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Thursday, July 26, 2012

Christmas Table Runner and Tutorial

So, I must be thinking Christmas for more than just the blog hop that's coming up. (My day is August 4th, so stop back to see what I've put together for that!) My husband's aunt Sue's birthday was today (she also happens to be my boss) so I put together a table runner for her. I used some fabric from the stash that my mom brought me, she gave me a fat quarter bundle from Nancy's Notions in some great Christmas prints. I threw in some dark green from the stash that Aunt Sue gave me and I had the perfect amount of fabric for this table runner.

I found a picture of this pattern on Google Images by searching for "table runners." You can find the link to the picture here. The post didn't come with a pattern, so I tried making one up.


Here's the runner that I'll be using in the tutorial when I talk about fabric colors and pieces. The colors I use are red, green, brown and white. I've re-written this to hopefully make it more user friendly. If you notice any mistakes or have questions, please feel free to email or comment. I'm not always perfect, but I am always happy to help!

Anyway, here's the tutorial...

Ingredients:
* 4 coordinating fabrics (a quarter yard is plenty for the white, red and green fabrics, but it's cutting it really close for the brown - I'd suggest getting 1/3 yard for the brown pattern pieces to be safe)
* batting
* fabric for the back
* binding strips (mine was cut to be 2.25 inches wide, strips sewn together on the diagonal, and pressed in half)

Directions: (final size 14 inches wide by 58 inches long)
Cut the following pieces from coordinating fabrics:
    From the red fabric cut:
    * Five 6.5 inch squares
    * Two 3.5 inch squares

    From the brown fabric cut:
    * Twelve 3.5 inch squares
    * Two 5.5 inch by 2.5 inch rectangles
    * Two 3.5 inch by 2.5 inch rectangles
    * Three 6.5 inch square - cut these in half on the diagonal to make 6 triangles
    * Six 5.5 inch by 1.5 inch rectangles

    From the white fabric cut:
    * Twelve 5.5 inch by 2.5 inch rectangles from white fabric
    * Twelve 3.5 inch by 2.5 inch rectangles from white fabric

    From the green fabric cut:
    * Two 6.5 inch squares - cut these in half on the diagonal to make 4 triangles
    * Four 5.5 inch by 1.5 inch rectangles

Sew the 3.5 inch by 2.5 inch brown rectangle cuts to 3.5 inch red squares. Then sew the 5.5 by 2.5 inch rectangle to the side of the piece you previously formed. You'll form blocks like shown in the pictures below.



Do the same thing with the 3.5 inch squares from the brown print and the small white rectangles. Press seams toward the darker fabric.


Sew each 5.5 by 1.5 brown rectangle to the top of one of the white and brown units you just created. Also sew each green 5.5 by 1.5 rectangle to the top of one of the white units. You will have two white and brown units left over with no top piece. These are used in the end rows.


Lay out the pieces so you know everything is pointing in the right direction.


Here are some pictures for a closer look at the rows:

Rows 1 and 2:

Rows 3 and 4:

Rows 5, 6 and 7:

Here's a link to a PDF that I created for the layout of the table runner. This should allow you to see the blocks/colors used in each row better than the pictures I was able to take as I was sewing. This PDF shows the table runner put together BEFORE trimming off the end pieces. So if it looks a little funny, that's how it should look! :) Christmas Table Runner Layout

Sew the pieces together into the rows as shown. You'll notice on the first and last rows that the triangle on the end is longer than the other pieces. This is OK! You'll be snipping off the excess at the end. You'll want to pin it like this:
See that the right angle of the triangle matches up with the corner of the first block you are sewing it to. You'll have the point sticking out at the top.

For the other end triangles in the middle rows you'll pin like this:
The right angle matches up with the corner and then the point will line up with the long edge of the block.

Press each strip's seams in an alternating pattern. Press the first strip's seams to the right, the second strip's seams to the left, the third strip's seams to the right, so on and so forth. This will make it easier for your blocks and points to match up when you sew the strips together.

