How to Cut Curved Runners for Stairs

Measure your staircase to find the runner's length. Stand at the bottom of the stairs. Measure from the floor to the top of the first step on the outside end of the staircase. Flatten the tape, and hold it flush against the wall or side of the step.

Smooth the tape measure along the tread of the first step to the edge of the second step. Keep the tape flat and flush against the wall. Continue this process until you reach the top of the stairs. If you run out of tape measure before reaching the top, write down the measurement up to that point, then start at the end of the tape measure again.

Repeat your measurement for accuracy.

Measure the tread width on the top landing and the bottom step. Measure the tread width of the step located in the center of the staircase going up. Typically, they should measure the same distance but each may have a small irregularity depending on construction.

Lay your runner fabric out flat, right side facing down so you don't mark the front of the material. Orient the fabric horizontally so you can shift it over as you work.

Starting an inch or so away from the top left corner, make a mark using seamstress chalk or a pencil. This indicates the bottom outer corner of the runner, since the fabric is facing downward. Measure straight down to the same distance you got for the tread width of the bottom step. Mark that point.

Measure out from the first mark at the top along the runner until you reach the point for the total measurement of the staircase length. Mark that point.

Measure straight down from the point you made in Step 7. Use the measurement for the top step's tread width.

Place your chalk or pencil back on the mark you made in Step 7. Measure to the left, along the runner's length, to the center point between the short ends of the runner. Mark that spot.

Measure straight down from the center point using the distance of the center step's tread width.

Shift the fabric back so you're back to the top, right mark. Draw a ling using a yardstick or straight edge to the center point, then the opposite corner. Shift the fabric as you move, keeping it smooth and flat. Repeat this step with the bottom marks.

Cut your fabric 5/8 inch, 3/4 inch or 1 inch from the outside of your perimeter, depending on how thick you want your seam allowance. Snip the fabric with the scissors, then open them halfway, and glide them along the fabric to keep a smooth edge.