How to Pick Fabric for a Quilted Table Runner

Making a quilted table runner can be a fun and rewarding project. However, picking just the right fabrics for it can be overwhelming. Fabric stores are lined with hundreds of choices, so knowing some basic guidelines will help you pick the best fabric for your quilted table runner.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Look for good quality fabric. It will be tightly woven, smooth, not see-through, and the printing will be clear. Cheap, low-quality fabrics will not withstand normal use and washing, so it's best to buy fabric that will last in the long-run.

2. Find a piece of fabric that really speaks to you. Try something interesting, fun, or just a personal favorite. You'll build your color scheme around this fabric.

3. Study your quilt pattern and see how many pieces you'll need and what size each piece will need be.

4. Pull out different colors in the pattern of your first piece of fabric. Then, try to find other fabrics that complement those colors. A variety of scale in the pattern size, (small, medium and large), as well as a variety of value in the color hue (light, medium, dark) will offer contrast and interest to your quilted table runner.

5. Purchase your fabric, cut out your piece and begin making your quilted table runner.

Tips & Warnings

• Learn how to use a color wheel. This will really allow you to find colors, values, saturations and intensities that complement each other well in a quilt setting.
• Don't be afraid of unusual color, pattern or size combination. The unexpected can add a certain liveliness to your project.