Project Idea | Table Runner

Last night I had to break away from the computer and with nowhere but the kitchen and a sink full of dishes to go, I decided to head down to my sewing area. I pulled out the box of Nature Walk scraps and inspiration struck! After doing the Fat Quarterly quiltalong, I needed something a little more freeform and the pieces I pulled pretty much helped me formulate my idea with nice sized blocks of thick and thins in all my favorite shades from this collection.

First I started by lining it all up to get a feel for balance. I tried not to have any two of the same fabrics directly touching one another. I also tried to get the horizontal pieces to run at both the top and bottom in a balanced manner. Keep in mind if you need to make it a specific size to add 1/2" seam allowance to total measurement- will give you 1/4" allowance on all sides.

To assemble:

1. Create 5 "blocks".

2. Sew all 5 blocks together.

3. Lay the top on the backing fabric as a template and cut the backing to the exact size as the top. Do same for the batting.

4. Next lay the top- face up- on the batting and smooth it out nicely. I put a few safety pins on it too to keep it from sliding around too much. Then lay the backing face down on top of the facing side of the top then pin all around the edges.

5. Sew 1/4" along edge, leaving an area of about 6" open in an inconspicuous place- for me it was the back left since a lamp sits on top of it. Trim corners.

6. Turn inside out through opening. Push out corners.

7. Press edges so it all lays flat. Turn under and press the opening, too. Pin all around edges and throughout center - smoothing as you go.

8. Topstitch along edge 1/8" - be sure to catch the seam allowance in the area that was the opening- it should be sealed shut now.

9. Topstitch however you like through the body of the runner- I stitched in the ditch (directly on all the seams). If you do this, be sure to backtack a little at the beginning and ends of your stitches.

10. Press again. Admire work. Display!