Nancy Zieman The Blog - Patriotic Table Runner Sewing Tutorial by the Stitch it! Sisters

Sew a Celebrate Table Runner Sewing Tutorial at the Nancy Zieman Productions Blog by the Stitch it Sisters

Patriotic Table Runner Sewing Tutorial by the Stitch it! Sisters

May 25, 2024

Sew A Celebration with our Patriotic Quarter-Square Triangles Table Runner and our easy sewing tutorial by the Stitch it! Sisters! Our Patriotic Table Runner goes together in a couple evenings of sewing and features twenty-eight 4″ quarter-square triangle quilt blocks. Plus shop patriotic fabrics and more at ShopNZP.com.

Watch Stitch it! Sisters Program 213 Patriotic Quarter-Square Triangles Table Runner

Watch Stitch it! Sisters Program 213, Patriotic Quarter-Square Triangles Table Runner Tutorial Video with hosts Deanna Springer and Dana Casey from Team NZP! In this video, the Stitch it! Sisters share Nancy Zieman’s tried and true methods for creating triangle blocks – without ever cutting a triangle!

Buy it! Buy Sewing Tools, Sewing Patterns, Sewing Fabrics and More at ShopNZP.com by Nancy Zieman Productions Then, head over to ShopNZP.com and purchase our Patriotic Quarter-Square Triangles Table Runner Bundle Box that includes the Land of Liberty Fabric Fat Quarter Bundle by My Mind’s Eye For Riley Blake Deigns, 3/4 yd. top and binding fabric, 3/4 yd. backing fabric and Pellon® Fleece Batting, and exclusive NEW! Sew a Celebration Quarter-Square Triangles Table Runner Sewing Pattern by Team NZP – with step-by-step instructions and color photos/ illustrations. Includes everything you’ll need to make one Patriotic Quarter-Square Triangles Table Runner! You’ll supply the thread.

Watch Stitch it! Sisters Program 213 Patriotic Quarter-Square Triangles Table Runner

Watch Stitch it! Sisters Program 213, Patriotic Quarter-Square Triangles Table Runner Tutorial Video with hosts Deanna Springer and Dana Casey from Team NZP! Learn how to make our easy Patriotic Table Runner and Celebrate Summer Sewing!

Stitch it! Sisters Patriotic Quarter-Square Triangles Table Runner Sewing Tutorial

by the Stitch it! Sisters

Patriotic Quarter-Square Triangles Table Runner Sewing Tutorial Supplies

Exclusive Patriotic Quarter-Square Triangles Table Runner Bundle Box by the Stitch it! Sisters

No-Hassle Triangle Ruler by Team NZP
Clover’s No-Hassle Triangle Gauge by Nancy Zieman
Clover’s Heart Shape Pins and Heart-Shaped Magnetic Pin Caddy
Clover’s Fabric Marking Pen or Erasable Gel Pen
Clover’s Fine White Marking Pen
Clover’s Straight Tailor’s Awl/Stiletto
Clover’s Bordeaux Scissors
June Tailor’s Quilter’s Starch Savvy
June Tailor’s Quilt Basting Spray
Iron
Tailor’s Clapper
Cotton Quilting Thread
Schmetz Chrome Quilting Needles, Sz. 75
Schmetz Super Nonstick Needles, Sz. 90
Schmetz Metallic Needles, Sz. 80
Rotary Cutter, and Mat
1/4″ Patchwork Presser Foot
Open Toe Presser Foot
Edge Joining Presser Foot
Optional: Metallic Nylon Thread
Optional: Clover’s Wonder Pins

Easily make half-square triangle blocks using the No-Hassle Triangles Ruler. There’s no hassle and no need to cut a single triangle! The measurements are printed on the No-Hassle Triangles Ruler – designed by Team NZP.

Mark block sets using Clover’s No-Hassle Triangles Gauge and fabric marking pen. The left side of the gauge is designated to create 1/2-square triangle blocks. Depress button on sliding portion of the gauge and move to size of the desired 1/2-square triangle.

Prepare your fabrics! Pre-shrink fabrics by steaming and pressing. Then, stabilize fabrics for the sewing process by pressing and starching fabrics with Quilter’s Starch Savvy.

Patriotic Quarter-Square Triangles Table Runner

Approximate finished size: 24″ W x 40″ L

Cut Fabrics and Supplies

Prior to cutting center front and backing fabric rectangles, first measure your completed Block Rows. If your Block Rows are different measurements – adjust your center rectangle measurements accordingly.

