Heart Table Runner Quilt Tutorial

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Several years ago I made this sweet little batik heart quilt that could be used for a baby or as a wall hanging. I finally used up the rest of the blocks and made a heart table runner!

Heart table runner and quilt on fence
Heart Table Runner and Quilt in snow

Now that I am getting settled into my quilt studio, I’ve been going through boxes looking at projects that were never finished.

Heart table runner on fence
table runner hanging on fence

I remember when I made the baby quilt I was using my AccuQuilt GO! cutter and the 2-inch finished half square triangle die. I ended up cutting way more than I needed and even had a couple of blocks finished.

You can never have too many table runners and I thought it would be fun to make one that could be used for Valentine’s day.

Box of leftover quilt blocks for hearts
Fabrics used

I even pulled out the heart baby quilt so I could look at it and get some ideas of what I wanted to do.

Heart quilt and extra blocks
Extra blocks

I had two blocks finished so I only had to make 2 more for a nice sized table runner.

Batik heart blocks used
2 different block styles

What you will need

Here is a list of the basic tools you will use when making this table runner.

Equipment / Tools

Materials

  • 3/4 yard cream fabric for blocks, sashing, borders and binding
  • 4 different batik fat quarters – Light Pink, Pink, Dark Pink, Purple
  • Backing – 1½ yards
  • Thread
  • Batting

Heart Table Runner tutorial

16″ x 47″

I broke the cutting down in case you don’t want to make the flying geese border. First is the cutting for the heart blocks, below you’ll find the cutting directions for the flying geese border.

Cutting the blocks first

Each 8½-unfinished block uses – six 2 7/8-inch squares cream, two 2½-inch squares cream, six 2 7/8-inch squares assorted batiks, and two 2½-inch square of the batiks

There are four blocks so cut the following:

  • Cream – cut 24 – 2 7/8-inch squares
  • Cream – cut 8 – 2½-inch squares
  • Assorted Batiks -cut 24 – 2 7/8-inch squares
  • Assorted Batiks – cut 8 – 2½-inch squares

Making the HST blocks

I prefer to cut my half square triangles with my AccuQuilt dies but if you don’t have them, this is how to make your blocks.

  • Place the cream 2 7/8-inch square on top of the batik 2 7/8-inch square
  • Mark a line diagonally down the center and stitch ¼-inch on both sides
  • Cut on the centerline, press to the batik fabric.
  • Your half square triangle blocks should measure 2½-inches square.
Easy way to cut half-square triangles

Lay your pieces out as shown below, make 2 of each block. Press toward the dark fabric if possible or press seam allowances open.

Use a ¼” seam allowance.

Add the Sashing

Sashing – Cream – cut 3 – 2 ½″ x 8 ½″ strips for the sashing. The sashing is bigger than what I did on the Heart baby quilt.

Add the sashing between the blocks

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Add the sashing to your blocks
Add the sashing

Add first border

Now it is time to add the cream border. Take the time to measure your piece to make sure the borders will fit. Sometimes you might have to add a bit or substract a bit.

  • Cut two 2½-inch by 38½-inch strips of cream and sew to the top and bottom of the table runner
  • Cut two 2½-inch by 12½-inch strips of cream and sew to the sides

If you would like to stop here, you would have a table runner that is approximately 12½” x 40½”.

Flying Geese Border

I still had plenty of half square triangle blocks left so I decided to add a flying geese border.

Cutting the flying geese border – it is made with the same size of half square triangles.

  • Cream – cut 28 – 2 7/8-inch squares
  • Assorted Batiks -cut 28 – 2 7/8-inch squares

Make the squares into half square triangles and then sew them together as shown below.

make the flying geese blocks for table runner
  • Sew the sides to the table runner first
  • Cut 2 – 2½-inch cream squares – sub-cut to 1¼-inch x 2½-inch, add these to the ends of your top and bottom flying geese sections
  • Pin the flying geese border matching the center sashing strip with the middle of the sixth flying geese.
Add the cream pieces to the corners

Finishing

Add your backing and batting and quilt. I did a simple meandering free-motion just on the cream pieces and nothing on the batiks.

Cut three 2½-inch by the width of fabric strips for your binding and use this tutorial for machine binding.

I tried to get a picture of Mr. Mickey by the table runner but it didn’t work out so well.

Mickey playing by table runner

The table runner looks pretty good by my red vintage Christmas truck!

Red vintage truck by the heart table runner

If you are thinking about buying the AccuQuilter cutter, the GO! Big Boundless Starter Pack includes the 8-inch Qube set that has the 2½-inch unfinished HST and square die plus other dies. Otherwise, you can buy the 8-inch Mix & Match Qube set alone.

Batik Heart table runner and quilt in the woods

Be sure and look at the Heart Baby quilt tutorial also.

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial! This blog post has been converted to an optional PDF that’s optimized for printing.

Purchase an ad-free printable version of the Heart Baby Quilt and Heart table runner tutorial in my shop. The photos have been reduced in size and the tutorial is 6 pages long.

Heart quilt and table runner pdf

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Connie with her dogs

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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13 Comments

  1. Lori Kadja says:

    I made a table runner for each of my 2 daughters ( not your patterns ) Then I saw the
    Heart Table Runner and had to make that for myself. Thank you for the pattern.
    I also used Batiks, but you have to remember to wash before or after with a color catcher.

    1. Thanks Lori, I usually add a color catcher for first time, I have been very fortunate with my batiks.

  2. Joan Zamojcin says:

    I just finished making your recent “windmill” quilt pattern using the Accuquilt cutter. I have had it for a while and only used it to cut strips and squares (which I love to do) and finally used it to make the windmill pattern using 1/2 square triangles. Your instructions were wonderful, and it gives me the courage to try another using the 8″ cube. I will make the heart pattern next using the 1/2 square triangles as well. Can I use the 8″ cube flying geese, or will they be too large? Again, love your blog.

  3. Robyn Lidstone says:

    This is such a lovely versatile design. Each of the items has its own charm. The colours look vibrant against the light background.
    I feel a stash raid coming on.
    Thanks Connie for another trio of gorgeous projects.

  4. Glenda B. says:

    This heart table runner just makes me smile! At our latest Zoom quilt guild this month we had a “tips and tricks for half square triangles”. I know they will come in handy when I make this lovely table runner.
    Thanks again Connie for another winning tutorial and project. Hugs from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada 🇨🇦.

  5. Lady4Yeshua says:

    Love, Love, Love the heart table runner and the heart lap quilt! If I wasn’t trying to get a project finished for a birthday gift, I’d be digging thru my pink, red and purple scraps! And Mr. Micky is a CUTE model!

    Connie, what kind of batting do you use in your table runners? I used Warm & Natural Cotton and am pulling my hair out! It doesn’t want to free motion quilt well and leaves white fuzz all over everything! I use a thin poly that I lightly ironed/melted and love the way the runner sewed up and folds up. Two people in my Facebook group recommended fleece lining and one recommended washable felt. What do you recommend for less mess and better sewing?

    1. I don’t like using fleece lining has it seems to stretch on me. I have used Warm & Natural but lately have been using a poly/cotton mix.

  6. I remember the days when we used to get big dumps of snow and I had to make paths for the dogs. They were both Norwegian Elkhounds who loved the snow, but as they got older it was harder to break trail. Lovely Valentine table runners; I love the purple!

  7. Got part of your snow last night/today. My Husky is in HEAVEN! Love the heart quilt. And I’m not much on hearts but this one looks easy and fun. Lots of new babies on the block. Each one could have a different color!

  8. Kaye Mattson says:

    Your heart table runner is very pretty and the flying geese border is a great finishing touch!