Magic Circle Table Runner

The Magic Circle block from the Bernina Block Party block-of-the-month, stitched three times, will make a perfect table runner. I chose to use a half inch wide binding to coordinate with the fabric and to show off the blocks.

Magic circle table runner

Supplies to Create a Magic Circle Table Runner

Creating the Magic Circle Table Runner

Piece three Magic Circle blocks following BERNINA Block Party Magic Circle instructions.
Stitch the three blocks together to form one long rectangle.

Magic circle table runner

Use BERNINA’s new Adjustable Ruler Foot #72 and quilt the blocks as Nina suggested in the quilting lesson from Block Four. After the quilting is completed, square up the block using a clear ruler and a rotary cutter.

Magic circle table runner

We will add the binding using the same binding techniques that we used when completing the Shoo Fly Placemats from Block 2. Click here if you want to review the steps from that blog. The main difference for this project is that the binding will be 1/2″ wide.

Start by stitching the three 3″ wide binding strips together with diagonal seams just as we did in Block 2’s project.

Magic circle table runner

Now stitch the binding on, leaving a 5″ or 6″ tail at the beginning just as we did in Block 2, except use a ½” seam allowance instead of the 1/4″ seam allowance. I used the Walking Foot #50 instead of the Patchwork Foot #37 for this step.

Magic circle table runner

When you get to the first corner, stop stitching 1/2″ from the cut edge of the placemat. Raise the presser foot and turn a 45 degree angle and stitch right off the corner making sure to secure your stitching.

Magic circle table runner

Turn placemat so that the previously stitched binding edge is at the top. Fold binding tail up. The raw edges of the binding will align with the second side of the placemat.

Fold the binding back down on itself to create a mitered corner in your binding.

Continue stitching from the folded edge using a 1/2″ seam allowance, securing at the beginning and end. Repeat the steps for all corners.

When you get all the way around, stop stitching about 5″ or 6″ from where the starting tail is.

Slide the end of the binding into the folded/mitered end of the beginning tail.

Trace the angle of the beginning tail onto the ending tail with a chalk marker.

Magic circle table runner

Cut off excess tail 1″ beyond the chalked line.

Mark a line on the binding beginning tail and the ending tail 1/2″ from the cut ends. Making these marks on each end of the binding will make it so much easier to get an accurate seam allowance.

Magic circle table runner

Align the 1/2″ marks and pin.

Stitch the ends together, and trim off points of seam. Complete the stitching to finish binding.

Magic circle table runner

Magic circle table runner

Fold binding to back. Clover Wonder Clips are a great alternative to pinning when you are working with bulky seams.

Magic circle table runner

Hand stitch or machine stitch binding in place.

Magic circle table runner

So that’s it—your table runner is all finished, ready to place on your table. Notice that the 1/2″ width binding looks very nice and adds another element to the quilt design.

Magic circle table runner

Print this page

What you might also like

Leave a Reply