Nancy Zieman's Fall Table Runner Sewing Challenge 2016
You are invited to participate in my 2016 Fall Table Runner Sewing Challenge. Sew a fall table runner to showcase your sewing and quilting talents and post an entry below. Table runner entries may feature any fall occasion, color palette, or size that fits on a kitchen or dining room table—use your imagination! Enter one table runner that has been sewn within the last year and has not been entered into a previous Nancy Zieman Table Runner Challenge. You could be a prize winner!
How to Enter
Enter the Fall Table Runner Sewing Challenge by emailing your Table Runner photo to [email protected]. It’s easy!
Go Social with Your Fall Table Runner Sewing Challenge
If you have a website, copy the code above and paste it into your website editor to have the Fall Table Runner Sewing Challenge badge on your site. Or, add the link to your social sites such as Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, or Facebook. Let all your friends know you are working on the Fall Table Runner Sewing Challenge by tagging your post with the hashtag: #NZTableRunner2016
Inspiration: Scattered Squares Table Runner
Now it’s time for artistic expression! The Scattered Squares Table Runner features four different block configurations that are mixed and matched to create a conversation piece. 
Finished size: 21-1/4″ x 56-1/4″
All seams are 1/4″.
Supplies
- 2-1/4 yard Fabric A (gray—patchwork, outer border, binding)
- 5/8 yard Fabric B (print—patchwork)
- 1/4 yard Fabric C (green—inner border)
- 1-7/8 yard 40″–42″ backing fabric
- 1-3/4 yard lightweight cotton batting
Block Variations and Requirements
This table runner includes the following twenty-seven 6-1/2″ blocks (6″ finished). I’ll share step-by-step directions to cut and create each variation. You can find even more design details in my book, Change-Up Patchwork, and while watching the Sewing With Nancy TV show, Change-Up Patchwork.
- Make seven large square center blocks.
- Make six small square center blocks.
- Make five medium offset square center blocks.
- Make nine small offset square center blocks.
Cut Fabrics
From Fabric A (gray—patchwork, outer border, binding)
- Cut six 1-1/2″ crosswise strips (outside larger squares).
- Cut four 2-1/2″ crosswise strips (outside small squares).
- Cut two 1-1/2″ crosswise strips (outside offset medium squares).
- Cut two 2-1/2″ crosswise strips (outside offset medium squares).
- Cut four 1-1/2″ crosswise strips (outside offset small squares).
- Cut four 3-1/2″ crosswise strips (outside offset small squares).
- Cut five 1-3/4″ crosswise strips (outer border).
- Cut five 2-1/2″ crosswise strips (binding).
From Fabric B (print—patchwork)
- Cut one 4-1/2″ crosswise strip (large squares).
- Cut one 2-1/2″ crosswise strip (small squares).
- Cut one 3-1/2″ crosswise strip (offset medium squares).
- Cut one 2-1/2″ crosswise strip (offset small squares).
From Fabric C (green—inner border)
- Cut five 1″ crosswise strips (thin border).
Note from Nancy: In the following four block variation directions, the construction method is identical. It is smart to sort and set aside the sets of cut crosswise strips as they correspond to each block.
Create Strata and Assemble Large Square Center Blocks
- Join strips to form a strata.
- Place one 1-1/2″ Fabric A (gray) strip over one 4-1/2″ Fabric B (print) strip, right sides together.
- Stitch, joining lengthwise edges.
- Press seams toward the outer gray strip.
- Rotate strata 180 degrees.
- Place a second 1-1/2″ Fabric A (gray) strip over the opposite edge of the 4-1/2″ Fabric B (print), right sides together.
- Stitch, joining lengthwise edges, to complete the strata.
- Press seams toward the outer gray strip.
- Subcut strata into seven 4-1/2″ sections for the large square center block.
- Cut two 1-1/2″ crosswise strips into 14 pieces, each 6-1/2″ long.
- Lay one 6-1/2″ piece, lengthwise, on the right side of the cut strata section.
- Join with a 1/4″ seam allowance.
- Chain piece the blocks.
- Lay the remaining 6-1/2″ strips on the opposite length side of the cut strata section.
- Join with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Chain piece blocks.
- Snip threads between chain piecing to separate blocks.
- Press seams toward outer gray fabric.
Create Strata and Assemble Small Square Center Blocks
- Join strips to form a strata.
- Place one 2-1/2″ Fabric A (gray) strip over one 2-1/2″ Fabric B (print), right sides together.
- Stitch, joining lengthwise edges.
- Press seams toward the outer gray strip.
- Rotate strata 180 degrees.
- Place a second 1-1/2″ Fabric A (gray) strip over the opposite edge of the 2-1/2″ Fabric B (print), right sides together.
- Stitch, joining lengthwise edges, to complete the strata.
- Press seams toward the outer gray strip.
- Subcut strata into six 2-1/2″ sections.
