Wanna make this?

Thought so.

Quick and easy, this table runner would be a perfect first project for a new quilter, and makes a sweet and charming (if I do say so myself) gift for someone on your list. I made mine in a little over 4 hours, and that includes some pretty dense machine quilting. Yours can be done even faster, I bet.

Let’s get going!

You’ll need:

1 pack (36+) 5″ squares (charm pack)

3/4 yard white solid

1-1/6 yard backing fabric OR

1-5/8 yard backing fabric**

**Here’s the deal. It’s more economical to make two of these at a time, because it works out perfectly to cut the right length yardage right down the middle to make 2 runners. If you absolutely only want to make one, you’ll have quite a bit of leftover backing fabric. SO. Buy the 1-1/6 backing if you only want one runner and know you’ll have extra. Buy 1-5/8  yards if you’d like to make 2, and you won’t have any leftovers. Keep in mind, all other measurements are for a single table runner, so if you do decide to buy two, of course get two of everything else.

24 x 58 batting

Here we go!

Step 1:

Start by cutting (7) 2½ strips from your white solid. Cut the strips from the width of your fabric (WoF). (3) of the strips will be used for your “quilt top”. The remaining strips will be used to bind your table runner. Set those four aside. (Sorry about the pictures, it was dark.)

Step 2:

Lay out 36 of your charm squares in 3 rows of 12.  Using a 1/4″ seam allowance, sew the squares together in lengthwise strips by putting the right sides together and sewing down one side. Press your seams all the same direction, either all to the right or all to the left.

Step 3:

Sew together your 3 white strips lengthwise, and then cut (2) 54½” pieces. Press seams one direction.

Step 4:

Put the “quilt top” together by pinning 2 adjacent rows together at a time, right sides together. Be sure to pin thoroughly so that you don’t have uneven edges. Press seams toward the white strips.

Step 5:

Cut your backing fabric to size. Depending on which amount of yardage you chose, you will do this one of two ways. If you chose to make only one runner, just lay out your backing fabric with your “quilt top” on top of it, and cut the backing so you have an extra inch or so all around the quilt top. If you chose to make two runners, fold your fabric in half lengthwise and cut down the fold. This will make 2 backing pieces the appropriate size.

Step 6:

Make your quilt sandwich by laying out your backing fabric right side down on a smooth flat surface. To help avoid puckers, I suggest taping the fabric to the floor or table so it is taut. Then, layer the batting on top of the backing fabric. Finally, lay your quilt top on top, smoothing out any wrinkles. Pin all layers together, remove tape.

Step 7:

Using your sewing machine, sew all layers together. This is called “quilting” the quilt. You can do all sorts of patterns, but that can get complicated. To keep it simple, you can do what’s called “stitch in the ditch”. This means to just sew along all the seams.

Step 8:

Once you’re done quilting, trim the edges and square up the corners.

Step 9:

Use your remaining white strips to bind the quilt. Voila!