Sugarplum Table Runner Quilt-along—Week 1

Hello from Faith over at Fresh Lemons Quilts! The holiday season is just around the corner, and each year I am eager to create handmade decor for my home. In the past I’ve sewn an advent calendar, Christmas tree skirt, and many quilts. This  year I am excited to share a new pattern for a holiday inspired table runner.

Over the next four weeks, we will be piecing 4 modern-traditional holiday block designs. These blocks are a mix of foundation paper piecing and traditional piecing. If you have never foundation paper pieced before, don’t worry! It is easier than it looks and I will provide step by step photo instructions for you. If you would like to start practicing the technique ahead of time, check out this tutorial on my Fresh Lemons Quilts blog.

All the blocks finish at 12″ x 12″ squares. Some individual blocks will appear off-centered prior to their placement in the final table runner. This is by design to achieve a beautiful balance in the final layout.

Alternatively, individual block patterns can be used as bee blocks or to create a quilt top, place mat, mini wall hanging, or even mug rug. I hope this table runner can be a jumping off point for many creative projects in your home.

Let’s get started!

Sugarplum Table Runner Quilt-Along – Week 1

Finished Size: 12″ x 84″ *
Block Size: 12″ x 12″ Finished
Number of Blocks: 7

* Depending on the size of your table, you may want to lengthen or shorten this table runner. My table is 64″ long. This pattern allows a 10” drop on each end of my table. To shorten your table runner, remove blocks in the design. To lengthen your table runner, add additional blocks in the design, or add equal sections of background fabric between your blocks.

Materials to Make the Sugarplum Table Runner

The Sugarplum Table Runner is a mix of bright and white solids. Some of the colors required for this project take very little fabric. This is a perfect project for scrap busting! However, if you’d like to make your table runner exactly like mine, I’ve listed the Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Solids I used. I would suggest buying a fat eighth of each and you will have fabric left over.

Tools:

• Marking tool such as a Clover disappearing ink pen or Clover hera marking tool
• Printer and paper
• Pins or glue stick

Background:

• 1-2/3 yards of White fabric

Bright Solids:

• 1 Fat Eighth of each –
  • Kona Cotton Solid in Asparagus (light green)
  • Kona Cotton Solid in Kale (dark green)
  • Kona Cotton Solid in Peony (light pink)
  • Kona Cotton Solid in Melon (medium pink)
  • Kona Cotton Solid in Wine (red)
  • Kona Cotton Solid in Bahama Blue (light blue)
  • Kona Cotton Solid in Cyan (dark blue)
  • Kona Cotton Solid in Buttercup (light yellow)
  • Kona Cotton Solid in Yarrow (dark yellow)

Quilt Backing, Binding and Batting:

• 1-1/3 yards Backing Fabric **
• 18″ x 90″ Piece of Batting
• 1/2 yard Binding Fabric for a traditionally finished quilted table runner – OR- 1 yard of mini white Pom Pom trim for a pillowcase finished quilted table runner

** I used Good Cheer in Coal from Juniper Berry by Basic Gray for Moda Fabrics

Templates:

• Print (8) copies of the Modern Pine Tree paper piecing template, scaled at “Actual Size” or “100%”
• Print (4) copies of the Poinsettia Flowers paper piecing template, scaled at “Actual Size” or “100%”
• Print (4) copies of the Snowflakes paper piecing template A, scaled at “Actual Size” or “100%”
• Print (4) copies of the Snowflakes paper piecing template B, scaled at “Actual Size” or “100%”

Cutting Instructions to Make the Sugarplum Table Runner

This week I am presenting the cutting instructions for the blocks we will be making over the month. Feel free to cut your fabric now, or wait to cut your fabric per block as we make them.

Blocks 1, 2 and 3 are Foundation Paper Pieced. When cutting fabric for this technique, you will be using fabric pieces slightly larger than the shape you are covering. I have sized the below cuts to be beginner friendly, but feel free to cut your fabric larger or smaller as desired if that works better for your sewing style.

Block 1 ~ Modern Pine Trees (2 blocks):

• Cut (4) 5″ x 7″ Kona Asparagus rectangles (Template Piece 1)
• Cut (4) 5″ x 7″ Kona Kale rectangles (Template Piece 1)
• Cut (16) 3″ x 7-1/2″ White rectangles (Template Pieces 2, 3)
• Cut (4) 2-1/2″ x 12-1/2″ White rectangles

Block 2 ~ Poinsettia Flowers (2 blocks):

• Cut (4) 2″ x 2″ Kona Peony squares (Template Piece 1)
• Cut (4) 2″ x 3-1/2″ Kona Melon rectangles (Template Piece 4)
• Cut (4) 2″ x 5″ Kona Melon rectangles (Template Piece 6)
• Cut (4) 2″ x 5″ Kona Wine rectangles (Template Piece 8)
• Cut (4) 2″ x 7″ Kona Wine rectangles (Template Piece 9)
• Cut (4) 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ White squares, cutting diagonally from corner to corner, resulting in (8) half square triangles (HST) (Template Pieces 2, 3)
• Cut (8) 1-3/4″ x 3″ White rectangles (Template Pieces 5, 7)
• Cut (4) 4-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ White squares, cutting diagonally from corner to corner, resulting in (8) half square triangles (HST) (Template Pieces 10, 11)
• Cut (4) 3-1/2″ x 12-1/2″ White rectangles

Block 3 ~ Snowflakes (2 blocks):

• Cut (4) 2-3/4″ x 7″ Kona Bahama Blue rectangles (Template Piece 1A)
• Cut (4) 3-1/2″ x 5″ Kona Cyan rectangles (Template Piece 1B)
• Cut (8) 3″ x 4-1/2″ White rectangles (Template Piece 2A, 3A)
• Cut (4) 4″ x 8-1/2″ White rectangles (Template Piece 4A)
• Cut (8) 3-1/2″ x 4″ White rectangles (Template Piece 2B, 3B)
• Cut (4) 4-1/2″ x 8-1/4″ White rectangles (Template Piece 4B)
• Cut (2) 3-1/2″ x 12-1/2″ White rectangles

Block 4 ~ Golden Star (1 block):

• Cut (4) 4-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ Kona Buttercup squares
• Cut (4) 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ Kona Yarrow squares
• Cut (4) 3-1/4″ x 3-1/4″ Kona Yarrow squares
• Cut (4) 3-1/4″ x 3-1/4″ White squares
• Cut (20) 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ White squares
• Cut (1) 4-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ White square

Next week join me as we begin piecing our quilt blocks. First up will be the Modern Pine Trees and Poinsettia Flowers quilt blocks. See you then!