This is the full you tube tutorial link : Halloween Table Runner | Quilting Techniques https://youtu.be/9Xr_lnzfSIw
Cassie Cartmell – Faodail Creation
Table of Contents
Halloween Table Runner projects are a fun way to bring a little spooky personality to your home for the fall season. In this sewing tutorial, I’ll show you how to make a Halloween Table Runner using simple five-inch fabric squares, Halloween prints, orange fabric, quilt batting, and a backing fabric. As a Baby Lock Educator, Cassie Cartmell, I’ll also share some of the simple quilting techniques I use to piece and finish this project.
The finished Halloween Table Runner is reversible, which means you get two different looks from one sewing project. I used Halloween-themed fabrics on the front and a coordinating fabric on the back. If you don’t have enough of one fabric for the backing, you can also get creative by piecing different fabrics together. These simple quilting techniques make it easy to customize your table runner, even if you’re still learning to quilt. Baby Lock Educator Cassie Cartmell demonstrates the process using a Baby Lock sewing machine, but you can use the sewing machine you have at home.
This is a great beginner-friendly quilting project because the construction is straightforward. Once your fabric squares are cut, you’ll piece them into rows, join the rows together, add batting and backing, and then finish everything with stitching around the individual blocks. Along the way, you’ll practice useful quilting techniques, including accurate ¼-inch seams, pressing your seams, layering your quilt, and stitching in the ditch. As Baby Lock Educator Cassie Cartmell, I love sharing approachable sewing and quilting projects that help you build confidence while creating something useful for your home.
You can even personalize your Halloween Table Runner with embroidery, appliqué, or a Cricut-made design. These additions are a great way to experiment with different quilting techniques and make your project completely your own. Whether you’re an experienced quilter or just getting started, this Halloween project is a fun way to practice your skills with guidance from Baby Lock Educator Cassie Cartmell.
What You Need to Make a Halloween Table Runner
Before starting your Table Runner, gather all of your supplies. Having everything ready before you begin will make the sewing process much easier.
Halloween Table Runner Fabric Requirements
Below I have included my Amazon Affiliate Links, if you decide to purchase from one of these links I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
This is my main Amazon Store link https://www.amazon.com/shop/faodailcreation
For this Halloween Table Runner, you will need:
- 45 fabric squares measuring 5½ inches by 5½ inches
- Halloween print fabrics
- Orange or black coordinating fabric
- Quilt batting https://link.amazon/B09noUBsF
- Backing fabric
- Coordinating sewing thread https://link.amazon/B0fBYEq4b
- Sewing machine
- ¼-inch sewing foot
- Iron https://link.amazon/B0aL1bb8e
- ironing mat https://link.amazon/B00358KK1
- Fabric scissors https://link.amazon/B00ROIv3C
- rotary cutter https://link.amazon/B0eCHy4lQ
- Cutting ruler https://link.amazon/B0dQrxsXC
- Sewing pins – https://link.amazon/B024u5cN8
I used a Baby Lock Soprano sewing machine for my Table Runner, but you can make this project on practically any sewing machine that allows you to sew a straight stitch.
For the thread, I recommend choosing black, orange, or another colour that coordinates with your Halloween fabrics.
A Note About the Fabric Squares
The original Table Runner uses 5½-inch squares. You can cut these yourself or purchase pre-cut squares from a quilt shop.
I went through my fabric scraps and pulled out my Halloween fabrics. I alternated the printed Halloween fabrics with orange fabric to create a simple repeating pattern.
You could easily change this colour combination. Black would look fantastic with Halloween prints, or you could use purple, green, white, or another colour that works with your fabric collection.
Table Runner Step 1 – Cut Your Fabric Squares
The first step in making your Halloween Table Runner is preparing your fabric squares.
You will need 45 squares measuring 5½ inches by 5½ inches.
Take your Halloween fabrics and cut the required number of squares. Then cut your coordinating orange, black, or other solid fabrics into the same size squares.
Before sewing, lay all of your squares out on a large surface.
This is particularly helpful because you can see what your finished Table Runner will look like before you sew anything together.
Arrange the Halloween Table Runner Squares
I arranged my squares by alternating the Halloween prints with the orange fabric.
You don’t have to follow the exact arrangement I used. You can create your own design based on the fabrics you have.
If you’re using directional fabric, pay close attention to the direction of the design.
Directional Fabric Tips
Some Halloween fabrics have pumpkins, ghosts, bats, witches, or other designs that have a definite direction.
If your fabric is directional, make sure the design is facing the correct way before you sew your Halloween Table Runner blocks together.
Other fabrics are multi-directional, which makes them much easier to work with because the orientation doesn’t matter.
Halloween Table Runner Step 2 – Pair the Fabric Squares
Now it’s time to start piecing the Table Runner.
Take your first two squares and place them right sides together.
The right side is the pretty or printed side of your fabric.
