Make a quilted bed runner

Bed runners have become very popular.  Some say they got their start in the hotel industry.  A bed runner will set your bed off especially if you use matching pillows.  Bed runners come in many types of material and designs.  Quilted bed runners are beautiful and some of them are true works of art.

Bed runners are usually 18 to 24 inches wide.  Your runner should be 24 to 30 inches longer than the mattress is wide.  This will give you 12 to 15 inches on each side to hang down.

You can put a design on plain material and embroidery it for your bed runner.  You can also use printed material for your bed runner.  You can also make a patchwork bed runner.  If you decide to make a block bed runner you have several options.  You can appliqué designs on your blocks.  You can also embroidery designs on your blocks.  You can use solid color bocks and printed blocks.

Usually bed runners go over your sheets.  Pick colors that will go with your bedroom décor.  Bed runners are also intended to keep your feet warm besides looking great.

When you chose the material for your bed runner you need to choose a material that will fall over the edges of your mattress and lay flat.  A quilted bed runner will be beautiful on your bed.  Choose a material and designs that will complement the rest of your bedroom.  It takes a lot of time and work to make a quilted bed runner so take your time and decide on something that you will be happy with for a long time.  Now lets get started making your quilted bed runner.

Measure Mattress

The first thing you must do is measure the width of your mattress.  You will add 24 to 30 inches to the width so your bed runner will hang 12 to 15 inches on each side.  You decide which will look best.  Bed runners are usually 18 to 24 inches wide.  Pick a width that looks best with the size of your mattress.

Preparing the Material

You will need to get your material ready to make your bed runner.  Some people prefer to wash their material first.  You will need to iron your material.  Iron the material you are using for the top and the back.  Make sure it is smooth with no wrinkles.

Cutting Material

Measure and mark your material with tailors chalk.  Cut 1 inch from the line you have marked so you will have room to stitch you bed runner.

Putting Bed Runner Together

Put the top on a smooth large surface face down.  Now put your batting on top.  Lay your bed runner backing on top of the batting.  Use safety pins to attach everything together. 

Quilt Your Bed Runner

There are many sewing machines that you can use for quilting.  Quilting is an art that can be fun.  If this will be your first time quilting use one of the patterns for beginners.  There are many of them to choose from and they are all beautiful.  You can check out www.Free-Quilting.com for free quilting patterns.

Take your time making your quilted bed runner.  Decide exactly what you want the finished bed runner to look like.  After you have decided what you want you will be ready to get started.

Article sources:

http://www.madprogress.com/cheap-mattress-sets/

http://www.bargelloquiltpatterns.com/runner-quilt-top/

http://www.bedthrows.org/bed-runner/