Cut one 16-1/2″ x 32-1/2″ rectangle from dark coordinating fabric for table runner center.

Cut fabric backing rectangle approximately 26″ x 42″ (or larger).

Cut fleece batting rectangle approximately 26″ x 42″ (or larger).

Pair light/medium fat quarters with dark fat quarters making assorted sets.
Place fat quarter sets right sides together. Press.

Using the No-Hassle Triangle Ruler, rotary cutter and mat, cut one 5-1/4″ crosswise fabric strip from each of the fat quarter sets.

From each of the crosswise fabric strips, subcut one or more 5-1/4″ square sets. Set aside.

Subcutting strips into squares is also known as creating block sets. This table runner requires only 14 block sets!

Team NZP selected the following block set combinations:

Subcut four 5-1/4″ squares, for corner block sets, and layout in columns as show below.
Pair left column square with right column square, to create corner block sets.

Subcut eight 5-1/4″ squares, for “Four Block” row sets, and layout in columns as shown below.
Pair each left column square with right column square, to create block sets.

Subcut sixteen 5-1/4″ squares, for “Ten Block” row sets, and layout in columns as shown below.
Pair each left column square with right column square, to create block sets.

Create Half-Square Triangle (HSTs) Quilt Blocks for Outer Borders

Align one light/medium 5-1/4″ square with one dark 5-1/4″ square, right sides together, as shown above.

Set Clover’s No-Hassle Triangles Gauge at the 4-1/2″ quarter-square setting, and place on block set – matching corner marks of gauge with corners of block sets.
Mark fabric through center die cut openings, with a fabric marking pen. Optional: Pin.

Repeat steps above and mark remaining block sets.

Stitch Blocks

Attach 1/4″ Patchwork Presser Foot to machine.
Insert new Schmetz Chrome Quilting Needle, Sz. 75.
Set machine for a straight stitch with a 2.0–2.5 mm stitch length.
Align 1/4″ presser foot along one side of center marked line. Stitch. Do not cut the threads.

“Kiss” the next block set to the stitched block, and chain stitch from one block to the next block.

Use Clover’s Stilletto/Awl to assist with guiding blocks under presser foot.

Rotate blocks 180 degrees, and stitch along the second side of center marked lines.

Continue chain stitching until all block sets are stitched.
Clip threads between chain stitched blocks with scissors.

Using rotary cutter, ruler, and mat, cut blocks apart along center marked lines.

Press seams flat, then press seams to the dark side of the half-square blocks. Use a Tailor’s Clapper to flatten and set seams!

Each block set makes two half-square triangles!

Repeat steps above and create twenty-eight half-square blocks:

Four Corner block sets.

Eight “Four Block” row sets.

Sixteen “Ten Block” row sets.

Create Quarter-Square Triangle Blocks (QSTs)

Align two half-square triangle blocks, right sides together, aligning opposing colors and centers.

Set Clover’s No-Hassle Triangles Gauge, at 4-1/2″ half-square setting, and place on block set – matching corner marks of gauge with corners of block sets.
Mark fabric through center die cut openings, with a fabric marking pen.

Repeat steps above and mark remaining block sets. Optional: Pin.

Stitch Blocks

Align 1/4″ presser foot along one side of center marked line. Stitch. Do not cut the threads.
“Kiss” the next block set to the stitched block, and chain stitch from one block to the next block.

Use Clover’s Stilletto/Awl to assist with guiding blocks under presser foot.

Rotate blocks 180 degrees, and stitch along the second side of center marked lines.
Continue chain stitching until all block sets are stitched.
Clip threads between chain stitched blocks.

Cut blocks apart along center marked lines.

Press seams flat, then press seams to one side. Use a Tailor’s Clapper to flatten and set seams!

Repeat steps above with remaining block sets.
Each block set makes two quarter-square triangles!

Create Outer Border Block Rows

Create two “Ten Block” rows. Approximate finished size: 4-1/2″x 40-1/2″.
Layout quarter-square triangle block rows as shown, rotating blocks as necessary. Note: Each “Ten Block” row begins and ends with a corner block.

Stitch Block Pairs

Place two blocks right sides together. Pin. Stitch with a scant 1/4″ seam allowance.
Continue placing block pairs right sides together, chainstitching from one block set to the next. Clipping threads between block pairs.
Press seams flat, then press seams open.

