This easy, quick holiday runner will set the mood for the festivities ahead. Even a beginner at sewing can make this little runner for the coffee table or mantle.

All you need are 24 2" squares of bright holiday fabric and 24 2" squares of light holiday fabric for contrast. The border fabric is 4" strips of dark fabric. Top and bottom are 25" long.

Sides are 6" long. Backing fabric will be cut to size when top is completed.

Sew the 2" squares together checkerboard fashion--4 rows each with 12 squares. Sew the 4 rows together. Now cut your 4" wide side borders and sew to short edges. Cut 4" top and bottom borders and sew to long edges. Press seam allowances toward borders. Cut backing fabric and batting same size as top. Layer top (right side up) backing (right side down) and batting.

Sew around all four sides leaving about 6" open towards the middle for turning. Turn right side out, pushing corners out gently. Hand sew opening closed with matching thread.

Machine stitch around center squares and inner border edges. There you go, you did it! A great little runner for the holidays. Enjoy!

This article was written by Mary Wilkins. She is the owner/editor of http://sew-whats-new.com and mother to 3 grown children.