christmas patchwork table runner {a tutorial}

You know how I was planning on making a small Christmas bunting the other day? No, did not happen :( Time seems to be getting away from me way too fast these days.

I did, however, manage to pull out most of our Christmas decorations and "deck the halls". And, I came across this patchwork table runner I made last year for Ellison Lane Quilts' Deck the Halls. Somehow, I totally forgot to share this tutorial on my blog before, so here it goes now. Enjoy.

Supplies needed:

1/2 yard solid fabric for the top of your runner

Christmas colored scraps of fabric, enough to cut out 56 - 2" squares

1/2 yard fabric for the backing
19" x 45" piece of batting
1/8 yard fabric for the binding

Finished size of the runner is 15 3/4" x 41".

Step 1 - cutting
~ From your solid fabric cut out:
          2- 4.5" x 15 3/4" strips
          1- 2.5" x 15 3/4" strip
          4- 3.5" x 16" strips
          2- 6 3/4" x 13" rectangles

~ You also need to cut out 56- 2" squares from your colored scraps.

Step 2 - assembling a patchwork block 

 Take 28 - 2" squares, and arrange then into 4 rows (2 rows of 8, 2 rows of 6).

Stitch the rows together using a scant 1/4" seam allowance, press the seams.

 Now that all 4 rows of patchwork squares are stitched together, let's assemble the block. Take your
6 3/4"x 13" solid rectangle and arrange your patchwork rows around the solid fabric as shown in the picture. You can play around until you find the way that pleases you the most, I made all my directional prints pointing towards the center.

Start with the longer rows first, pin (I had to use lots of pins since I was working with a very shifty linen),  and stitch in place.

Press the seams, I pressed mine towards the solid fabric. If, however, you're using a white or other light colored fabric for the middle, you might want to press the seams towards the patchwork.

Now attach the shorter rows, using the same technique.

 

Press, and voila!!! One patchwork block is finished.

Step 3 - assembling second patchwork block

Repeat step 2 to make a second patchwork block using remaining 28 - 2" squares and  a 6 3/4" x 13" solid rectangle.

Step 4 - assembling the table runner

Take one 3.5" x 16" strip of solid fabric and attach it to the 16" side of your patchwork block. It's a good idea to use lots of pins to make sure everything lines up nicely.

 Attach the second 3.5" x 16" solid rectangle to the other 16" side of your patchwork block.

This is what your block will look like. Take the other patchwork block and the two remaining 3.5" x 16" strips of solid fabric and attach them together the same way you did with the first block.

Sew the two main patchwork blocks together using the 2.5" x 15 3/4" strip of solid fabric. Once you have your two patchwork blocks joint together, sew the two 4.5" x 15 3/4" rectangles to the sides of the patchwork blocks and your table runner top is all finished. This is what it will look like.

Step 5 - basting and quilting

 Make a quilt sandwich using your table runner top, batting, and backing. Quilt any way you like,  I quilted mine with straight lines about 1/4" apart.

Step 6 - attach the binding on

Cut your binding at 2 1/4" wide, fold in half and bind your table runner the same way you would a quilt.

Step 7 - admire your lovely Christmas table runner

Congratulations, you're done. Now, wasn't that easy? I hope you'll enjoy making your own table runner.

Wishing you all a very lovely day. Svetlana