Practice new line designs on a stripy table runner! When you’re learning something new, start small and simple. This easy-to-piece stripy table runner creates an ideal canvas to practice new line designs. The easier something is to piece, the more adventurous you’ll be when it comes to the quilting. The strips are simple to cut and piece. Best of all, when it comes to the quilting, the strips give a designated space to work in.
Strippy Table Runner Recipe:
Choose some fun fabric. I’ve gone for these pretty florals from Meriwether by Amy Gibson for Windham Fabrics. Then added some complimentary fabrics from my stash.
Cut them into strips of varied widths and sew together. I think that the varied widths add some interest to the project. When it comes to the quilting, you’ll get to play with different sized line designs.
Make two (or more). It’s just as easy to make multiple runners and quilt them side by side at the same time.
Join them together with some sashing strips. The sashing strips, besides separating the table runners from each other, will give a space to sort tension problems out and practice line designs. Starting and stopping in the side sashing keeps the thread tails out of your actual project. When you’ve finished the quilting and taken the project off the frame, you’ll slice off the sashing with a rotary cutter.
Here, I’m joining 2 pieces of fleece together by butting the two edges together and using a zig zag stitch. This kind of join won’t add any extra thickness so it’s just right for the backing. If you use a matching thread colour you won’t notice the join, especially after it’s been quilted.
Choose your top and bobbin threads. For this particular table runner, I wanted the fabric to do the talking so I’ve gone for a Baby Pink #7014 from the new MicroQuilter range of Superior Threads. This very fine 100-weight thread will blend into the top and create lovely texture without drawing too much attention to itself. I’ve paired the MicroQuilter top thread with a silver Bottom Line pre-wound bobbin.
I’ve chosen this very fine MicroQuilter thread to blend in so any mistakes won’t be too noticeable. I’m just creating some fun texture here. The line designs started out really simple, like wavy lines, circles and loops. Then as I got bolder I tried swirls, wishbones, hearts and flowers. The texture shows up best on the fleecy back. By choosing a bobbin thread that matches the fleece, the thread disappears and all you see are the fun line designs.
This strippy table runner is a fast and fun project that makes a great gift. I’m glad I made two!