Okay - I'm addicted to table runners and my latest project is a runner for a friend's birthday tomorrow. Gave myself almost a week to do it - no problem. BUT I was convinced that runners should be reversible. Why would you make one with a plain back when you could get double duty? As an expert on the subject - I've made exactly one reversible runner - I set off to make a masterpiece.

Did you KNOW that the back has to match the front enough to be quilted the same? Really??? I did think enough to have the same size borders, etc, but one side needed diamonds and the other really needed strips. Gave up on that and pulled out a solid back instead. It's a totally different look, but ... much frustration in the meantime trying to make it work.

What do ya'll do for batting in a runner? I put my thinnest batting in it and it was still too puffy. Felt like you'd have to roll it instead of fold it to store it away. Even pulled out some fleece, but it seemed just as thick. Ended up pulling out all the batting and making it without any.

Before you wonder why on earth I put such a masculine fabric on the back you'd have to see this friend's house - full of deer mounts, leather furniture, very lodge-y looking. Many many years of deer camp with three generations of hunters are in her family story. She'll love it!

well it looks lovely. good job!!

Yep, definitely a very nice, usable runner. Should go very well with the decor you described. Turned out beautifully, despite the dramas.

I like it!

This is what I THOUGHT I was going to put on the back - silly me!

I could even have handled the diamond shaped quilting on the strips, but the center of the strip side was more narrow and the diamonds would have extended into the black border. Didn't think I'd like that.

As it turned out - without batting the quilting doesn't really show anyway. Sometimes I get a bit tired of "live and learn"!

I know I'll use it somewhere - hadn't thought of Cinco de Mayo - had thought just about Spring. Certainly cheery. I have planned more runners for my secret pal from church. Have to REALLY be careful when I plan them - lucked out on the first one - very little drama with that one.

It is beautiful. I love the floral fabric on the front. Great job and thanks for sharing.

It is awesome!!!

It is really very pretty, but don't we just love to jump into a project without thinking it thru?? That is half the fun!!

So I'm not the only one! :)

Jump, jump, jump here. But I can be trained - I'm working on a quilt made from two honey buns. When I got the first row done - 14 blocks - I SOOOO wanted to sew them together to see what it would look like. Having them laid out on my "design bed" just isn't enough. But ... I didn't. Having learned the hard way that waiting is better. Well, of course you know, I've rearranged blocks from one row to another to spread out the colors as I've added each set of blocks for the next row. So ... I can learn! Just wish is wasn't always the hard way....

Love it and so will the recipient! good job :D:D:D

I love it! I'm a hill country girl, and the deer are perfect! Love the colors!

I think it turned out great! BTW, we're only 30 min. apart...small world! :)

Never would have noticed.

Lovely. I think if you had stippled or even SID it with the original fabric, what's on the back would not matter. I love your original backing!

I think that material would make great borders. They are already in a row and everything.

Nicely done!

What a lovely idea - i am sure she was thrilled with it.

Thanks - I just didn't know. My concern was for the black border on the back side - the front SID would have cut into the borders. I had to make the stripe side narrower because of the amount of fabric I had and planned to just make up the difference with the borders. That's where the quilting issues came in - with the borders.

When I learn to lay out things ahead of time instead of winging it quite so much I'll have an easier time. When I grow up I'm going to start doing that! :)

Beautiful

:lol: Now you have another runner half finished! :thumbup:

i just use a layer of muslin for batting in runners i want to be really flat...pre-washed-- it seems to be enough to keep any seams or threads from showing through

:lol: Now you have another runner half finished! :thumbup:[/quote]

My thoughts exactly! And since I currently seem to be addicted to making runners - I'm okay with that.

Warm and Natural works well for table runner batting. I have also used just a layer of flannel(pre-washed). Cost saver also!!

I taught a group of young mothers at our church how to do a reversible table runner. The pieces were very similar for both sides, just in appropriate fabrics for 2 holidays. We did an all-over random swirly loop-de-loop quilting on it, because of the non-matching 2 sides. We also put the thermal stuff inside so it can be used to put hot bowls, etc. on the table. It comes pretty thin, so it is easily foldable.

Just FYI -- maybe for next time.

I like your very lodgy looking backing! Very appropriate for it's new home! ;-) :thumbup:

I make alot of runners and I always use Fairfield traditional batting. I also use that in my placemats

Nice!

Thanks for all the help! I have so many options for next time. I'm scared to death of any quilting except SID and diagonals. I know runners are a great choice to try more than this - the loop de loops mentioned, but ... have to be braver to try it.

This board is so awesome. I got enough affirmation to let me know what I had done was great, but also enough information for next time to expand what I currently know. Awesome! :)

I gave my friend her table runner today. She was delighted! I am SOOO proud of myself because I did not point out the block that is turned the wrong direction on the floral side. :) I doubt she'll ever notice and if she does she'll never say a word. The deer side was as fun for her as the "pretty side". This is fun stuff!