Summer Splash table runner tutorial

 

I finally dusted off my sewing machine and made this summery table runner for a gift using a charm pack and a half yard of white fabric.  The fabric is Treasures and Tidbits.
To make this quick runner cut 160 squares 1.75″ x 1.75″, and pick out 40 – 5″ squares or use a charm pack.
Make a snowball block by sewing a white square in each corner of the 5″ square.  I find it easiest to chain piece when I make these blocks, and as you can see down below I used my masking tape trick instead of marking all of those tiny squares with pencil lines.

 

Then sew them together 4 blocks in a row & 10 rows. Or 10 blocks in a row &  4 rows….whatever suites your fancy.
IMG_8979_thumb[1]
I got A LOT of questions about keeping my lines straight when I do straight line quilting.  Usually I use the edge of my foot as a guide….or if I’m doing thicker lines I have a nifty bar/guide  that hooks into my walking foot.  I think more than anything straight lines just take practice…lots and lots of practice. But even after lots of practice you’ll still get some crooked lines…guaranteed (see those quilting lines up there??? crooked!)  So don’t be so hard on yourselves if you get a crooked line here or there.  :)

59 Responses to Summer Splash table runner tutorial

  1. Linz June 8, 2011 at 11:47 am #

    That is darling! Thanks for sharing! I think I must make one! :)

  2. Heidi June 8, 2011 at 12:03 pm #

    Beautiful fresh table runner !

  3. Mrs D June 8, 2011 at 12:04 pm #

    That masking tip is brilliant. so simple but sanity saving! thanks. such a cute little table runner

  4. Kim June 8, 2011 at 12:08 pm #

    I need a summer runner, and this one looks perfect! Thanks for sharing.

  5. Rebekah June 8, 2011 at 12:22 pm #

    I just finished hand-quilting my first piece and one row is SO crooked. I'm going to have to pick it out and redo that one, or it will drive me crazy forever.

  6. Karenkay June 8, 2011 at 12:28 pm #

    Very cute!

  7. Annabella June 8, 2011 at 12:51 pm #

    Adorable – and thanks for the tutorial!

  8. "Lois Grebowski" June 8, 2011 at 12:53 pm #

    So bright and cheery. Love it. Love that fabric. New line?

  9. Ashley June 8, 2011 at 12:59 pm #

    Cute! What a great addition to a summer table!

  10. Elsa June 8, 2011 at 12:59 pm #

    like it a lot! and love the little masking tape trick. thanks so much!

  11. Alex Duenkel June 8, 2011 at 1:05 pm #

    So pretty! You just inspired me!

  12. tinystitches June 8, 2011 at 1:06 pm #

    So cute — love your choice of fabrics for a summer rummer!! Tucking this away for later. Thank you!

  13. Debbie June 8, 2011 at 1:23 pm #

    Cute little runner!!

  14. Ricki June 8, 2011 at 1:41 pm #

    I love charm packs! They are perfect for quick little projects. Your table runner looks great!

  15. Betty Lou June 8, 2011 at 1:54 pm #

    Little snowballs in summer that should keep someone cool. Very nice.

  16. tracy_a June 8, 2011 at 1:56 pm #

    cute idea!

  17. Molly June 8, 2011 at 2:16 pm #

    Very nice!! Bright and cheerful and fun!

  18. ♥Duff June 8, 2011 at 2:24 pm #

    completely forgot about the masking tape trick–love it! Your runner is adorable & easy–my kind of project!

  19. Kris June 8, 2011 at 2:27 pm #

    Super cute! Love the fabric!

  20. mamabug June 8, 2011 at 2:29 pm #

    Thanks for the idea and especially the masking tape trick. That's a keeper!!! Can't wait to make one and to share with my family :)

  21. a little bit biased June 8, 2011 at 2:46 pm #

    It's a very happy runner. So cute!

  22. Britt-Inger June 8, 2011 at 2:56 pm #

    A wonderful and fresh summer runner
    I love it

  23. Keriann June 8, 2011 at 3:00 pm #

    That is SUPER cute! I have been itching to make a table runner! What perfect motivation! Thanks! Now…let's see if I actually get it done! hehe

  24. Kathy@mishmashmom June 8, 2011 at 3:01 pm #

    When I looked at the title of your post, I thought that you had stopped quilting and taken up running for the summer. "Noooooo!" I thought. Thank goodness it was the OTHER kind of runner. :) Thanks for the fun idea!
    Kathy

  25. Jackie Russell June 8, 2011 at 3:06 pm #

    Snowballs in the summer, how cool! Love the hexegons and no handsewing. Yeah!

