This post is written by Josée of The Charming Needle.
This is the first time I’m invited to contribute to Rachael’s blog. I’m glad to meet her readers and I hope you’ll enjoy the project I have to share with you. But first, let me introduce myself.
I come from an engineering background. I’ve always been a crafty person. My mom loves exploring different medium and she transmitted this to me and my sister. I think this is a great combination for quilting and sewing in general. As they require both some logic and creativity. I started sewing when I got my first apartment, mainly doing home decor projects. I would say I got into sewing and quilting more seriously after becoming a mom, about 5 years ago. As I wanted to make projects for my little ones, I discovered modern prints as well as an amazing online quilting community. I love creating and designing projects of my own. For me, quilting and patchwork projects are a great way to express my creativity. I have published several projects in different magazines, and I’m the co-founder and current vice-president of the Montreal Modern Quilt Guild.
If you want to learn more about my projects and patterns visit me at my blog The Charming Needle.
I love working with solid color fabrics and playing with color values to create different design elements in my projects. Today, I’m proposing you a table runner featuring a weave pattern. I’ve used narrowed fabric strips in two color values to reproduce the weave texture of a basket. This is the central element of the table runner.
For you, I’ve wrote a tutorial explaining how to assemble this table runner. So, let’s start right away with the fabric requirements.
Fabric Requirements
The finished size of this table runner is 11 1/2″ x 23 1/2″.
Background fabric: 1/4 yard
Lighter green fabric: 5 1/2″ x 30″ piece or 1/4 yard
Darker green fabric: 1 1/2″ x 27″ piece or 1/8 yard
Batting: 15″ x 27″ piece
Backing: 18″ x 30″ piece or 1/2 yard
Binding: 1/6 yard (based on 2 1/2″-wide cut strips)
About the fabrics: The solid fabrics for the weave pattern and the binding are all Kona cottons from Robert Kaufman in the following colors: Lime, Cactus and Medium Gray. The print I’ve used for the background fabric is Painter’s Canvas in Slate by Laura Gunn for Michael Miller Fabrics. I could have used a dark gray solid color fabric, but I love the texture of the Painter’s Canvas. I’ve pieced the backing using two fabrics: the Lime solid color fabric combined with Oval Elements in Green Apple by Art Gallery Fabrics.
Cutting Instructions
Here is what you will need to cut from the different fabrics to make the front panel.
From the lighter green solid, cut:
1 rectangle, 5 1/2″ x 22 1/2″
1 rectangle, 5 1/2″ X 3″
2 rectangles, 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″
From the darker green solid, cut:
1 strip, 1 1/2″ x 22 1/2″
1 strip, 1 1/2″ x 4 1/2″
From the grey background fabric, cut:
2 rectangles, 3 1/2″ x 23 1/2″
You will also need to cut (2) 2 1/2″ x width of fabric (WOF) strips from the binding fabric (I’ve used 2 1/4″ strips, but this is a personal preference).
Make the Weave Strips
Sew the 1 1/2″ x 22 1/2″ darker green strip to the 5 1/2″ x 22 1/2″ lighter green rectangle (long edges together). Press the seam allowance toward the darker fabric.
Subcut the assembled unit in (3) 7 1/2″ sections.
Place them one next to each other with the darker green strips on the right side of each unit. Assemble together and press the seam allowances toward the darker strips.
Slice the assembled piece into two pieces: one of 4 1/2″ in height, the second of 3″.
For the 4 1/2″ piece, sew a 4 1/2″ x 1 1/2″ darker green strip and a 4 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ lighter green rectangle to the left of the unit. Sew a 4 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ lighter green rectangle to the right of the unit.
For the 3″ piece, sew a 3″ x 5 1/2″ lighter green rectangle to the right of the unit. Press the seam allowances towards the darker green strips.
Slice each assembled pieces in 1 1/2″ strips. You’ll get 3 strips from the 4 1/2″ piece and 2 strips from the 3″ piece. This will make your weave stripes.
Assemble the Table Runner
Lay out your table runner pieces by alternating the different weave strips. Place one of the 3 1/2″ x 23 1/2″ background rectangles at the top of them, and the other one at the bottom.
Assemble all rows together and press the seam allowances toward the exterior. Here is the assembled top panel seen from the back.
Finish the Table Runner
Layer the quilt top, batting and backing and baste the layers together using your favorite method. Quilt as desired. I opted for some free-motion quilting that would accentuate the weave pattern and repeated the same quilting pattern for the background area.
Trim the batting and backing to match the table runner top. Join the 2 1/2″ x WOF binding strips and bind the edges of the table runner using mitered corners. I won’t go into the details of binding your project as there is plenty of resources online on the subject.
You have completed your table runner! Place it on your table for you and your family to enjoy. I gave mine to my mother for her newly renovated kitchen!
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