Quilted Table Runner Made Simple

Click HERE or on the image to see the full video tutorial. 

In this tutorial, I will take you step-by-step through the process of creating a super easy (and amazing!) quilted table runner using 2.5" fabric strips, either scraps, leftover jelly roll strips, or jelly roll precuts. While making this project, I will show you some tips and tricks to help you with it. The fast strip-piecing construction is perfect for all levels of quilters, including beginners.

The finished table runner will measure approx. 18" x 29.5", making it an ideal decorative accent for your home, a thoughtful and customizable handmade gift, or both! The best part is that with one (40) strip jelly roll, you can make FOUR table runner tops! FOUR! Make one for yourself and three as gifts.

With simple piecing techniques and a splash of creativity, you can turn those colorful strips into a stunning quilted masterpiece in no time!

Here are the supplies you will need to make one 18” x 29.5” table runner:

Step 1: Choose Your Fabrics

You can use precut strip sets, like a Jelly Roll, for this project, or you can use scraps.

Jelly Roll Instructions: Usually precut strips that you find in sets like jelly rolls measure 2.5” wide by the width of fabric (WOF) long, which is usually around 42” depending on the print. For this project, we will be using HALF of the length of the strip. This will give us variety in our finished project. Note: I used Ivy & Iris by Jan Patek for Moda for this tutorial, but you can use any jelly roll set.

Here are the steps:

1. Open up the jelly roll set and use a lint roller to clean off all the lint

2. Pick (10) light fabrics (you will have extra)

3. Pick (10) dark/medium fabrics (you will have extra)

4. While strips are still folded, cut the selvedges off the one end and cut at the fold

5. You will have (20) 2.5” x approx. 22” strips, with two of each strip

6. Next, take the duplicates from each strip and set it aside for a future project. 

Scrap Fabric Instructions

Using Scrap 2.5” Strips: Gather the fabric you would like to use, making sure you have enough for (10) 2.5” x 22” themed or dark fabrics and (10) 2.5” x 22” strips of background fabric. This is a perfect way to use up extra 2.5” precut strips.

This fabric line is Ivy & Iris by Jan Petak for Moda. 

Step 2: Strip Piecing Units

Pick (1) 2.5” x 22” light and (1) 2.5” x 22” dark strip and place them facing each other, right sides together, lining up the long edges (note: the top and bottoms may not line up. That is okay. Strips are different lengths.)

Using a .25” seam allowance, sew down one of the long sides of the set. Repeat with the remaining strips. You will have (10) strip set units when you are finished. 

Set the seams, open the units, and press really well to the darker fabric.

Step 3: Cutting Block Units

Now that we have our (10) strip sets sewn, it is time to cut them into blocks. YAY! This is the fun part. 

Tip: Your strip sets should measure 4.5” wide by approx. 22”, but if it doesn’t measure 4.5” wide, that’s okay! Measure the width and that will be your personal cutting size for the following steps as we need the blocks to be squares. 

Lay one strip set flat on a cutting mat. Make sure it is straight. Next, trim up one edge of the unit, making sure it is straight. 

Line up your ruler on the line and measure over 4.5” and cut. You should get (4) 4.5” square units or blocks out of each strip set. There will be extra at the end of the strip set unit. That’s okay! I will give you some tips for using that at the end. 

Repeat with the remaining nine strip sets, making a total of (40) 4.5” x 4.5” blocks. 

You will have enough to make (40) 4.5” square units, but we will only be using 39. 

Step 4: Layout On Point

We will be laying out this table runner on point, meaning it will be turned so the points of the block are up and down. Find out what degree this is. Because of this, we will be piecing the “rows” together differently, but more on that later. 

Lay out the design as shown, paying close attention to the placement of the colors. Note: You can change the zig-zag design by changing the placement of the dark fabric. This is super fun to play with!

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Step 5: Sewing It Together 

Once you have the layout you like, it is time to sew it all together. Sew the rows in the diagonal setting, pressing to the full rectangle as you go. This will set it up so the rows nest together nicely. 

Step 6: Sewing Rows Together

Sew the rows together making sure to pay attention to where they are placed. For the corners, press the row in half and center the corner blocks as shown. 

Step 7: Preparing for Quilting

Now that the table runner top is pieced, it is time to think about quilting this project. There are two options when preparing the table topper top to be quilted: trimming before you quilt it or trimming after you quilt it. Personally, I like to do it after, but this is up to you. Here is an overview of both methods with the pros and cons to each:

Trimming Before Quilting:

To do this, lay your table runner quilt top on a cutting mat, and using a long ruler, trim off the sides by lining up the ruler ¼” out from the diagonal row intersections. If you’d like, you can give yourself some wiggle room and actually cut about ½” over. You can trim it off accurately after the quilt is quilted. 

• Pros: 

  • Use less batting and backing fabric

• Cons:

  • More difficult to quilt (in my opinion) and does not keep the top as stable

  • Creates Bias edges 

Trimming After Quilting:

To do this, lay your quilted table runner on a cutting mat with the back side facing down and the top side facing up. Using a long ruler, trim off the sides by lining up the ruler ¼” out from the diagonal row intersections. Make sure to cut the edges straight by using the lines on your cutting mat and the lines on the ruler.

• Pros: 

• Much more stable unit and easier to get straight

• Cons:

• Fabric waste 

Step 8: Quilting Table Runner

Place the backing fabric face down on a flat surface. I like to tape this down to make sure it doesn’t shift. Layer the batting on top of the back, making sure to smooth out any wrinkles. Next, lay the table runner quilt top on top of the batting, wrong side down and right side (or pretty side) up. Make sure it is smooth. 

Because this is a small project, you do not have to clamp or tape the pieces down, but you can if you would like to. Pin, thread, or spray-baste all of the layers together. Quilt as desired.

Step 9: Finishing the Project

Finish the table runner by binding using your favorite binding method. Make sure to add a label! Enjoy your table runner. 

What about those extra pieces?

The extra pieces from the strip piecing/cutting can easily be used to make small four-patches. 

 Line up the cut edges of two leftover pieces, placing them right sides together. Because we pressed to the darker fabrics, these seams will nest together. 

Sew ¼” seam down the cut sides. 

Trim up the block to the uniform size. I make a 4” square. (Note: this size will be determined by the units you make and how much of each strip set is left.)

As for the corners trimmed off, you can also use these to make half-square triangles, to cut squares, or to use in crumb quilting. If you quilted the table runner before trimming, you can easily pick out the stitches and use that fabric.