  26. Our Busy Little Bunch June 8, 2011 at 3:13 pm #

    LOVE this!

  27. Linda June 8, 2011 at 3:33 pm #

    I love the colors and fabrics you used! It gives that little block such a modern look.

  28. Christine June 8, 2011 at 4:05 pm #

    That is so fresh and pretty!

  29. Suzy June 8, 2011 at 4:09 pm #

    Such a happy little table runner! Love how you used simple white to set off the colorful snowballs! Really cute! Thanks for sharing.

  30. Jodi-JoJoMia's Place June 8, 2011 at 4:49 pm #

    Very cute and summery! I love it, I was just thinking about that new fabric line, Going Coastal, that would look super cute with this pattern too. It reminded me of it.

  31. bethanndodd June 8, 2011 at 7:59 pm #

    What a special gift…I want one! BUT, I am not looking forward to cutting 160 little white squares…yikes!

  32. Nancy June 8, 2011 at 8:09 pm #

    Such a cute table runner! The recipient will love it!

  33. Sarah Marie June 8, 2011 at 8:29 pm #

    Very nice! I use blue painters tape directly on my fabric and use it as a guide. It works like magic!

  34. shez June 8, 2011 at 11:19 pm #

    well done it looks fantastic

  35. Three Sisterz June 9, 2011 at 2:09 am #

    great project! i love it and want to make one! ps. your banner is awesome!

  36. Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie June 9, 2011 at 4:03 am #

    Such a cute summertime runner…

  37. sariah June 9, 2011 at 4:47 am #

    Fabulous! Love your colors….

  38. Royce June 9, 2011 at 1:30 pm #

    Love the tape trick. Looks like it would really speed up several different block designs.

  39. joannelesinski June 9, 2011 at 2:21 pm #

    SWEET !!! I love snowballs.

  40. paigernate June 9, 2011 at 7:01 pm #

    SO FUN allison! can i be you when i grow up? :)

  41. Andrea R June 9, 2011 at 10:52 pm #

    Oooo, I've been tinkering of Christmas runners & a bunch of snowball blocks would be really killer.

  42. Jamie Lee June 10, 2011 at 1:36 am #

    Thanks for the peace of mind about straight line quilting…I am just finishing up quilting the lines on my fall tumbler quilt that I wanted to make after I saw yours. None of the lines are perfect, but it is such a striking quilt with all the different color and scale that I love it so much! Your tablerunner is beautiful!

  43. Side Stitches June 10, 2011 at 2:11 pm #

    I just love this! As soon as I opened the page, I said "Ooooo!" The colors are just fabulous. And it's such a fun pattern. Thanks for sharing!

  44. Carolyn June 10, 2011 at 3:47 pm #

    I love snowballs. Love your colors. Thanks for sharing!

    Silver MLM

  45. one day at a time June 11, 2011 at 9:01 am #

    This is amazing. I'm going to try it. I've never quilted before and I think this is going to be the first attempt. Thank you for the inspiration!

  46. Leslie June 16, 2011 at 8:30 pm #

    I just love your choices in colors, gives me ideas of what I can put together!

  47. Henrietta June 19, 2011 at 8:13 pm #

    I love it! So bright and summery, I am going to try this soon! Thanks for sharing!

  48. Eileen June 19, 2011 at 11:15 pm #

    Darling. Love snowballing and the vibrancy is great. Great idea of the masking tape. Love it!

  49. Khris July 2, 2011 at 7:39 am #

    I love snowball blocks….always looks great.
    Well done..hugs Khris

  50. Karen July 3, 2011 at 11:06 am #

    What a pretty summer runner. I love to make snowball blocks.

  51. quilter000 July 3, 2011 at 1:59 pm #

    so is there a tut for it? really pretty and I think would be good for any Holiday

  52. Bente-I like to QuiltBlog August 20, 2011 at 10:08 pm #

    Thanks for sharing! The tablerunner looks beautiful, I just sew one myself ☺

  53. Beertje Zonn August 29, 2011 at 9:00 am #

    I like it!

    Beertje Zonn

  54. Diana August 30, 2011 at 9:05 am #

    Hi, love this idea what a great way to use up a pack of charms. I would love to know the finished size of your runner.
    hugs
    Diana

  55. Danette Collins April 1, 2015 at 11:21 am #

    Just browsing your tutorials and I really like this one. I have lots of charm squares I want to get sewing with! I think crooked lines give character!

Leave a Reply