Hey everyone, today we're making a cheerful table runner that lets a circle print do all the talking.
Here we go. Let's talk fabric first. That's the fun part.
This is Flock Together Circle Square Aqua Cotton, from In The Beginning Fabrics. The designer is Jason Yenter. It is 100% cotton, and the width of fabric is 44"/45". That is what the product listing tells us, plain and simple.
The color story is aqua, blue, blue green, and teal, with multi color in the mix. The print brings in circles and dots, in that circle square design. I love that mix for a table. It feels fresh. It feels happy. And it does not need a lot of help.
Picture it down the middle of a dining table. Or across a sideboard. Those aqua and teal tones brighten the room fast. Just like that, your table has a centerpiece that will not wilt.
Why this fabric suits a table runner
A runner is a perfect showcase for a print like this. The shape is long and narrow. The circles get room to repeat. Nothing feels crowded.
The full width helps too. At 44"/45" wide, one yard gives you plenty of length to work with. You can cut your runner pieces across the width and keep the design running in one direction. That keeps things simple.
My preference is one wide center panel with a simple border. But you could piece squares instead, or skip the border for a clean modern look. Completely up to you. We're not reinventing the wheel here.
What you'll need
- 1 yard of Flock Together Circle Square Aqua Cotton, 44"/45" wide, 100% cotton
- 1/2 yard of a coordinating solid or tonal cotton for the border and backing, or extra of the main fabric for the backing
- Low-loft batting, about 16" x 46" for the finished size below
- Matching thread for piecing, plus a contrasting thread if you want visible quilting
- Your usual basics: rotary cutter, ruler, pins or clips, and a size 80/12 needle
This plan finishes about 14" x 44". That fits most dining tables nicely. It leaves room for plates on both sides. Want it longer? Add a second yard and extend the center panel. The math is easy here.
Brief steps
First, press your fabric well. Then square up the edges. Go slow with the ruler. A straight first cut makes everything else easier.
Second, cut your center panel. Cut it 10 1/2" wide by 40 1/2" long. Try to center a nice row of circles in the panel. Step back and look before you cut. That one check matters.
Third, add the border. Cut two side strips 2 1/4" wide by 40 1/2" long. Sew them on with a 1/4" seam, then press away from the center. Then cut two end strips 2 1/4" wide by 14 1/2" long. Sew, press, and square up the top.
Fourth, layer the top, batting, and backing. Smooth it flat. Pin or baste well. Then quilt it simply. Stitch in the ditch around the border is my pick. Then echo a few of the circles. Try about 8 to 10 stitches per inch. Slow down on the turns. Slow down or your curves get wobbly.
Fifth, trim the sandwich even with the top. Bind it with your favorite method, or use the extra backing folded to the front. I have done both. Both work fine. Press it flat, lay it out, and enjoy it.
My tips from the sewing room
Tip one: let the print lead. With circles this lively, simple quilting wins. Too much stitching fights the design. A little echo goes a long way.
Tip two: test your stitch on a small scrap sandwich first. Check your tension. Check your stitch length. Two minutes now saves real frustration later. I have learned that the hard way, y'all.
Tip three: it does not have to be perfect. If a circle gets cut a little off-center, leave it. You're your own worst critic. Take your time, it's not a race. A finished runner on your table beats a perfect plan in a drawer every time.
If I can do this, y'all can do it. Super duper easy, and really really satisfying.
Thanks so much for sewing along with me today, folks. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the Flock Together Circle Square Aqua Cotton 44"/45" Fabric Per Yard at Linda's Electric Quilters.
