
No-Hassle Triangles Summer Table Runner Tutorial
Make an easy-to-sew table runner (or wall hanging!) with a few fabric rectangles, half-square triangles, quarter-square triangles, and Team NZP’s FREE! No-Hassles Triangles Table Runner Sewing Tutural – below. With our step-by-step directions, and timesaving notions, we’re confident you’ll add the No-Hassle Triangles 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, the triangle blocks and column strips(fabric rectangles) make for a fast, easy, and no-hassle assembly of this 21″ x 56-1/2″ table topper.
Notions, Fabrics, and Supplies:
- 2-1/4″ yards solid green fabric (background & backing)
- 2/3 yard solid navy blue fabric (triangles & binding)
- Pellon Fleece Batting, 22″ x 58″
- Clover’s No-Hassle Triangles Gauge by Nancy Zieman
- Mechanical pencil or other fine-point marking pen
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 the 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 the 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 the 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 Table Runner
- Layer the quilt backing, seam-side-up, the Pellon 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.
New! 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 New! 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.
Watch Sewing With Nancy online at NancyZieman.com
Tune in and watch Nancy demonstrate how to make Half-Square Triangles and Quarter-Square Triangles.
Please share a comment below, and let us know about your next quilting project, for a chance to be the random winner of a No-Hassle Triangles Gauge from Clover.
The randomly selected winner of a NEW! I Sew For Fun 5-in-1 Sliding Gauge from Clover, is Hannah W.
Her comment is: What a fun crayon quilt! My daughter and I are still in the midst of her doll quilt project. She also has a needlepoint project going…
Enter the Nancy Zieman Productions 2019 Fall Table Runner Sewing Challenge!
All youth, age 15 and under, are invited to participate in the NEW! 2019 I Sew For Fun Kids’ Sewing Challenge! Enter the challenge by purchasing the Official 2019 I Sew For Fun Kids’ Sewing Challenge Cinch Sack Kit, at the NEW! NZP Shop. Quantities are limited! Find challenge details in the September 24th NZP Blog Posting.
Show us What You’re Making! We love to hear from you, so whether you’ve tried one of Nancy’s Sewing Patterns, or you’re planning on stitching a project you’ve seen on Sewing With Nancy or on The Nancy Zieman Productions Blog, share your experiences and photos with us on Facebook or Instagram!
Happy Quilting!
Team Nancy Zieman
Nancy Zieman Productions. LLC.
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Ennis A Weeks
I’m working on my first ever Quilt top. So I’m sure the Triangle Gauge would be a great help!!! Thanks.
Lorna DeSantis
My next project is a set of placemats.
Sharon
Finish hanging I’m working on and then do a larger quilt.
Nancy Lewis
I really need this triangle gauge. I struggle with half square triangles and am making a quilt that has lots in it. Thanks for the great tutorial on the table runner.
Joyce
My next quilting project I want to make is a table runner for my coffee table.
P. Donaldson
I have purple and lime green material which I will use for this,
Rita Skraba
My next quilting project is a baby quilt for my newest great niece.
Clovis
I have some scrappy blocks that I want to piece together for a bed quilt.
Susan Spiers
I’m thinking about making a house block quilt, with the right fabric, this can be so much fun!
Eva Osmun
This is an awesome tool! Thanks for the wallhanging instructions. I’ve been looking for one that my daughter would like. This is it!
Betty Manoulian
I’ve had this tool for a long time and it has proved to be invaluable and it has given me 100% confidence when marking fabric.
Martha O.
Finishing a challenge quilt (1 fabric provided by guild) with a mythical animal.
Patti Z.
My next project is a table runner for my sister. It has triangles in it, so this tool would be a great help to me, as I struggle to get them accurate. Thanks!
Dixie
I am working on a large quilt that I need to finish for my daughters birthday.
Hannah W
I have a Christmas quilt next in my sewing queue
Shirley Clark
I love this tutorial! Now I understand the use for the ruler.
Laura M
Great tutorial for the ruler which has always fascinated me. My next project is an eye-spy quilt with a star motif.
Bev Bolduc Aldridge
Triangle Gauge would be a great help as would the Ultimate Quilt and Stitch Pressure foot if it fit my machine. I am working on a number of quilts and any could only be improved by more accurate measuring and quilting aides. Many quilting styles are always being used in ALL my sewing projects. Yes I know the pressure foot is not in your drawing…. Just wishing it was since straighter quilting lines would make for more balanced finished quilts. Thank you team Nancy Zieman.
Teri
My next project is a quilt for my grandson incorporating some of his favorite super heroes.
Barb K
I am doing a mystery quilt which has a lot of Flying Geese–that ruler would be a great helper!
Janet
I am trying to plan a winter table runner with trees and snow. I must keep it simple so that I will finish it.
Carolyn T
I plan to make a springtime table runner for a game prize. Party is in December.
Cindy
I am planning a sofa quilt for a friend who helped me when I really needed it..
Cynthia T
I am working on my “Over The River and Through The Woods” Quilt. I’m excited that I completed all the hand embroidery and am ready to sew it all together. Yay!
Bonnye
Starting to work on some Christmas gifts.
Jean G-B
I’ve been shopping in my closet lately and just came up with some hand dyed solids and a free pattern on the internet, Couldn’t be better!
Lorraine Alves
I will be working on a pumpkin table runner for the autumn holidays. I enjoy learning from the tutorials provided by Sewing With Nancy and from the original shows.
Leslie Marling
I am currently working on a fall wall hanging, then I need to bind a king size quilt that I tied last week. I will go back to baby quilts and then to Christmas gifts. So many projects, so little time!
Jennifer Fried
My next project will be making seatbelt buffers for your neck. These are easy to make and protect your neck from the sharp edge of the seatbelt. I am making them for family and friends for Christmas. Love to sew ! The Old sew n sew.
CARLA
I am working on an embroidered baby quilt for my great-grandson who will be one in October. I would love to win the No-Hassle Triangle Gauge from Clover as I think it would improve my triangles so they would be perfect for any quilt I would want to make. Just love this site and PBS TV for showing me Nancy to help me to learn to sew BETTER!!!
Anita P.
Could have a lot of fun making the table runner. Would love to try the tool. Would be a big help in designing baby blankets for the grandbabies.
Anita P.
My current project is a baby quilt featuring airplanes. Then I will go back to the finish the fish motif wall hangings for my husband that I started before the grandbabies showed up this year.
Susan
Currently working on a wallhanging for Thanksgiving. Not sure which family member will get the turkey!
Donna Fecteau
My next quilting project is a baby quilt. They are always my favorite thing to make.
beth d.
I am working on a mystery quilt for my quilt group. Could use that gauge.
Julie Kill
I’ve been working with Hexagons that I’ve designed and pieced lately, but my next quilt will be a Native American theme with the bold geometric triangles and squares. ( Inspired by the quilt kits from Nancy’s Notions- Call of the Wild, 4 Corners Brown and Prairie Thunder) Thank you for continuing to make it easier to create!
Julie Kill
My last quilt was a pieced hexagon project that I designed. The next quilt will be a Native American themed quilt with the bold geometric shapes. This quilt will be inspired by the following quilt kits from Nancy’s Notions: “Call of the wild Oak Border” kit; The ” Prairie Thunder ” quilt kit borders; and the “Four Corners Brown Quilt” top kit. THANK YOU for continuing to make sewing easier for everyone!
Lee Ann Wagner
I would like to start a Christmas table runner.