Help with Insulated Table Runners
 

I want to make a table runner which is quilted and insulated so I can put hot casserole dishes,etc on the table without ruining the table. I’ve tried using cotton and insulbrite which works well until I wash it. Is there any product out there that will hold its shape, protect my table and can be quilted?

What happens when you wash the table runner? Do you pre-wash the fabrics? There are products like s*oft and stable used in bags to make them firm so you might want to contact them directly to inquire.

I generally do not wash my fabrics prior to sewing. When I wash the table runner, it loses its body and is soft like a quilt. I wash but do not dry so it does scrunch up a bit (which is fine with me). I’d like a finished product that has more body/stiffness to it...as well as an heat insulating factor. And I’d prefer not to have a huge number of layers to sew thru!

What about something like Bosal? It gives body and light stiffness to the item but is washable.


Watson

Have you found a Bosal product that also has insulbrite qualities? Haven’t tried Bosal yet...would it be too thick if I just added a layer of insulbrite?

Machine quilting!

psquared...I've never used insulbrite so I can't say. Bosal isn't that thick, to my mind. You'd have to give it a test run. Only about 1/8" thick.

Editted to add they have a thing called Thermafoam for hot and cold stuff...might look into that.

Watson

Thank you!

I make placements and mug rugs with double or triple layer of batting for just this purpose. They protect my table, are easy to wash and wear well. I use a cotton batting but wool or bamboo may work as well but I do avoid most polyester battings because of the heat factor. Sometimes I have to cut my binding wider than normal to accommodate the thickness but it all works out well.

I use the heat resistant silver fabric for the backings of tablerunners that are going to be used for hot dishes. It stays smooth after washing. At least the bolt I have of it has lots of body to the fabric. It's years old so I don't know if it is still made the same.