Sew the strips together. This is a little goofy since the rows are diagonal. What you want to do is nest the seams of the red fabric pieces, like this:

First and second rows ready to pin together:

Here I have the rows slightly apart so you can see where the pieces match up. The red block will be the only matching seam on most of your rows (the first and last rows will have a couple more seams that match). This is what gives it the zig-zag effect when it's all done - all of those un-matching seams. Once you see one, you'll get the hang of it. Like you did when sewing the blocks into rows, you'll pin the end triangle right to the tip of the row it's joining. So, start pinning from the red blocks in the middle and work your way out to both ends. Then sew them together.

And here are the first two rows sewn together:

Continue until you have all of the rows sewn together. Press the seams flat however you choose to do it. I usually just press the whole thing in one direction, but if you like to press open, go for it!

Trimming up is the last thing to do now! You surely noticed that extra bit on the first and last rows:

And you also probably have some little corners sticking out along the sides from the triangle pieces: (similar to ones you get when you have to trim up half-square triangles)

Well, now we get to make it look all pretty! Take a ruler and chop off the tip of that triangle on the first and last rows. This is going to make it look just like the other side of the runner so it is balanced.


You'll do the same thing with any little corners you have sticking out on the sides. How you pressed your seams will determine how many of those little corner things you have to trim off. Just trim them flush with the side of your runner.


Layer over back fabric and batting, baste, and quilt as desired. Trim the edges and add the binding in your preferred method (I typically machine stitch it to the front and hand stitch it to the back). And now you're done!

Here are just a couple fun cat pictures to round out the post. This is my cat Sasha who has had a few shout outs in some of my other posts. She is always curious with what I'm putting together and has to be in the same room with me - always. So, here she is relaxing on my lap while I'm hand stitching the binding on the runner, and the other picture is a shot of her in her favorite place to hang out while I'm stitching on the machine. Sometimes it amazes me that I get anything done with her always underfoot! :) Happy crafting everyone.




July Finishes

46 comments:

  1. I love this! Thanks for the tutorial. I'll add this to my to-do list :)

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  2. Thank you Karen..I have filed this away under the heading: "Great Gift Ideas: Runner." I like the way you rolled it with a ribbon..great touch.

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  3. What a great tablerunner, and thanks for the tute! That tablerunner is a super idea for a gift. And I love your little kitty helper pics :-)

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  4. Love the table runner & great tute! Sharing you on my FB wall!
    https://www.facebook.com/www.FabricsNQuilts/posts/169565596511314

    Have a great weekend!
    Shannon

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  5. Love this and looking forward to creating one for me and a couple to give away! THANKS!

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  6. What a great gift! Love the tutorial, thanks!

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  7. fabulous work on that table runner!! The pattern is great!

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  8. That's a beautiful table runner - thanks for posting the tutorials!! Whoop whoop!!

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  9. We just bought a new table a few months ago and I've been trying to find a table runner that I love. I'm totally going to use this pattern and make one! Thanks for the tutorial :) New follower! Yay for being blog friends!

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  10. That is so pretty! I love the fabrics you used and the design is awesome! Congrats on a really great finish! I'm bookmarking this for later (I like to give table runners as "white elephant" Christmas gifts. They are fast, fun and usually well received! I have the perfect fabrics for this!). Thanks for linking up!

    xo -E

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  11. Muito bonito , obrigado por compartilhar!!!!
    liége

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  12. Ooooh, love, love this! Thanks for sharing! Your fabrics you chose are simply lovely!

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  13. Thanks for the tutorial! I already have the fabrics in mind for this runner. How did you quilt this?

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    1. I used my walking foot to stitch in the ditch of all of the pieces. I think it would be really pretty though if you did some free motion quilting on it - especially in the larger squares.

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  14. Did a search on Pinterest to find a Christmas tablerunner to make for my daughters for Christmas and found your tutorial. Thank you so much! I've become a follower and look forward to catching up on your past posts! (((Hugs)))

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  15. Hola muy lindo trabajo y muchas gracias por el tutorial!!! Besos.

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  16. Lovely table topper. Seatte gets lots more rain than we get in Portand.

