I understand. I raised 4 kids, worked for 20 years after they reached high school age and sewed for people at the same time. I am retired and living by myself except for the dogs, but between taking care of the house & yard, and babysitting whenever someone needs me, I don't have as much time as I would like. I have to be selective about the projects I choose. When I am not sewing for gifts for the family I am making quilts for charity so I rarely have time to just do something "frivolous". Maybe someday.....

Clotilde.com sells a book of bedrunner patterns for $7.95. You can either order the book or download the PDF version. Great patterns!
Here is the link:
http://www.clotilde.com/detail.html?...ia=Bed+Runners
Hope you enjoy as much as I am.

This was an idea from someone who has big dogs, would work with any dogs or cats/pets. Sew them their OWN quilt, make it sized what you feel works for your pet. Use Denim, so it's 'nails' tough, and embroidery or special fabric could make it "pet" fun.
Someone made these for bird covers to their cages at night. One for a cover to the cat's tower, they like places to hide. One for a pillowed bed for the dog, then made a blankie for the dog who drags it with him when moving to another room. Also pet treats bags, or supply bag for brush, shampoo, toys. Fun ideas for pets.

I do make bed runners! I saw these all the time in when we lived in Europe and they struck me as the same length and width as a table runner for our "seats 12" dining set. After we returned to the States in 2004, I found the books "Toppers" and "Toppers 2" by Lynda Milligan and Nancy Smith. These bed runners can easily be adapted to larger quilts, which appealed to me A LOT - buying books to build your library can get cost prohibitive unless they offer a true bang for your buck. I like the designs of these two books, which are inviting (not intimidating). The bed runners are a very easy way to switch the look of a room, and are more economical in time and money than a bed-sized quilt. See if you can get these book through your local library's inter-library loan program; if you like them, then pick them up at Amazon.com.

Now I know what I am going to do with the Christmas swaps that were smaller in quantity.

Bed runners are great - especially if you happen to have a bedspread that needs to be dry cleaned. Here's a tip - make it reversible so you have one for each month or season. I made shams and some small pillows to go along with them. It is a great way to practice on blocks that you think you might want to use in a larger quilt. Even made valances (again reversible) to go with it all.

Have a two year old grandson that thinks the runners are his size for laying on the bed...

I had to smile when I saw this question. I had never heard of bed runners until I saw something about them in a Connecting Threads book. THEN....I remembered that I had a Cathedral Window quilt that I started years ago but just didn't finish it. It is at least 90 inches long and about 24 inches wide and makes a wonderful bed runner. Now I really have a use for it. It looks great on the bed and gives your feet a little extra warmth. :lol:

This is beautiful, love the colors. It would work well in my bedroom.

I saw them in an upscale decorating shop. They had bed runners at the ends of the beds that matched bedding, drperies, etc. Must be high-end decor because a piece of fabric over a little batting cost $$$$.

I'm sure glad I joined this forum full of wonderful ideas. This is the first time I've heard of bed runners. What a great idea. It's definitely going on my quilting to-do list. Thanks everyone!