Another wedding project I have in hand is the runners for the reception dinner. When Becca chose long banquet-style tables covered with standard white tablecloths we decided to add runners for color, texture and general interest. I found some lavender open-weave linen that coordinates well with the flowers and other elements and have been working to produce enough runners to cover the projected table set-up. The linen is 56" wide so I can get three 15" runners out of that width. That means that I work in sets of three. The beauty of the open weave is that it makes it easy to measure and mark the cloth by pulling threads. (Thanks to Liz for the suggestion.) I pull a warp (lengthwise) thread along the selvage and then measure in 1 1/2", pull that thread, measure 15", pull that thread, measure another 1 1/2" and so on. 
When all three runners are thus thread-marked with seam allowances and cutting lines I cut them apart and fold on the 1 1/2" marks. That makes the hem allowance. It eliminates all pencil marking and insures that the grain is straight. Also, getting them exactly 15" wide is easier because I am measuring from thread to thread. Consistent width is important because they will be placed end to end in some places.
Another innovation (for me) is the use of my walking foot to machine sew these long (8', 10' and 12') pieces. On the first one, in spite of careful pressing and pinning, I found the fabric bunching enough to make little pleats in my hem allowance. Grr. Then I remembered the walking foot I bought for my elderly Bernina almost twenty years ago when I was trying to make quilts. 
It took a while to find it and get it attached correctly, but now I think I will never take it off. No more bunching!!! 
This is pretty elementary sewing, but I have complained in the past about my trouble keeping my edges neat and my sewing straight. I am hoping this project will sharpen my skills