If you’re using a plain fabric without a visible right and wrong side, you don’t have to worry about which way it faces. However, your Halloween print should have the right side facing the right side of the other fabric.
Line up the edges carefully.
What Does Right Sides Together Mean?
When a sewing pattern tells you to place fabric right sides together, it means the finished sides of the fabric should be facing each other.
The wrong sides of the fabric will be facing outward.
This is a basic sewing technique you’ll use repeatedly when making your Halloween Table Runner.
Halloween Table Runner Step 3: Sew the First Blocks
Attach your ¼-inch sewing foot to your sewing machine.
This foot makes it much easier to maintain an accurate quarter-inch seam allowance.
Sew along the edge of the two fabric squares using a ¼-inch seam allowance.
Once you’ve sewn the first two pieces together, open the fabric and press the seam.
Continue working through your layout, joining the squares together in sections.
Don’t worry if the Table Runner doesn’t look like a table runner yet. At this stage, you’re simply building the individual sections.
Press as You Go
After sewing each section, open the fabric and press it.
Pressing is an important part of quilting because it helps your blocks remain flat and makes it easier to join your rows accurately.
Take a moment to trim away loose threads as you work.
Keeping your project tidy now will make the final steps much easier.
Halloween Table Runner Step 4 – Sew the Rows Together
Once the individual sections of your Halloween Table Runner are sewn together, you’ll begin joining the rows.
Place the rows together and carefully line up the seams.
Sew the rows together using your ¼-inch seam allowance.
Continue joining the rows until the entire pieced top of your Table Runner has been assembled.
Keep Your Seams Flat
Before sewing each row together, check that the seams are lying flat.
Sometimes a seam can become folded underneath the fabric while you’re moving pieces around.
If that happens, stop and press it flat before continuing.
Accurate seams at this stage will help your Halloween Table Runner look neat and professional when it’s finished.
Halloween Table Runner Step 5 – Prepare the Batting and Backing
Now that the top of your Halloween Table Runner is complete, it’s time to prepare the batting and backing.
For my project, I used batting measuring approximately 26 inches wide by 70 inches long.
Cut your backing fabric to exactly the same dimensions as your batting.
The exact finished measurements of your Table Runner may vary depending on your seam allowances and how your fabric is arranged, so it’s always best to measure your completed quilt top before cutting the batting and backing.
Choose a Reversible Backing
One of my favourite things about this Halloween Table Runner is that it is reversible.
You can use a coordinating Halloween fabric on the back, or choose a completely different fabric for another look.
If you don’t have enough fabric to make the backing from one piece, you can piece different fabrics together.
This can actually become a fun design feature.
Add a Personal Touch
If you have extra space on the backing, consider personalizing your Halloween Table Runner.
You could use your Cricut to add a suitable design, or you could embroider a Halloween message, name, date, or decorative design onto the backing fabric.
Halloween Table Runner Step 6 – Layer the Table Runner
Place your batting down first.
Next, place the backing fabric right side up on top of the batting.
Finally, place your pieced Table Runner top right side down.
Your layers should therefore be:
- Batting
- Backing fabric, right side up
- Halloween Table Runner top, right side down
Take your time positioning the layers.
Pin the Halloween Table Runner
I don’t particularly enjoy pinning, but this is one of those projects where pins are definitely helpful.
Pin around the edges of your Halloween Table Runner to prevent the layers from shifting while you sew.
Make sure everything is lying flat before moving to the sewing machine.
Halloween Table Runner Step 7 – Sew Around the Edges
Take your layered Halloween Table Runner to your sewing machine.
Using a ¼-inch seam allowance, sew around the entire outside edge.
However, there is one very important thing to remember.
Do not sew the entire opening closed.
Leave a section open so that you can turn the Table Runner right side out.
A gap of several inches will give you enough room to pull the fabric layers through without making the process unnecessarily difficult.
Why Leave an Opening?
Because we’re using the turn-through method, the Halloween Table Runner is sewn with the finished sides facing inward and then turned right side out.
This gives you a clean finished edge without needing to add separate binding.
Halloween Table Runner Step 8 – Trim and Turn
Once you’ve sewn around the outside edge, carefully remove the pins.
Trim away the excess fabric around the edges, being careful not to cut through your stitching.
Pay particular attention to the corners.
You can carefully trim the excess bulk from the corners so they will turn more neatly.
Now reach through the opening and begin turning the Halloween Table Runner right side out.
Work slowly around the entire runner.
Push Out the Corners
Once the Halloween Table Runner is turned right side out, gently push the corners outward.
You want the corners to be nice and crisp.
Don’t use anything sharp that could accidentally poke through the fabric.
Once you’ve pushed out the corners, give the entire Table Runner a good press with your iron.
Take a little extra time around the opening.
Fold the raw edges neatly toward the inside and press them flat.
Halloween Table Runner Step 9 – Stitch in the Ditch
Now we’re going to secure the layers of the Halloween Table Runner.
