Table runner/placemat sizes??
 

I don't use a table runner or placemats. The charity I sew for has requested some to sell at a Craft Fair. The web says to make them 15" x whatever - longer for the runner, shorter for the placemat. I made a set of 4 placemats and 1 runner and I can't fit them all on either my kitchen or dining room table. It would seem that 15" is too big but that's the size I keep finding on web sites and tutorials. I guess I'll make them smaller in the future. What size do you make yours?

Thanks.

I haven't made any but I just measured the purchased placemats I have and they are about 12.5 - 13". They seem plenty wide enough to me when in use. Actually, now that I think of it, I did make a runner for a friend a number of years ago. I'd have to go searching through my patterns/books to get dimensions.

Don't go to any trouble!! I've looked at online patterns, tutorials and items for sale on etsy. I found most are 15" but there are some smaller. I've also seen pictures of placemat/runner sets where the placemats are hanging over the edge of the table, like what happened to me. I saw some other pictures of sets for sale where the placemats overlap the runner. It's all over the map!

I think the placemats could stand to be a little shorter. That's what I'd like if I was using these at least.

Edited to add - maybe I have small tables? They are both about 41" across.

I went to a restaurant supply site - for the sizes of paper place mats.

It seems like 10 x 14 and 13.5 x 9.5 were common sizes. (inches)

Interesting bear. Thanks! I didn't think to look there. Those are both smaller than what I made.

This site sells 11 x 17 inch place mats.

http://www.sudekusa.com/placemats?gc...FQKTaQod2jMHbA

Probably depends on where you are dining?!

Really, it's all over the map!! I'm very surprised.

I'm either going to make the runners thinner or the placemats.

My dining room table and kitchen table are both 41" across. They don't seem particularly small to me but maybe they are?

My "big" table that extends from 60 to 96 inches is only 38 inches across.

Wow, that's real interesting!! Thanks for going to the trouble of measuring it. I should google average table widths. I will do that now.

Edited to add - That was easy!

"Most dining tables average 36 inches wide and vary from 30 inches to 48 inches. A 72 inch long rectangular table will comfortably seat six. A 96 inch long rectangular table will comfortably seat eight. A 120 inch long rectangular table will comfortably seat ten."

http://www.wayfair.com/ideas-and-adv...ize-S4891.html

So who exactly is using these 15" tall table runner/placemat sets??

Personally, I think the sizes should vary. Every one has a different sized table. My table is smaller than my sister's so we would need different size table runners. What would look good on my sister's table might look too big on mine

Yes, I agree the sizes seem quite variable. I'll be making these for sale to unknown people. I guess I'd better make them on the smaller side to be safe. Thanks!

i agree. I like mine 14 x 18" as I want room for the wine/water glass to be on the placemat and also not be affected by the thickness of the binding ( for tipping reasons). These fit my table but they may be too big for others. One of the things I like about sewing/quilting, is that I can customize for me. For a craft show, I'd probably make them 13"x18".

There is no one size for placemats. The size varies mostly depending on the pattern.

I make my personal placemats oversized also, so that the glass can be on the mat and not the table itself. I make them 15" high by about 20" wide. Table runners vary from 12" "high" to 15" or even more, but the perfect size depends on what looks best on the table. My own table doesn't look good with both a runner and mats at the same time.

That comment really got me thinking Lee. The group I sew for specifically asked for placemat/table runner sets but perhaps they don't know the market. I think I should also make table runners and placemat sets as stand alone items. Because there are probably a lot of people like you in the world. Thanks!!

I wouldn't buy a matched place mats and table runner set. I would use the runner or the place mats on a table and not both. Even though my tables are very wide, I don't like the look. My problem with place mats is they come in sets of four and I need five. I refuse to buy two sets, so until I sew some for myself, we don't use place mats.

Love what I learn here! I made two table runners in the size you see in quilter's magazines. I can't put a place mat down for us to use because my table isn't very wide and the table runner really needs to be skinnier. I've been trying to decide if I can modify table runners or just start making place mats. My DH suggested a place mat that would go from his side across to my side of the table (like a bed runner). I'm seriously thinking of trying this out!

I think you've just invented something!! I like that idea. While looking at images of runners/placemats on google I did see regular width runners that went across the table. In the pictures they had 2-3 runners along the length of the table but one wider one sounds like a great idea. Very original!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/images/misc/quote_icon.png Originally Posted by carolaiken http://www.quiltingboard.com/images/...post-right.png
My DH suggested a place mat that would go from his side across to my side of the table (like a bed runner).

I like this idea. Some tables are pretty small - especially in RV type homes

I use most of my homemade place mats on the breakfast bar and I really like to make them oversized. (14"x19") But, I know not everyone has that in mind when they are buying mats. My fancy dining table ones are 12"x17" that I bought.

My grandmother was a weaver, she made all her hand woven placemats at least 18 inches wide and 12 inches tall. She was old school and believed that all the utensils, dishes, glass ware had to be on the placemat. She also used rigid mats in the middle of placemats, to protect her oak table from hot plates (plates are always heated for a hot meal in our family). A bread and butter plate could be off the placemat.

So the other variable is the size of dinner ware and the number of utensils and glasses that need to be accommodated. Smaller plates with just a knife, fork and spoon, plus one glass need less room that a more formal place setting.

I have a very narrow dining room table, to fit my narrow dining room. I have used matching long runners across the table so each end becomes a place mat for that seat. Or I use placemats, but I do not have room for runners and placemat together.

Mostly I use vintage embroidered and hand made lace table cloths. I will put a place mat on top if I am dining alone or if I have guests and we are eating something potentially messy like spaghetti.

I use a table topper in the middle of my table and placemats -- I don't like a table runner with my placemats. I am also one of those folks who adapt the size of the placemats to suit my tables.

The place mats on my table are 16 1/2" wide by 13" tall.....guess place mats come in various sizes.

One does not necessarily use the placemats and tablerunner at the same time. My kitchen table is 38 inches and my dining room table is 44 inches. I use tablerunners in between meals. The placemats when the table is set. My placemats are 13-1/2 inches wide. Sometimes I use an extra placement in the center under a flower vase but don't leave the runner on the table for a meal.

Thank you for all the replies. I think I stated in my first post that the group I sew for requested table runner/placemat SETS to sell at a craft fair. Based on what you all have said, I will continue to sew matching runners and placemats but I will keep them separate, priced separately. If an individual chooses to purchase a set of placemats and a runner, made out of the same fabric, they can do so. But it seems many other customers will buy pieces instead. I would not have known this without your valuable feedback.

Don't forget some people have round tables. Personally, I would prefer the placemats be a little curved and smaller at the top than the bottom.

Google patterns for each and check them out,

Make a place setting with plate, glass, cup and saucer and flatware. Then measure it and give a bit more for space. If you have a pretty 'regular' size table, lay a piece of fabric down the center leaving room for the place settings along side it and measure the fabric. These measurements would be a good start. Reminder, if you want to put something inside the placemats, don't make it so thick that a wine glass will loose it's balance!

The sets I made for my aunts were 9x13.

Great topic, I make placemats often and have posted many photos ... Minimum size would be 12-1/2 X 14, they really come out different sized depending the method and pattern I use. Using charm squares produce larger placemats.
I plan to make a table runner to match next time .. To put on table when meals are not being served (I now leave placemats on table all the time -- I am thinking a runner would be a lovely change. Great ideas every day in these boards. Off with these new ideas. :)

Judy in Phx, AZ