4th of July Table Runner Tutorial
This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share a commission.I finished up a new table runner and I think you are really going to be amazed at how easy it is to make this 4th of July table runner following this tutorial!
4th of July Table Runner Tutorial
18″ x 25″ Table Runner
Equipment
- Sewing Machine
- Rotating Cutting Mat
- Basic Sewing Tools
- Thread
- Quilt Ruler
- Rotary Cutter
- Cutting Mat
- Clover Flower Head Pins
- Binding Clips
- Clapper – excellent for setting seams
- Wool Pressing Mat
- Lighting
Make one quilt block
I’m going to show you how to make one block first so you can see the magic happen.
- 2 white 5-inch squares
- 1 red 5-inch square
- 1 blue 5-inch square
- Place the red square on top of the white square
- Place the blue square on top of the white square
- Cut the squares in half diagonally to make half-square triangle blocks
- Sew together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance
- Square up your blocks if needed so they measure 4 1/2 inches
- Lay the blocks out as shown below
- Sew the blocks together
Square up your blocks if needed so they measure 4 1/2 inches.
This tutorial! This table runner tutorial has been converted to an optional PDF that’s optimized for printing.
The Magic Quilt Block
Now the fun part happens!
Measure over 1 1/4 inches from the center of the block on both sides and cut. Look at the diagram.
Carefully make another 1 1/4 inch cut from the center on both sides in the opposite direction. It is easiest to do this if you use a rotating cutting mat.
Now flip the middle blocks as shown below.
Your blocks should look like this, now sew the rows together.
Finished quilt block
Now you have a quilt block that looks like you spent a lot of time piecing it together! Isn’t it neat! The quilt block is a bit over 7 1/2 and not quite 8 inches.
At first, I was going to make a table topper from 4 quilt blocks.
Then I decided to make 2 more quilt blocks for a table runner.
Yardage
- 12 – 5-inch squares of white
- 6 – 5-inch squares of red
- 6 – 5-inch squares of blue
- 1/2 yard red fabric for border and binding (use this for the 5-inch squares too)
- 1/2 yard backing and batting
After I sewed the quilt blocks together I added a border. I cut 2 1/2-inch strips.
Measure your blocks and cut your border that size. My top and bottom cut were 2 1/2 x 22 inches and the sides were 18 inches. Yours might be a little different.
Quilt and add binding
Finish your table runner by quilting and adding the binding. I thought two 2 1/2 strips the width of the fabric would be enough for the binding. I ended up needing to add a small piece as I was about 1/2 an inch short.
4th of July Table Runner Tutorial
I hope you have enjoyed this, I plan on making it in other fabrics and also in a larger size. Did you like it?
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! This table runner tutorial has been converted to an optional PDF that’s optimized for printing.
Pin this for later!
Other quilt tutorials for July 4th
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About Connie
Hi, I’m Connie Kresin Campbell, the quilter, writer, and photographer behind Freemotion By the River. I enjoy inspiring others with my quilt tutorials and patterns. You’ll also see my sweet adopted dogs from time to time.
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OMG, I was wondering what does she mean split and dice. What a wonderful way to do these blocks. I imagine there is less of a mistake. Thank you so much
QMG, I was wondering what does she mean split and dice. What a wonderful way to do these blocks. I imagine there is less of a mistake. Thank you so much
Adorei a colcha e o caminho de mesa. Muito lindos.
I am getting caught up on my email. I really like the design of this little quilt. Thank you for the tutorial.
Connie, that’s an amazing block! And really sew easy to make too. Thank you for sharing!
Hope you’re settling into your new home! Pet Rusty for all of us out here!
Connie,
I am not sewing many new things these days because I’m trying to work on a few WIP that I hope to finish in time for Christmas (you know how that is), but I want you to know how much I enjoy your tutorials and news about your sewing studio. Just as much, I enjoy seeing and reading about Rusty. You brighten my days.
Happy 4th!!! This is a cool quilt block!!! If I were to make it a finished 12×12 inch block, what would the 3 different colors, there square sizes need to be, to make the Half Square Triangles. I would like to know cause I want to put in my next quilt along with other quilt blocks.
That is really wonderful. It DOES look so complicated! I’d love to see it as a big quilt too. Hope the smoke has cleared up for you there. We are on our way home now via the northern route.
Connie,
This is GENIUS! (and it does look like you spent all day cutting and sewing those tiny pieces together!)
How complicated it looks but so simple to make! Have material that I’ve been trying to figure out what to do with…now I know. Just one comment to actually speed up even more. When initially making the half square triangles, if you draw a light line from corner to corner and then put the colored and white fabric face together, sew 1/4″ seam on either side of the line, then cut along the line. Two blocks in half the time.
Love your ideas and posts, keep them coming.
Thanks for this really cute block. I enjoy your posts, especially when you include news about Rusty. Congrats on your new home.
I like the simplicity and the “trick” of turning. Perfect size. I just put one more quilt in the box for the kids’ hospital and now it’s MY turn! Thanks this looks so complicated and your directions are so easy! Thanks
I was gifted a box of squares so of course I have to do that first. Made a couple rookie mistakes and “reverse sewing” a lot. RULE: The simpler the pattern the more mistakes I make byt thinking it’s “simple”. Ha
I finished this quilt and it was so easy after I stepped away and read the directions! LOL Long weekend so will make another while I’m on a roll! LOVE this pattern. Thanks!
Lovely Table Runner Dear. Your tutorials are always so well done that I believe I could make this if I tried. Rusty is doing so well for just having moved again and now fireworks. Happy Safe Fourth of July my friend.
Beautiful way to make this gorgeous block. It looks really difficult, but you make it look so easy. I am going to try it shortly. Thanks for sharing this pattern. I am going to look in your store and see if I can purchase the pattern.
Rusty looks content these days.
Happy July 4th.
Cindy
Wow!! What a creative way to make that block. Since it’s Rusty approved, I think I’ll need to make one. I’ve got some fabric that I haven’t known what to do with and this will be perfect. Thanks for such a wonderful tutorial!!
Hi Connie and Happy 4th.
I have been searching for a simple but elegant pattern. My daughter and her husband are travel agents. They just went to Alaska. I “twisted” her arm” to stop in the quilt shop in Skagway. And Candi picked up two beautiful pieces of fabric for me. Their Anniversary is in a few weeks and I think I can make it – if I hurry. We too are moving -again- 200 miles up the road but packing is packing no matter how short or far. I can’t wait to surprise her with this. Thank you and Blessings on your new studio.
June
Wow! That’s a really neat block assembly Connie! My first thought was wouldn’t matching placemats look lovely too? Thank you for sharing! Happy Independence Day!
Dear Connie,
What a beautiful table runner! Love the block twist¡! I’m so glad Rusty has worked out so well. It’s like we’re seeing him bloom right before our eyes.
Thank you for taking a chance!
Lydia