Table runner length with people sitting at ends of table?? Confused!

8 years ago

My table is 96"x48", and I have two 12" extensions making it potentially 120" long. For Thanksgiving l plan to use the extensions. I'm going to make a table runner for holidays, but wondering how long to make it if I will have people sitting on the ends? The main purpose of the runner is to protect the wood from heat of serving dishes set in the middle, as well as for decorative. I don't want to do a tablecloth because I love my table and don't want to cover it up. So, with people sitting at either end, do I want the runner to hang down in their laps?? Or, do I make it shorter than the table, and if so, how much shorter? Help!

If I make it 108" then it would overhang the "correct" amount when my table is at its usual length and doesn't need anyone sitting at the ends. That would make it 6" shy of either end when extended. But then it would be partially underneath the placemats on the ends when the table is extended, which seems weird. It doesn't have to be usable at both sizes, but it would be nice to be able to use it to protect the table during everyday meals too (we don't always serve meals "family style" but I like the idea of being able to use the runner for this purpose.)

Ideas? Thoughts?

Featured Answer

Bluebell66

8 years ago

There are some really easy, but very pretty, patterns out there for quilted table runners. If you even sew a tiny bit you can make one especially with a friend's assistance. That is how I got started quilting - I made coasters, placemats and table runners. They are completely manageable projects that don't take tons of skill and experience to make something nice.

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Comments (10)

ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
8 years ago
I would make the runner long enough so that it looks correct for the size of the table you normally us. I don't think it will look all their weird if the runner is partially under the place mats, or you could just fold the ends under so that the runner ends short of the place mats. People will be concentrating on the food and the conversation anyway. This is not a life or death issue, just relax about it.
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mshutterbug thanked ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
blfenton
8 years ago
I guess it depends on how thick the fabric is that you're using. I wouldn't want a runner under my place mat if it is going to make my plate uneven - sort of like a wobbly table, which you don't want.
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mshutterbug thanked blfenton
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mshutterbug
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Thanks! LOL! I'm not stressed... just confused. And I overthink everything, so I'm easily confused :D blfenton - that's exactly what I was thinking... since I want it to be insulated to protect the table from heat, it will be a thicker fabric, and I'm thinking it might make the plate wobbly. We are usually paper-plate-casual-chaos for our holiday dinners, but I want to make it nice this year! I've seen lots of pictures where it's just in the center of the table. I was originally thinking I wanted something more elegant, but I think maybe I'll just make it 60" long...then there's room for placemats at the ends of the table when it's extended as well as when it's the usual size. Waddya think?
Bluebell66
8 years ago
I think that plan sounds good! Are you making a quilted runner, like what is in your photos?
mshutterbug
Original Author
8 years ago
Bluebell - thanks!! I may try quilted on one side. I found a tutorial online for a reversible option and I have a friend who is going to help. She knows what she's doing...but I don't, so we shall see lol!!
OutsidePlaying
8 years ago
My table is big too and some of my runners are pretty long and some are shorter. DH and I usually sit at the ends when we have guests, so I just let it hang where it may and deal with it. Maybe that sounds bad, but really it doesn't matter. I seldom use my runners actually during a meal because I put the table pads and a cloth on the table with a centerpiece and other serving items. No room for wine glasses, water glasses and other things without a disaster due to the uneven-ness in height of a runner in the way.
LynnNM
8 years ago
Our dining room table is 9 1/2 feet long and I never use any runner longer than 5 feet on it. Like others here, I don't like to have it hanging in the laps of my guests, although during our dinner parties, it's my husband and I who sit at each end. I also don't like putting a placemat over a runner.
mshutterbug
Original Author
8 years ago
Goo point... I was going to make it 15" wide, but maybe I'll make it narrower to make it less likely that glasses will get set partially on it. Hmmm...but then there's the question of how to protect my table from the glasses. Usually I just put down a folded paper towel cause I'm classy like that ;) we just don't entertain. Now I'm realizing why lol!
mshutterbug
Original Author
8 years ago
Goo point, aka good point lol.
And I just realized the glasses will be on placemats (hopefully!) but maybe I should still make the runner narrower than 15".
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Table runner length with people sitting at ends of table?? Confused!

Bluebell66

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ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9

blfenton

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Table runner length with people sitting at ends of table?? Confused!

Bluebell66

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ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9

blfenton

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