the material is good quality, I don't think it's needed. I also use muslin instead of batting.

I have used craft fleece as well as thin batting. Haven't tried flannel, but that sounds like a good alternative.

I like to use a batting when making table runners. Walmart has one that is perfect and quite reasonable. LOOK FOR IT WHERE THEY DISPLAY THEIR FUSIBLES,ETC. For heat resistant, use thermolam, which can be found in the same place. I used to work at Walmarts fabric dept. before they closed are department. The batting I am referring can also be used for wallhangings and was very popular with our customers. Hope this helps.

I use warm and natural or warm and white in mine and they seem to turn out fine. I've sold several at craft shows lately. I use them myself and they wash great too.

I use washable felt I wash and dry on hot at least 2 times, it does shrink, it gives a nice thin bat for quilting. have also used insulbrite works good to keep heat out.

I make alot of table runners and find it is a good way to use up my scrapes. Some turn out "puffier" than others but that's OK. I've used everything from felt, fleece, batting and flannel.

Yes they need a very lightweight cotton or blend batting. I've also used flannel.

I use Hobbs 80/20 Heirloom. It is thin and flat and it makes the free-motion quilting so much easier.

I have made tons of table runners for craft shows. I generally use the thinnest batting for them. If the runners are used during a dinner, a thin batting doesn't make the serving dishes and/or glassware sit at a tilt and spill onto the table or guest. Plus, it is easier to get a crisp edge after wshing the runners after use and they store better in a drawer until next holiday or season.

I just now realized there are nine pages of responses. It looks like reposting your question really worked! I am having some problems using the new format but I am not real computer savvy and at my age change is not a welcome thing. I will keep trying. I posted a picture the other day but haven't been able to since then. Anyway, good luck with your table runners.

I am so glad you asked this question.....(and I'm just seeing it today!)......I want to make table runners as well, just didn't have the chance to yet....but I thought you HAD to use batting. Then just this Sunday my Mom made one, with no batting at all, just folded over and stitched. So your question helped both of us!!!

Some people choose not to put in batting because glassware tends to be unstable on it. I don't own any stemware at all, so not an issue for me (coffee, teacups, mugs - all go on tablerunners just fine without tipping). Since I don't know how the table runner would be used, I would use Warm and Natural or that Thermo stuff for batting. That way, if they set a hot casserole on it thinking it works just like a hot pad, their table doesn't suffer. I know some people have used felted wool as a batting, but wool continues to shrink every time it is washed and dried and can result in funky shifting within the project.

I like to put a thin batting in my table runners. They need something to make them look smart and to do some quilting on.

I used a cotton batting in the table runners I made last Christmas and they worked out really nice.

I use warm and natural, as you need something for protection of your table from hot dishes. The runner doesn't seem too thick.

I havent used flannel, but have used W&N, it works well. You can also use canvas. I buy it at Hancocks, it sews ok, use a heavier needle if needed, it washes well and it supports really well.

Ditto Ditto Ditto on the board thing - it doesn't seem to be displaying as it used to.
I used a fusible poly for table mats and it was very odd and stiff after I ironed it but it softened right up. It's nice and thin but doesn't give you the shrinkage of cotton, just enough puff to show off the quilting.

I like to use warm & natural in my runners and other small projects. I think it gives my projects a nicer finish~

I have used flannels and polar fleece instead of batting for table runners. And in my most recent runner, an Asian inspired one for my sister's dining room, I'm not using any batting at all.

I have used Warm and Natural in all the ones I've done. I also use W&N in placemats. I generally do an all-over meander so they stay flat. The placemats have been washed dozens of times and still lay flat nicely without being too puffy.

Pam

I use Warm & Natural batting.

At one quilt shop where I first saw the 10/15 minute runner(probably will take longer!) HA!! They put more of a liner in the runner, rather than batting: the younger generation do not like the puffy/old fastion look of batting. I have used a variety of linings: warm and natural, polybatting, and different weight pellons. I think it needs something, if for nothing else; body. I still like the look of cotton batting after it's been quilted.....maybe I'm "old fashion" that way.

I use flannel that I preshrink. I wash it and dry it twice in hot water, then iron it and and use it to give body to the quilting in my table runners. I am not crazy about the thicker battings because I don't want things to fall over.

I find that "warm and natural" to be the best. I think that a light weight batting is essential to the overall look and performance. I also use that for placemats.

I hadn't seen your post when I've been on the board. I would have answered. I usually put in a warm n' natural batting in my table runners except when I did the spicy spiral one. The points would have made it difficult to get done without ruining the small piece of fabric at the end of the points. The instructor of the class I took used batting in hers but I did not like it. I guess it would be personal choice but I usually like batting to put decorative items on the runner and hopefully they don't harm the table.

I like Quilters Dram Poly or a fusible batting.

I like to use a low loft batting when doing table runners. Be sure to post pictures when you are finished.

I came to your party late, but I use Pellon thermolam interfacing. I like the non fusible one. It gives the runner a lot of body and a small amount of loft. Perfect for candles.

I usually use fusible fleece or warm and natural in mine. I prefer the fusible simply because it stays in place when I'm sewing.

I always use warm n natural batting in my tablerunners.

I have been using cotton as well, but maybe I should be using poly so that it doesn't get all wrinkly when you wash it. Hmm, I'll have to give this some thought and test runs.

I agree with some here, not a big fan of this new format at all, so I don't come around as much anymore. It's not worth the headache.

The first one I made for my sister I used thin warm and natural, she said it was too thick, she thought the flowers in vases would tip, the second and thereafter I use cream flannel, works great, or used muslin for the backing.
Good luck

I use INSUL-BRITE which is thin but heat resistant. I worry about an glass or something tipping over if the batting is too thick. (can buy at Hobby Lobby which is cheaper than JoAnn's.)

Been sewing. First I saw of your post.

I notice the difficulties in finding all of a section/unit, beyond the few listed as being important at the moment. To answer about the batting in table runners: I put one layer of Warm and Natural type inside, to give some definition as I like to hand quilt each design, then bind off the edges of those I make. For a longer type runner to place hot dishes on (in ther center motif/design area) I add some Insut Bright, and then write a note to the recipient that she can put hot dishes in that section. The only machine quilting I have done (becxause of bulk in handling material at the machine) is on table runners, where no filler or batting owuld work all right.

I usually put a very thin, flat batting or I use a layer of flannel. If your piece has a lot of little pieces, I would use the flannel.I also use flannel in vests. Or no batting at all.

I go to What's New and then click on the BLUE BUTTON on the right that reads RECENT TOPICS

When I make them I use Warm 'N Natural which is compacted and it works well. Or you can use flannel for batting also. I have been off the computer for a few days or I would have responded.

delma

I have written on the Main board a few times and also have had no responses. Usually I can't even find my post. It disappears. I use cotton batting on my table runners and wall hangings. I think felt (kinda expensive) would be cool to use. Flannel would be nice also. I think just about anything would work well. I've never seen one made with nothing in it.