Learn how to make a Stripey Quilted Table Runner with our free tutorial. This Christmas table runner pattern uses pre-cut fabric strips and features machine applique.
One of the very first quilting projects that I tackled in my “blogging career” was this Skinny Quilted Christmas Table Runner. I still remember the day I got the idea to make it and sketched it out on a notepad in my house.
Table of Contents
This project was originally posted on the Moda Bake Shop site and now looking back I realize that I had no idea what I was doing! (well for most of it I knew what I was doing, for one part I totally winged it).
Things went pretty smoothly until it was time to quilt the runner. I decided that since I had NO idea how to machine quilt that I’d just put the runner in the hoop of my embroidery machine and quilt it one section at a time.
Great idea, in theory…. the stitches were all even and perfectly lined up.
Bad idea in practice. It took me almost a week to move that LONG table runner through the hoop on my machine. Stitch one square, move the runner, stitch another square, move it again… etc.. over and over and over again. It took a long time to create this holiday table runner, mostly due to the quilting design I chose.
After all of that work, I was so sick of looking at it that I didn’t even know if I liked it anymore. Now several years later I can say that it is one of my favorite Christmas decorations. I think it’s a beautiful table runner that I look forward to placing on the table next to my Christmas Tree every year.
Merry & Cheer Christmas Table Runner Pattern
I’ve gone through and cleaned up the free pattern and added more instructions when needed. I also created a PDF document with the words on it – the font is not a 100% match but it’s pretty dang close. It should save you some time if you make it since you won’t need to design them yourself on the computer first.
How to get the PDF of the Applique Shapes
How to Get the Printable Pattern Pieces. You can get a copy of the pattern pieces used in this project in our Template Library. Access to the library is for our Newsletter subscribers, and subscriptions are free. Please visit this page and follow the instructions to get the pattern pieces. PLEASE READ the instructions on that page. NOTE: The PDF only contains the pattern piece; you still need to read this tutorial to complete your project.
Quilted Table Runner Supplies
- 1 roll of color 1 ½″ wide strips (sometimes called a honeybun) you can also cut the strips from yardage if you like, the number required are listed below, however you won’t get as much variety in the prints)
- 10 Fat Quarters (for words) OR one Charm Pack (sometimes called a 5″ stacker). If you want your words to have the same fabric on every letter use fat quarters, if you want the fabrics to be varied, use the charm pack.
- 1 roll of White 2 ½″ wide strips (sometimes called a jelly roll)
- 2 yds white fabric for backing
- ¼″ yd. or 1 fat quarter, blue fabric for binding on tree skirt
- Buttons
- Heat n Bond Lite
- Batting (I used quilters dream cotton)
- Get with the templates for the WORD blocks, get it on the templates page for free or make your own at home with a font that you like.
- Download the Holly Shapes here (I reduced them by 50%)
Free Table Runner Instructions
Step One: Sort the Strips by Color & Create Striped Blocks
From your roll of 1 ½″ strips, collect 5 strips each of 4 different color ways. I used blues, greens, reds & browns.
If you are cutting yardage, you’ll want to cut twenty, 1 ½″ strips in 4 different color schemes.
Start by working with one color scheme at a time.
Arrange the strips in a pattern that you like, and sew together with a ¼″ seam. Press seams to one side.
Cut the sewn strip into three, 14″ pieces, cutting off selvage edges.
Repeat with the other 3 colors.
You will have 3 blocks each of 4 different colors (for a total of 12 blocks).
Step Two: Sew White Strips together
Sew two white jelly roll strips together. Cut into 14″ pieces (same as you did for the honeybun pieces, remember jelly roll strips are wider, 2 ½″ wide).
Repeat this 4 times so that you have a total of then white blocks each 2 strips tall x 14″ wide.
Step Three: Cut
Two 14″ pieces from 1 white jelly roll strip.
Note: I quilted this on an embroidery machine so I didn’t have much control over where the stitches went, if you are going to free-motion quilting the runner, BEFORE you sew your blocks together, skip to the applique steps below. It will be easier to applique the white blocks before they are sewn with the colored blocks.
Sew blocks together. This is the color arrangement that I used, but you can change yours to your taste (it would also look nice going dark to light)
- 1: One 14″ white jelly roll strip
- 2: Brown
- 3: White
- 4: Red
- 5: White
- 6: Green
- 7: White
- 8: Blue
- 9: White
- 10: Red
- 11: White
- 12: Green
- 13: White
- 14: Blue
- 15: White
- 16: Red
- 17: White
- 18: Green
- 19: White
- 20: Blue
- 21: White
- 22: Brown
- 23: 1 – 14″ Jelly roll strip.
You will have 1 brown block left over, you can use it if you need to make your runner longer.
Layer runner with batting and backing and quilt as desired, I quilted mine with an interlocking circle pattern.
How to add the Applique
Print out the document with the words. Trace onto the paper side of paper-backed fusible web, (make sure you cut the letters mirrored) cut out loosely, then press onto the wrong side of your fat quarters. Cut out more precisely.
Peel off the paper backing from the letters and arrange it on the white blocks in the table runner. When you’ve got them in a spot that you like, iron them in place.
This is how I laid out the appliques on my runner: The color in parentheses is the color I cut the applique out of the fabric.