- Cut two 2-1/2″ crosswise strips into 12 pieces, each 6-1/2″ long.
- Lay one 6-1/2″ piece, lengthwise, on the right side of the cut strata section.
- Join with a 1/4″ seam allowance.
- Chain piece the blocks.
- Lay the remaining 6-1/2″ strips on the opposite side of the cut strata section.
- Join with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Chain piece blocks.
- Snip threads between chain piecing to separate blocks.
- Press seams toward outer gray fabric.
Create Strata and Assemble Small Offset Square Center Blocks
- Join strips to form a strata.
- Place one 1-1/2″ Fabric A (gray) strip over one 2-1/2″ Fabric B (print), right sides together.
- Stitch, joining lengthwise edges.
- Press seams toward the outer gray strip.
- Rotate strata 180 degrees.
- Place second 1-1/2″ Fabric A (gray) strip over the opposite edge of the one 3-1/2″ Fabric B (print), right sides together.
- Stitch, joining lengthwise edges to complete the strata.
- Press seams toward the outer gray strip.
- Subcut strata into nine 2-1/2″ sections.
- Cut one 1-1/2″ and one 3-1/2″ crosswise strip into nine pieces, each 6-1/2″ long.
- Lay one 3-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ piece lengthwise on the right side of the cut strata section.
- Join with a 1/4″ seam allowance.
- Chain piece the blocks.
- Lay the remaining 1-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ strips on the opposite side of the cut strata section.
- Join with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Chain piece blocks.
- Snip threads between chain piecing to separate blocks.
- Press seams toward outer gray fabric.
Create Strata and Assemble Medium Offset Square Center Blocks
- Join strips to form a strata.
- Place one 2-1/2″ Fabric A (gray) strip over one 3-1/2″ Fabric B (print), right sides together.
- Stitch, joining lengthwise edges.
- Press seams toward the outer gray strip.
- Rotate strata 180 degrees.
- Place second 1-1/2″ Fabric A (gray) strip over the opposite edge of the one 3-1/2″ Fabric B (print), right sides together.
- Stitch, joining lengthwise edges to complete the strata.
- Press seams toward the outer gray strip.
- Subcut strata into five 3-1/2″ sections.
- Cut one 1-1/2″ and one 2-1/2″ crosswise strip into five pieces, each 6-1/2″ long.
- Lay one 1-1/2″ x 6-1/2” piece lengthwise on the right side of the cut strata section.
- Join with a 1/4″ seam allowance.
- Chain piece the blocks.
- Lay the remaining 2-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ strips on the opposite side of the cut strata section.
- Join with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Chain piece blocks.
- Snip threads between chain piecing to separate blocks.
- Press seams toward outer gray fabric.
Arrange 27 Quilt Blocks
- Arrange three rows of nine blocks, alternating center size and block configuration.
- Stitch blocks in each row together. Press all block seams in rows one and three in one direction and press seam in row two the opposite direction.
- Stitch rows together to make the table runner. Press seams.
Add Inner and Outer Borders
Layer, Quilt, and Bind the Quilt
A complete list of prizes will be announced on Sept 3.
- From Baby Lock Sewing: Baby Lock BL9 Sewing Machine, a $199 value
- Complete Mug Rug Kit from June Tailor, a $158 value
- Nancy’s Notions DVD and Book Bundle, a $157 value
- Five Random Winners: F+W Media will provide a copy of The Quilter’s Paper-Piecing Workbook, a $129 value
- Frosted Matt Smartbox by Maderia Thread, a $110 value
- Clover-USA Nancy Zieman Notion Bundle, a $107 value
- Houghton Hall 24 Piece Fat Quarter Assortment sponsored by Riley Blake Fabrics/Penny Rose fabrics, a $72 value
- New FabriFlare Kits by Indygo Junction, a $68 value
Enter the Fall Table Runner Sewing Challenge by adding a photo or photos in the link listed above. It’s easy!
- Email your photo by September 12, 2016, to [email protected].
- Online voting begins September 13, 2016.
- Voting closes on September 18, 2016.
- Elected winners and one randomly drawn winner will be announced September 20, 2016.
Plus, share your comments below about the Fall Table Runner Sewing Challenge and let us know if you plan to join!
Get Stitching!
Email challenge questions to [email protected]. Challenge not open to sponsors, employees, and immediate family members. Photos and techniques may be featured in future promotions, blog posts, videos, and/or TV shows.
Nancy Zieman—author, pattern designer, businesswoman, producer, and national sewing authority—is the host of the popular show Sewing With Nancy®, which appears exclusively on public television stations across the United States and Canada. Follow Nancy’s blog at NancyZieman.com/blog and sign up to receive Nancy’s E-News for the latest news in Sewing, Quilting, Creating, and Block of the Month updates.
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Janice Clarke
Can Canadians submit their table runners?? Thank you j 🙂
Nancy Zieman
Yes!