Need design help for table runner
 

My mother in law wants a peach and green table runner. I have put this together without using a pattern. It seems a little short as each half measures 18 inches.
She always uses a centerpiece in the middle and I was thinking about putting some kind of quilt block in the middle to make it longer. It will be covered anyway. I will also probable do a small border.
Any suggestions?

It looks great. Whatever you put in the middle, it will enhance it. She is going to love it. What kind of block are you thinking of?

I don't know what kind of block. It would be really hard to add to the middle by continuing the pattern because the pattern is build with strips from the center to the sides not center to end. I still have more strips but they would only follow the pattern to make it wider.

I'm not sure about a different block in the middle. I think I would try and piece a strata like Tartan suggested. Or maybe make a small section of the pattern going perpendicular to the current one and mirror it????

What if I turn them sideways and make more to add to the length

Turning it sideways loses some of the coolness of the bargello effect. If you're willing to do the extra work, I'd add some more Bargello rows (columns, actually) on both ends 'til you get the desired length.

The strata is built to go from the center to the sides. I already have it sewn. I don't know if I have enough fabric left to build a strata of the sizes that extend from the center to the ends.

take a piece of solid and lay the bargello at the sides of it.... how does it look with a solid center?

Have you thought of adding a piece of the green in the center and quilting it SITD taking the lines across the solid to the other block ? If still not long enough you could add strips of other color (or green) at each end. Just a thought or two.

No ideas for the center. For outer borders, could you add a skinny border or two, then a wider border to give you the length you are looking for-??

Your design looks fine. Usually there is an odd number of strips so there should be a center strip like this. If you need more length than just add strips to both ends.

That is beautiful maniac! Hopefully the OP can follow your suggestion to add to hers-which is also very pretty!

If you have more of the green fabric, I would add it in the middle. With quilting maybe stippling you will not need a actual pieced block but could use a solid piece of fabric. With the green, I think the pattern on each side would radiate from the center. If you hVe to piece maybe start with dark green in center strip and move out to lighter green colors. Let us see the finish!

You might try getting out graph paper and experimenting with some of the ideas offered. If your mil's table isn't really long, once you add your borders, you may find you're not going to need any more length. Good luck. Your table runner is beautiful. Be sure and share your finished runner. I'm anxious to see it.

It could look cute doing the alternating you suggested. The other thing I thought was just adding 1-2 blocks in the center with straight lines of the last color from the outer pieces going across.
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This is what I did. It is only slightly awkward.

I think your solution works nicely. Very pretty.

I don't think it looks awkward at all!! In fact, I'm quite impressed with your solution.

You probably aren't satisfied with it because you had an image in your head of what it should look like. I think your final product is super and I'll bet your MIL will too. It was a "design choice"!!

And add to that: Now it is Unique! And Beautiful!

I've never been interested in Bargello's....until I saw your table runner. This is really pretty!!

That looks nice

I would add a white rectangle in the center and add a monogram or appliqué in the colors of the runner.

Beautiful! I love it,

I like turning them sideways, like you said. Something a little different!

I like your solution! It looks great.

Love your solution! I think it has made a uniquely attractive table runner!

Please don't turn it sideways. It's lovely the way you have it in the first photo. I don't know how to do bargello but can you not continue with the pale pink in the center.....or use the darkest green as a kind of center?

It's really beautiful! Your MIL is going to love it!

EDITED to say I posted this before I saw your solution. It's great!

Your table runner is beautiful.

Very pretty.

Very impressed with your solution. You done great on it & I know it will be treasured.

Thanks. Now to get it quilted.

Like your solution. Had to go back to 1st pic to be sure of what you did. Great Job!

I would add something at the ends, not the middle so you don't ruin the pattern. Your work is beautiful, sorry this happened.

OK, just saw your solution. It's PERFECT.

think your solution is great! I think it looks better than breaking up the pattern - looks like it just belongs there.

I love it! You final solution is perfect, especially since you say your MIL will probably put something in the center of the runner. Great job!