This is where stitching in the ditch comes in.
Stitching in the ditch means sewing directly in the seam line between two pieces of fabric, or slightly to one side of the seam.
For this Halloween Table Runner, I recommend stitching in the ditch along the seams between the individual fabric squares.
This helps keep the three layers together.
Why Stitch in the Ditch?
The reason I recommend this extra stitching is because the Halloween Table Runner will eventually be washed.
Without quilting stitches to hold the layers together, the batting can shift or bunch up inside the runner.
By stitching along the seams, you’re helping prevent the layers from moving around.
Stitch Every Panel
Work your way along the seams of the Table Runner, stitching down each panel.
You don’t need to make this complicated.
Simply follow the existing seam lines created when you pieced the squares together.
Continue until you’ve secured all of the panels.
Halloween Table Runner Step 10 – Add the Final Topstitch
The final step is to topstitch around the outside edge of your Halloween Table Runner.
Topstitching gives the edge a neat, finished appearance while also closing the opening that you used to turn the runner right side out.
Sew carefully around the entire outside edge.
Try to keep your stitching an even distance from the edge.
Once you’ve completed the topstitching, trim away any remaining loose threads.
Your Halloween Table Runner is now finished!
Your Finished Halloween Table Runner
And that’s it!
You now have a handmade Halloween Table Runner that is perfect for decorating your dining table, kitchen table, coffee table, or Halloween party table.
I really like that this project is reversible because you essentially get two looks from one sewing project.
You can also change the colours and fabrics to suit your own Halloween decorating style.
If you have lots of Halloween scraps in your sewing room, this is a great project for using them up.
More Ways to Customize Your Halloween Table Runner
There are plenty of ways to make your Table Runner unique.
Try alternating orange and black instead of using only one solid colour.
You could also use different Halloween prints throughout the entire design.
For the backing, consider using a completely different Halloween print.
You could even personalize the backing with embroidery or a Cricut design.
If you make this Halloween Table Runner as a gift, adding someone’s name or a Halloween message would make it even more special.
Final Thoughts on This Halloween Table Runner
This Halloween Table Runner is a fun sewing and quilting project that combines simple patchwork with an easy turn-through finishing technique.
The most important things to remember are to accurately cut your 5½-inch squares, use a consistent ¼-inch seam allowance, press your seams as you work, and leave an opening when sewing around the outside.
The stitching in the ditch is also an important finishing step because it helps keep the batting and backing securely attached to the pieced top.
Once you’ve finished your Table Runner, all that’s left to do is put it on your table and enjoy your handmade Halloween décor.
And because the Halloween Table Runner is reversible, you can simply turn it over whenever you want a different look.
If you enjoyed making this project, don’t forget to check out my other sewing and quilting tutorials. I have more than 400 sewing, quilting, and embroidery tutorials on my YouTube channel, with projects for beginners and experienced makers alike.
Happy sewing, and have a wonderfully spooky Halloween!
Frequently Asked Questions About Making a Halloween Table Runner
How many squares do I need for this Table Runner?
This Halloween Table Runner uses 45 fabric squares measuring 5½ inches by 5½ inches.
Can I use different colours for my Halloween Table Runner?
Absolutely. Orange and black are classic Halloween colours, but purple, green, white, grey, and other coordinating colours can also work beautifully.
Can I make the Halloween Table Runner with scrap fabric?
Yes! A Table Runner is a fantastic way to use up Halloween fabric scraps. Just make sure you have enough fabric to cut the required 5½-inch squares.
Do I have to use a Baby Lock sewing machine?
No. Although I made my Table Runner using a Baby Lock Soprano, you can make this project using almost any sewing machine capable of straight stitching.
Can I wash my finished Halloween Table Runner?
Yes, but always follow the care instructions for the fabrics and batting you use. The stitching in the ditch helps keep the layers of your Halloween Table Runner from shifting during washing.
Watch the Table Runner Sewing Tutorial
If you’d like to see the complete process, watch my video tutorial and sew along with me as I make this Halloween Table Runner from start to finish with Baby Lock Educator Cassie Cartmell.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my channel for more sewing, quilting, appliqué, and embroidery tutorials from Faodail Creation. As Baby Lock Educator Cassie Cartmell, I love sharing creative and empowering stitch projects to help you build your sewing skills.
Read this next : Baby Lock Altair Halloween Coaster Tutorial – Amazing DIY Embroidery Project for Halloween https://faodailcreation.ca/2026/07/21/baby-lock-altair-halloween-coaster-tutorial/
- How to Sew Fabric Napkins Amazing Easy Sewing Tutorial Two Ways
- How to Embroider a Christmas Towel
- Halloween Table Runner – A Fun & Easy Reversible Sewing Tutorial
- Owl Applique Sewing Pattern for Beginners – A Fun & Easy Fall Wall Hanging
- How to Embroider a Key Ring or Luggage Tag – Easy Step-by-Step Tutorial