Place block pairs, right sides together. Pin.
Continue placing block pairs right sides together, chainstitching from one block set to the next. Clipping threads between block sets.
Press seams flat, then press seams open.

Place block sets, right sides together. Pin. Stitch.
Place remaining block pair to row end, with right sides together. Pin. Stitch.
Press seams flat, then press seams open.

Repeat steps above and create second “Ten Block” row. Set aside.

Create two “Four Block” rows. Approximate finished size: 4-1/2″ x 16-1/2″.
Layout quarter-square triangle blocks as shown, rotating blocks as necessary.

Place two blocks right sides together. Pin. Stitch.
Chainstitch from one block set to the next. Clip threads between block pairs.
Press seams flat, then press seams open.

Place block pairs right sides together. Pin. Stitch.
Press seams flat, then press seams open.

Repeat steps above and create second “Four Block” row.

Arrange completed “Four Block” and “Ten Block” outer border block rows as shown.

Assemble and Finish Table Runner

Double check center rectangle width measurement by measuring the width of your “Four Block” rows.

Double check center rectangle length by finding the measurement between the first and last seam of your “Ten Block” rows – then add 1/2″ for seam allowances.

Adjust your center rectangle measurements as needed.
Cut one 16-1/2″ W x 32-1/2″ L rectangle for table runner center.

Place one “Four Block” row to one short end of center rectangle, with right sides together. Pin. Stitch.

Place remaining “Four Block” row, to remaining short end of center rectangle, with right sides together. Pin. Stitch.

Press seams flat, then press seams towards center table runner. Use a Tailor’s Clapper to flatten and set seams!
Place one “Ten Block” row to one long edge of table runner assembly, with right sides together. Pin. Stitch.

Place remaining “Ten Block” row to remaining long edge of table runner assembly, with right sides together. Pin. Stitch.
Press seams flat, then towards center of table runner.

Cut Backing and Batting

Cut fabric backing and quilt batting rectangles approximately 27″ W x 42″ L ea. (or larger).

Layer quilt backing (wrong side up), the Pellon Fleece Batting, and the table runner quilt top (right side up) – to create a quilt sandwich.
Optional: Spray-baste quilt layers with June Tailor’s Quilt Basting Spray or, pin–baste layers together with Clover’s Wonder Pins!
Quilt Layers using your favorite quilting techniques.
Finish quilt, using your favorite binding technique. Find Nancy Zieman’s favorite binding method at the Nancy Zieman Productions Blog: http://www.nancyzieman.com/blog/quilting-2/how-to-bind-quilts/

Embellish your Table Runner with Star Quilting!

Download and print Team NZP’s FREE! All Star Stitching Guide Printable PDF!

Optional: Trace All Star Stitching Guides on to Templar Heat Resistant Template Material for repeated uses!

Trace and cut out All Star Stitching Guides in three sizes.
Arrange All Star Stitching Guides, as desired, on quilt top.
Trace around edges of All Star Stitching Guides with Clover’s Fine White Marking Pen.
Thread sewing machine with Metallic Nylon Thread, insert a Schmetz Metallic Needle, Sz. 80, and set machine for a 3.0 mm stitch length.
Stitch on marked lines, using Open Toe Presser Foot.

Using an Edge Joining Presser Foot, “stich in the ditch” – where the block rows meet the center rectangle.

Your Patriotic Quarter-Square Triangle Table Runner is complete!

And/Or, embellish your Patriotic Table Runner with Appliqués ! Bonus download our FREE! Americana Appliqués Printable PDF!

Patriotic Quarter-Square Triangles Table Runner Sewing Tutorial Supplies

Exclusive Patriotic Quarter-Square Triangles Table Runner Bundle Box by the Stitch it! Sisters

Buy it! Buy Sewing Tools, Sewing Patterns, Sewing Fabrics and More at ShopNZP.com by Nancy Zieman Productions

Then, head over to ShopNZP.com and purchase our Patriotic Quarter-Square Triangles Table Runner Bundle Box that includes the Land of Liberty Fabric Fat Quarter Bundle by My Mind’s Eye For Riley Blake Deigns, 3/4 yd. top and binding fabric, 3/4 yd. backing fabric and Pellon® Fleece Batting, and exclusive NEW! Sew a Celebration Quarter-Square Triangles Table Runner Sewing Pattern by Team NZP – with step-by-step instructions and color photos/ illustrations. Includes everything you’ll need to make one Patriotic Quarter-Square Triangles Table Runner! You’ll supply the thread.