Table Runner Size
 

Making a table runner and placemats for my mother-in-law. Table is 46" x 34" majority of the time and seats 4. Can extend to 61" x 34" when company comes and they need seating for 6. How big is a good size for the table runner and each placemat? The table runner will be decorative and functional to support hot plates.

When I make mine - regardless of table size or whether round, square or rectangle - I try to make sure that you can put the runner and the placemats on the table at the same time without overlapping the placemats and the runner. This has always made the most sense to me.

What size are your mother's dinner plates? You need room for the glass/cups, napkins, silverware, then make the place mats about 1"larger. Whatever the space is left in the middle of the table will be the size of your table runner.

Maybe use an eight by ten and a half inch on the placemats. It could depend on her size plates that she uses for company. Then the runner could be eight wide if you don't mind them being almost sid to side in the width. Since the width is short, you could make a table topper that would cover the whole top and that would be kinda easier on you.

If she lives close you could use paper cut outs to get a visual idea of how it would look finished and have her input.

She lives FAR from me. I'm in Texas, she is in Oregon. As for plate size. Just normal sized. :(

thinking of doing the runner 36 long and 15 wide. What do you think?