Quilting is one of those excellent, therapeutic hobbies. Once you get into this particular textile art, you probably will continue it for a lifetime. There are a plethora of books which plot out standard and traditional quilt designs, and many others which are more free-form. You can combine pieces, integrating collage, applique and embroidery techniques, not to mention others. If you are the creative and daring type, there are also some quite complex and intricate projects you can stir up in your mind and translate onto fabric.

However, there is a learning curve to this versatile textile art. Before you try to get buck wild, start small and simple. If you have never quilted, or are just learning the basics, quilted table runners are perfect for a beginner project. It is relatively small and therefore easily handled, and you may take it with you almost anywhere you go, whether to the park, or office to work on at odd moments, and you gain immediate gratification with a finished piece that you can show off in your home, or give as an excellent gift.

To start off, measure the width and length of the table for which you desire to make a quilted table runner. You can use a dining table, a dresser or a coffee table. One great rule of thumb on size is to make the finished quilted table runner between a quarter and one fifth the width of the table in question. As for length, add about six to eight inches of overhang for a most elegant look.

You can find lots of patterns for quilted table runners on the internet, which are a terrific choice for your first project. You can also buy kits, which include all the essential materials and pattern pieces, which in turn saves you the trouble and worry of matching cumbersome fabric weights and making precision cuts of each piece. All you need to do is match up the pieces according to the design and sew away!

Alternatively, if you would like to create your own custom quilted table runner design, you can do that too. It is important to try to keep your design fairly simple. A plain brown paper grocery bag makes a great pattern maker. Allow for 1-inch seams on each side of your pieces.

Choose your color scheme in line with to the furnishings for that room. Choose fabrics of the same approximate weight. If you choose to go with cotton, choose all cotton fabrics. Don not, under any circumstances, mix polyesters with cottons, as this will require that you pre-wash everything and the two fabrics will behave differently after repeated washing.

Whether you choose to buy or make a quilted table runner pattern, you should think about taking a quilting class. These are fun forums for meeting other quilting experts and you will undoubtedly learn quite a bit more than you would on your own. As your skills become more advanced, you can strike out on your own and do your own thing, adding your personal touch to your projects. You might decide to continue your classes solely for the friendships you formed. Pretty soon, you will be mentoring someone else on how to make an exquisite quilted table runner.