How to Make an Outdoor Table Runner

X-HT-300027

Add a splash of color to your outdoor dining table with a DIY table runner. We made this lively, two-tone runner as part of our Outdoor Dining Area Makeover to make our table extra special. For this project, since we knew the runner would primarily be outside, we added weights to the ends to help keep the runner in place, even on a breezy day. We also made our runner from cleanable, outdoor-friendly Sunbrella® fabric. Today we’re going to break down the steps so you can make a runner for your patio’s dining table. The steps are the same for making a runner for inside your home, too. Let’s take a look at how it’s done!
Materials List:
  • Decorative Outdoor Fabric 
  • Coordinating Fabric 
  • Outdoor Thread
  • Sewing Machine Needles
  • Hand-Sewing Needles
Tools List:
  • Cutting Tool
  • Drapery Weights 
  • Sewing Machine
How to Make an Outdoor Table Runner 3

How to Make an Outdoor Table Runner

1. Measure your table and determine the desired length and width of your runner.

2. Mark your patterned fabric to your desired length and the width to your desired finished width plus 1". Pattern the solid fabric to the same length and a width of the finished width plus 3". Cut out your panels.

How to Make an Outdoor Table Runner 4

3. With the right sides facing, lay your fabric panels so that one long edge of the patterned fabric is flush with one long edge of the solid fabric. Sew a row of straight stitches down the side, about 1/2" away from the raw edge.

How to Make an Outdoor Table Runner 5

4. Line up the opposite long edges of the fabric panels so they are flush and sew a row of stitches down that side as well.

How to Make an Outdoor Table Runner 6

5. Turn the assembly right side out. Lay out the assembly so that the patterned fabric panel is centered with a solid border on either side.

How to Make an Outdoor Table Runner 7

6. Carefully topstitch where the solid border meets the patterned fabric along both long sides of the runner.

How to Make an Outdoor Table Runner 8

7. Create a 1/2" hem at each short end of the runner.

How to Make an Outdoor Table Runner 9

8. Fold in the corners of the short ends to create a triangle. Sew a row of stitches across the bottom of the triangle to secure.

How to Make an Outdoor Table Runner 10

9. Hand sew a drapery weight into the tip of each triangle.

How to Make an Outdoor Table Runner 11

10. Enjoy your new table runner!

If you want to start with a simpler table runner design, check out our "How to Make a Table Runner" tutorial.

Would you put a table runner on your outdoor table? What do you think of weighing it down? Share your thoughts in the comments!