Valentine Table Runner Tutorial

I've been making Valentine Table Runner's for my daughters, and I thought I'd do a tutorial to show you how quickly they come together.
Any gift I can make in 1/2 hour goes to the top of my list.
My thanks to Kathy Smith for showing me these step by steps.

The table runners work up beautiful in any holiday fabric. I made several as neighbor gifts at Christmas time.

Materials needed:
1/2 yard of backing/ border fabric (18 inches X *WOF)
1/3 yard front focus fabric (12 inches X *WOF)
2 tassels (optional)
(*width of fabric)

It's OK to leave selvages on. Don't worry if your WOF's don't match up.
First, along the long edge, match the two fabrics right sides together and sew 1/4" seams.

Next, match the other side of the long edges together and sew. This creates a tube, and you can see the backing fabric come to the front by a few inches.
Press seams.

Turn right sides out.
Lay the table runner out with the edge fabric matching EXACTLY even on both sides. This is a very important step. I use my tape measure to make sure each side is EXACTLY even.
Press.

Stitch in the ditch between the border fabric and the inner focus fabric.

Trim the short ends evenly on both sides. This is where you cut off any extra selvages or unmatched edges.

Fold the short ends in half, right sides together.
Match the inside seams with a pin. If you've measured your edge piece evenly, this area should match up well at the seam line and on the end.

On each short side, stitch 1/4th inch seam all the way to the end.

*The tassels will be added later.

This brings your ends to a point as you move the seam to the middle of the runner. Press seam open.

Turn right sides out.

This is the back of the runner. I use a chop stick to poke out a nice crisp point.

Press.

Notice how the seams match evenly at both the seam line and the end.

Stitch the newly folded edges down.

I actually stitch in the ditch from the front, but wanted to show you on the back how you only need to tack down a few inches.

Pre-made tassels can be found in most home dec departments.

These are optional, but I think they really add to the runner.

Unpick a few stitches at the point seam.

Place the tassel on the inside, laying the loops as close to the point as possible.
I like to use a small crochet hook to reach down and locate the loops, and pull them tightly up.

Hand stitch the seam closed, securely attaching the tassel loops.

The base of the tassel should lay close to the point.

Give the runner a good pressing.

You are done!

We placed Amy's runner on the hallway table.

Remembering happy times...

..and baby love.