- 1: trees (green)
- 2: “merry” (red)
- 3: ornaments (blue)
- 4: “bright” (blue)
- 5: peppermints (red/white)
- 6: “cheer” (blue)
- 7: holly leaves (green)
- 8: “joy” (red)
- 9: trees (green)
- 10: “jingle” (brown)
After you iron the appliques onto the runner. Stitch around each with a straight stitch. I just used raw edge applique with a straight stitch. I am okay if it frays (I actually prefer that look for this project).
Bind using leftover strips.
Sew buttons for the holly berries.
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Mini Christmas Tree Skirt – Free Pattern
Kathy E. says
Thank you, Melissa, for the tutorial! This looks like a great project I can take on for next year. It is adorable!
Ann says
Where would I go to buy that type of fabric- the coordinating honey bun and fat quarters? It is beautiful.
Lynn says
Your table runner is beautiful
Jackie says
Thank you for the tutorial! Love your table runner….
Kiss Marianne says
Hi, Melissa, what a beautiful Table runner – thank you very much the tutorial!
Have a nice day tomorrow!
With love
Marianne
Kimberly T. says
This is beautiful, so fun!! Thank you so much for sharing!
Lucy Pellegrino says
Hi. this is really cute. Unfortunately the links in the applique area aren’t working. Can you point me to more details on this and Camilles Patterns? Thanks. I figure if I start this now, I might be finished in time for Christmas! 😉
Kathie Haney says
You are using my favorite Christmas fabric ever – Figgy Pudding! I still look for remnants online, I’ve never found a Christmas line I loved as much as that one. 🙂 I wish they would reprint it.
I know! I get so many emails from people asking me where they can get the fabric!
Myssi says
I’m going to be sharing this today on The Things She Sews fb page. It’s beautiful!
Courtney Travis says
Do you sell these? I want to buy one!
I’m sorry I don’t!
Gail says
great runner
Kiera little says
I absolutely love your Christmas quilted table runner. I have absolutely no idea how to sew, embroider etc but would love to buy something like this. I’ve searched and have found nothing similar. Do you sell these? Or would you be willing to make one and sell it? Thank you!
No, I’m sorry I don’t sell it. You wouldn’t want me to make you one, I’m really really slow, you may get it when I’m 90 *wink*
Michele Brown says
Is there a printer friendly version of the pattern? If so, where?
Do you mean the pattern pieces or the actual pattern? There is not an actual printer friendly pattern. I used to offer those but heard of many many people taking the print off from my site and selling the patterns. If you have a tablet I think that’s the easiest way to follow along with the pattern.
Annette Jones says
I made two of these after reading your post. I made the first one (for my home) using 1.5″ strips for the color sections and 2.5 strips for the white sections, cut to a width suitable for my table. Then I drew some applique templates by hand and found others online for that part. For the font I used a basic font and then embellished it, creating my own. For the second I needed it done in a weekend so I cut the strips even larger and omitted words, opting for all graphic appliques. I’m donating that one to be sold at my job’s fundraiser for families in need. I’m also adding two matching place mats to complete my set.
THANK YOU for sharing such a wonderful project. I’ll be making more for other holidays!
Mary B says
Hi Melissa. I’m just about to start this lovely project after being away from quilting for 30+ years! As I prepare my supplies I’m wondering about:
“1/4″ yd, or 1 fat quarter, blue fabric for binding on tree skirt”
Have I missed something? Not sure why blue binding is needed for this project.
Thanks, and wish me luck —
Oh ignore that. Sorry. This project was originally posted as a “dual” project with the circle tree skirt, I think that line just didn’t get deleted when I split it into two.
Mary B says
Thanks! My strips are sewn and pressed, and I’m about to start the appliqued letters. This is so much fun….
"Sam" says
I am so excited that I found your blog! Love, love, love your Wonderland 2 material. Made the cutest baby quilt.
Now I want to do the quilt sampler with your beautiful material. Have the supplies as it’s going to be one of my “summer projects.”
Teddie says
What is the finished size of the runner? Maybe I missed reading it somewhere. Thanks.
Janet Napora says
Hi Melissa,
I love, love, love this table runner. If I begin now (February) I’ll be able to complete it before Christmas! I’m having difficulty downloading the letters and other graphics for the table runner. Can you offer any help – please! Thank you.
Jan
dianne reynolds says
Where is the pdf for the words and applique for the christnas table runner? Ive looked everywhere. Its very frustrating. thank you.
Nancy says
There are links within the tutorial for the words and the holly; the rest of the applique you will have to find clipart for yourself.
I just finished my top for this project and it is super cute and was easier than I expected. Note, though, that the directions have you add the applique before sewing the blocks together, then later shows the applique being added after the runner is quilted. It would be a good idea to decide ahead of time which method you prefer. I didn’t catch this, so it just pushes me to hand quilt instead of machine quilt. I may still machine quilt the non-appliqued blocks…we shall see.
Hope that helps! The finished product is adorable either way and thanks, Melissa, for providing this fun tutorial!!!
Sharon says
Thanks so much formthe pattern! So cute!
Carmen Montmarquet says
Thank You Melissa for this cute runner, i just love it!!
Dianne Mann says
It doesn’t matter how old this pattern is, I always love to work on one for someone for Christmas. It’s just so beautiful! Thank you so much for the pattern and instructions.