A lot depends on what fabric and pattern you are using for the runner. I did one with bandana fabrics on the front and denim on the back. That one I did not add batting of any kind as I felt like it was ok as it was. Any others I've done I've used a really low loft batting (left over from doing a kid's cloth book). I liked the slight poufiness of the batting on the SID french braid ones I did.

I always use batting in table runners because I feel that gives more protection to the table. It also gives it a bit of body - I can't imagine my table runners looking right if they were just the two layers of fabric.

Missed this the first time it came up.

I'm planning to use Insulbright in my table runners so that they can double as hot pads.

Cheers, K

I use Warm n Natural, even two layers if I intend to use it to put hot dishes on. I think the purpose of most runners is protection from stuff you put on them, so you would want something not puffy, which might be an unstable surface.

I find the format here to be unwieldy, half the time I seem to need to log in, other times not, do not read posts nearly as often as I used to under the "old" format. It seems much more about advertisements than about quilting.

LOL just saw this today.
I did place mats with poly iron-on batting and it worked fine, softened right up, and was a piece of cake to machine quilt. I am a little concerned about tipsy wine glasses due to puffiniess of the mats but I think a table runner would be less sensitive -

I just put a thin batting in as, if you would want to put a candle on it, it would not be to thick. I think most people want just the "look" with out the thickness. That's my opinion any way.

I use Quilters Dream Poly Request.

Just was looking for help and found this post. Just joined today. I am doing a table runner for a friend and she does not want quilting on it. If that is the case, can I forget any batting? I don't want the pieces to shift and wonder if a 16" x 90" runner will have issues with a batting inside the top and bottom. Thanks for any ideas.

I've seen that at crafts fairs too. I like putting batting in my table runners, but I guess some people don't. I use warm and natural.

I used a thicker flannel backing, no batting, loved the result. This time I don't have cream flannel so I ironed on some pellon, but it seems too stiff. I probley will remove it and go get thicker flannel again.

For table runners and small items I use very thin batting Quilters Dream Poly Request Batting I buy throw size 60 x 60 sold at the Fabric Depot.com in Portland Oregon I buy it online. It works very nice and is soft and thin I do use it for handquilting but the package says also useful in machine quilting.

The first table runner I made I was thinking it was to protect the table from things that might mark it, whether heat or wet or ... I used too puffy a polyester, and it never laid completely flat. So now I decide what I'm going to use it for, then either put in warm 'n natural, with our without thermo-whatever-it-is, or flannel, just to smooth it out.