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  17. Am a beginner but do think I could do this.. doesnt look real hard.. Thanks for sharing

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  18. Are the measurements wrong? The large squares when using a 1/4 inch seam come down to 6inches but the squares that attach to the sides of them are 3 1/2 inches square and 2 1/2 inch rectangles which come down to 5 inches. There's a while inch missing there so the squares don't line up

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    Replies
    1. Hi Melissa! Thanks for the comment. I just did another test of this pattern and things worked out for me. I'm going to update the post so it's not so confusing. When I rewrote the tutorial I think things got lost in the shuffle, so I'm going to upload pictures with the new runner I just made with clearer colors and instructions. I did use the same measurements for the pieces I just sewed together. I'm not sure which place you're having difficulty. I would email you the pictures right now but you're a no-reply blogger. If you email me directly I can try to help you wherever you're at with the runner. Hopefully you get this message and I'll be updating the post tonight.

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  19. Lol don't know what I've done then. The 6x6 squares didn't match up,they were an inch bigger, than the rows that I had to sew next to them, sorry I'm terrible at describing things lol. I just cut the 6x6 squares down to 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 and omitted the narrow strips that you have sewn next to the triangles and it came out fine.

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    Replies
    1. Please note that only ONE seam in each row matches with the row below it, the other seams are staggered

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  20. Thank you! I hope to make one also but in Christmas blue fabrics.

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  21. Hi Karen! Awesome Table Runner and tutorials. Infact I followed your tutorials and made one, quite similar to yours. I finished it with meandering FMQ. Thank you for the tutorials, by the way, I'm from India and have been quilting since a year and half.....

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  22. Hi Karen, Thank you for an awesome tutorials, made one the moment I saw this....I'm from India and have been quilting since a year and half...

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  23. Love the patterns for the table runner, I'd go for something with red and green coz that's my favorite colors, plus gree suggests natural theme which i really want for my Christmas table decorations. Thanks for sharing these patterns.

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  24. Hi there! Table runner looks great. Just wondering if a non-quilter, part-time basic sewer would manage this? I keep coming back to this one and I would love to try it. Also are the measurements still working out ok? Happy New year!!

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  25. Hi There! I am just wondering if a non-quilter, basic sewer would manage this tutorial? I have some really lovely fabric and would love to try this table runner? Also are the measurements still working out ok? Happy New Year!

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    1. Hi! The measurements are good. I have made this runner 3 times now with these measurements. I would think this runner is easy enough for a non-quilter to do, but only you will know your level of sewing knowledge and skill. It would help to have a sewing friend to help you or to be there for questions if you get stuck.

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  26. Thank you very much for the great tutorial - can't wait to get started.

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  27. Do you offer this as a PDF?

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    1. Hi! Unfortunately, I do not have it as a PDF, just the tutorial on the blog.

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  28. Thankyou I will make this in Xmas colors

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  29. Great job - thank you for taking the time to create and share this pattern. I just love it & can't wait to get started!!!

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  30. Thank you so much for sharing this!! I sent the link to my daughter who is just beginning, and this is such a great tutorial for her to get started!

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  31. I am looking forward to making this. It is so beautiful!

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  32. Thanks so much-I hope to make this with some of my blues in Xmas patterns!!

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  33. Hi Karen.....Love This Tablerunner ..I sat down and whipped one up..I was reading some of the comments ..an I too bad about 1\4 in. Extra on my Large Squares...but I just lined up the other squares...Still came out great... When I get it quilted I would live to show you ...I am sending this one to my youngest Son...But I just might be making a few More..thank you for sharing...

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  34. Just found your tutorial and love the table runner. Thanks for the instructions and the idea. Can't wait to make one.

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  35. Thank you for sharing your tutorial! It's very good.

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  36. Hi Karen -- never too late to start Christmas projects!!! What are the overall dimensions of this table runner? Looks like it hangs over the end of your table.

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    1. It is 14 inches wide by 58 inches long. My table is just a little 4 person table with no extra leaves. So that's why it hangs over the edge a bit. :)

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  37. Love this.Very pretty.Made it smaller(used only 3 large squares ) and is 40" long.Also used just 3 colours in traditional Christmas colours.Thank you for the great tutorial.July 2016

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