
No-Hassle Triangles Summer Table Runner Sewing Tutorial
Make an easy-to-sew table runner (or wall hanging!) with a few fabric rectangles & squares, half-square triangles, quarter-square triangles, and Team NZP’s FREE! No-Hassles Triangles Summer Table Runner Sewing Tutorial – below. With our step-by-step directions, and timesaving sewing tools, we’re confident you’ll add the No-Hassle Triangles Summer Table Runner to your stitching projects to-do list.
Made in the same style as the quilt projects featured in Nancy Zieman’s Quick Column Quilts book, the triangle blocks and column strips(fabric rectangles & squares) make for a fast, easy, and no-hassle assembly of this 21″ x 56-1/2″ table runner.
Tools, Fabrics, and Supplies:
- 2-1/4″ yards solid green fabric (background & backing)
- 2/3 yard solid navy blue fabric (triangles & binding)
- Mechanical pencil or other fine-point marking pen
- Pellon’s Sew-In Fleece Batting, 22″ x 58″
- Clover’s No-Hassle Triangles Gauge by Nancy Zieman
- Exclusive No-Hassle Triangles Ruler by Team NZP
Cutting Directions:
Green Fabric:
- Cut one 21″ crosswise strip (backing).
- Cut one 10″ crosswise strip (backing).
- Cut one 5-1/4″ crosswise strip (triangles).
- Cut one 4-7/8″ crosswise strip (triangles).
- Cut six 4-1/2″ crosswise strips (background).
Subcut the following from the six green 4-1/2″ background strips:
- Subcut four 4-1/2″ x 4-1/2″ squares.
- Subcut ten 4-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ rectangles.
- Subcut two 4-1/2″ x 10-1/2″ rectangles.
- Subcut four 4-1/2″ x 18-1/2″ rectangles.
- Subcut one 4-1/2″ x 20-1/2″ rectangles.
See green fabric Cutting Diagram Below:
Navy Blue Fabric:
- Cut one 4-7/8″ crosswise strip (triangles).
- Cut one 5-1/4″ crosswise strip (triangles).
- Cut four 2-1/2″ crosswise strips (binding).
First Step, Building the Half-Square Triangle Units
- Create 12 Half-Square Triangle Units using the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge.
- Set theNo-Hassle Triangles Gauge to 4-1/2″ block size on the left side of the gauge. The left side notes Half-Square Triangle sizes. The gauge tells you what size blocks to cut, 4-7/8″.
- Cut 4-7/8″ crosswise strips of green and blue. Layer a 4-7/8″ green strip on a 4-7/8″ blue strip and cut six square pairs, measuring 4-7/8″ x 4-7/8″.
- Position the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge on a pair of squares.
- Use the fine point marking tool to draw a diagonal line.
- Use a 1/4″ presser foot as a guide to stitch 1/4″ from the right and the left sides of the marked line.
- Chain piece these half-square triangle shapes. Stitch one set of squares right after another. After creating a long “chain,” simply clip the threads to separate the units.
- Take the stitched units to the rotary cutting mat and cut the two halves apart along the marked line.

- Open and press the seam allowances to the darker blue side.

Second, Create Six Quarter-Square Triangle Units
- Set the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge to 4-1/2″ block size on the right side of the gauge. The right side notes Quarter-Square Triangle sizes. The gauge tells you what size blocks to cut, 5-1/4″.
- Cut 5-1/4″ crosswise strips of green and blue. Layer a 5-1/4″ green strip on a 5-1/4″ blue strip and cut square pairs, measuring 5-1/4″ x 5-1/4″.
- Place a blue and green square under the gauge and mark the diagonal line.
- Stitch 1/4″ from the marked line, following the guidelines for the Half-Square Triangle Units, in the first step, above. Cut the units apart and press. These blocks should measure 4-7/8″ x 4-7/8″.
- Lay one Half-Square Triangle block on another, matching right sides. It is important that the diagonal lines lock. You’ll feel this “lock” as the seams meet.

- Set the No-Hassle Triangles Gauge to 4-1/2″ on the left side of the gauge.
- Mark a diagonal line, perpendicular to the seamline.
- Use a 1/4″ presser foot as a guide to stitch 1/4″ from the right and left sides of the marked line.
- Chain piece the three units, stitching one right after another.

