Does this happen to you? You find a quilt pattern that you love but find that it is much larger than you need. It can be hard to justify the time and expense of making another full-sized quilt when you already have a closet full of them. But you love a certain fabric line and want to use it, or you find a certain pattern so appealing….What is a quilter to do?
Well, you absolutely do not have to make the whole quilt. In most cases, it is ridiculously easy to take that quilt block you love and only make a few of them and turn them into a gorgeous table runner or table topper. Benefits of this practice are that you won’t run out of quilt storage space in that closet, you can purchase a much smaller amount of fabric (layer cakes often work perfectly), and your project will take far shorter time to complete. Best of all, you will have something seasonal to decorate with and not hide away in a bedroom. I use my runners on my hall table, coffee table, dining table, and buffet!
The quilt shown in the photo above is from a pattern by The Pattern Basket called Sunflower Seeds. My favorite time of year to decorate is from September through November and I find that table runners are the ideal way to inject a bit of seasonal fun into my decor without breaking the bank or spending an overwhelming amount of time in the sewing room.
For this table runner, I made just three quilt blocks from the pattern and used a background fabric to make a lattice and inner border. I then used some additional yardage to make an outer border. My runner was just the size I needed. I had it quilted, which cost much less than having a full-size quilt done. Many long-arm quilters have a set minimum charge for runners, which is usually very reasonable.
So, the next time you fall in love with a fabric collection, but don’t want the whole bundle, or find a fabulous pattern, but don’t want a full size quilt, consider your options. Buy a smaller precut of that fabric and adapt that great pattern to make yourself a table runner. It is the best compromise ever, I promise!
15 Responses
Nice new site Nicole and look forward to reading. Great to see you are keeping us up to date and thanks for sharing all your great tips.
Nice to see you are well and Happy Fall to you and your family.
Gail
gailss1
Happy Fall Gail. Thanks for following me over here.
Good Morning, Nicole-I love your ‘new home’! Since your email came through to me this morning, I am assuming that I made the crossover to the new place intact. I love what you have always done in the past, so am looking forward to more of whatever you’ve got. Thanks for keeping us so informed about the big change.
Continued good health wishes to you and hubby, and don’t forget more stories about Eva and your little mischievous poochie. Oh, and don’t forget your great book reviews, fabric reviews, and talk of anything made of fabric, plus loads of pictures of it all. You get the idea.
Good luck and thank you!
P.S. I’ve been making table runners for years and loved your column this morning. All of your ‘tips’ were spot on!
Hi Peggy, glad the transition went well for you!
Thanks for the kind words. I always seem to have something to say and love to share with others. I haven’t been in my sewing room for over a week with all this blog moving business and am looking forward to getting back to my projects.
Your table runner & topper suggestion is a good idea in my book! As you said, I’m on overload with large quilts & finding a useful storage solution nowadays. Smaller pieces & art quilts have been giving me my sewing ‘fix’ but don’t take loads of time & space!
I have way too many full-sized quilts. I have no idea why I keep making them.
how about the inverse? I’ve made smaller versions of patterns and then wished I had made it bigger. there is no winning with me. no winning.
Lol. I feel that way about the Grunge Bats table runner I made. That would have been such a great full size quilt.
Making the design into a table runner is such a good suggestion! I know that I get “quilters ADD” and stop working on a project when I feel it has taken too long.
Quilters ADD, I love that term. I know I get distracted by the next new thing all the time.
I am doing exactly that right now with a Christmas quilt. The pattern will make a pretty tablet runner. I need more tables though.
Not to have you tell secrets, but weren’t you making 2 runners for sisters this year? I remember the beautiful subtle one, but not the other?
Perfect runner for fall! Your new blog is very nice, I’m glad you were able to transition to a knew platform and not lose your style.
Love the new site! I use my phone so am probably not getting the full experience yet. Love the idea of making the quilts mini and more functional, must also help with actually finishing for me. Will need to try that out on some of my quilts I have avoided finishing.
I think you do get a much better experience on a laptop.
Yes, I love my table runners and table toppers! I can use smaller precuts and the project goes so much faster.
What a great idea…thanks for reminding us that this is an option! You get to satisfy the craving for making a block you’re interested and a fabric line you love!