- Use rotary cutting tools to cut the units apart.

- Press the Quarter-Square Triangle Units.

Third, Arrange Table Runner Rows
- Arrange the table runner into rows as detailed below.
- Stitch the pieces using 1/4″ seam allowances.
- Assemble the runner by joining the rows to each other, using 1/4″ seam allowances.

- Press the row seam allowances in one direction.
After all five rows are stitched, the No-Hassle Triangles Table Runner top is complete.
Create Backing
Cut the backing piece measuring 10″ x 42″ into two pieces measuring 10″ x 21″ each. Use those two pieces and the larger piece, 21″ x 42″ to assemble the table runner back as described below, using 1/4″ seam allowances.
Quilt and Finish the No-Hassle Triangles Summer Table Runner
- Layer the quilt backing, seam-side-up, Sew-In Fleece Batting, and the table runner quilt top – to create a quilt sandwich. Pin.
- Machine quilt the table runner layers together with straight line machine quilt the table runner with The Ultimate Quilt ‘n Stitch Presser Foot.
The Ultimate Quilt ‘n Stitch Presser Foot designed by Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC for Clover! An all-new presser foot with a built in stitch alignment ruler for guiding rows of parallel stitching. The Ultimate Quilt ‘n Stitch Presser Foot is ideal for parallel-line straight stitching, topstitching, and straight-line machine quilting! Premiering today at the NZP Blog!
- Or, use free-motion quilting to machine quilt the table runner layers together.

- Trim away excess batting and backing fabric.
- Join the 2-1/2″ crosswise strips of blue binding fabric, end-to-end, using 1/4″ seam allowances.
- Press the binding strip in half, lengthwise.
- Bind the table runner, using your favorite technique. Or, use Nancy Zieman’s Easy quilt binding instructions.
NEW! Make our No-Hassle Triangles Summer Table Runner, with our Exclusive No-Hassle Triangles Ruler!
NEW! Create solid square quilt blocks, 1/2 -square quilt blocks, and ¼-square triangle quilt blocks from easy fabric squares – cut with a rotary cutter and our Exclusive No-Hassle Triangles Ruler!
Team NZP’s No-Hassle Triangles Ruler makes five different block sizes – for both 1/2- & 1/4-square triangles: 2-1/2″, 3-1/2″, 4-1/2″, 5-1/2″, and 6-1/2″.
Reference the convenient markings on the No-Hassle Triangles Ruler for cutting solid square quilt blocks, 1/2-square triangles, and 1/4-square triangles.
- Solid Square Quilt Block Cutting Lines are marked on Ruler in GREEN.
- 1/2-Square Quilt Block Cutting Lines are marked on Ruler in PURPLE.
- 1/4-Square Quilt Block Cutting Lines are marked on Ruler in AQUA.
Watch Stitch it! Sisters Program 118 No-Hassle Triangles in Quilts
Watch Stitch it! Sisters Program 118 No-Hassle Triangles in Quilts! Join Deanna as she demonstrates our No-Hassle methods of cutting, marking, and stitching 1/2-square or 1/4-square triangles – without ever cutting a triangle, or guessing at the sizes! Plus see a gallery of quilt blocks and find inspiration for your next quilting project.
Find our No-Hassle Triangles Ruler available at ShopNZP.com!
Visit the Nancy Had a Notion History Exhibit on Display this Summer in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin at The Nancy Zieman Sewing Studio!
Join us at the Nancy Zieman Sewing Studio for our NEW! Patriotic Pillowcase Serger Make-it! Take-it and take home a FREE! Finished Pillowcase!
Beat the heat this summer and sew with The Stitch it! Sisters as they teach Nancy Zieman’s classic timesaving sewing techniques and easysewing methods with fun sewing projects at The Nancy Zieman Sewing Studio! Our classes are ideal for beginners sewists and seasoned sewers alike! Sign up for one or more sewing classes, today at ShopNZP.com.
Our classes include fabrics, use of classroom tools, BERNINA and bernette sewing machines, and everything needed to sew each project! Sign up for one or more sewing classes in store at The Nancy Zieman Sewing Studio or online at ShopNZP.com.
Happy Quilting!
Team Nancy Zieman & The Stitch it! Sisters
Nancy Zieman Productions. LLC.
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