“Whip it Up Quick” Table Runner + Pattern

My sewing room has had a little bit of a rearrange this past week. And you know how it is when you move things about… you find things which you’ve forgotten that you had.

I found a table runner which I started a couple of years ago, but which I never finished. It started as an impulsive purchase through the Fat Quarter Shop. It was a bundle of Art Gallery fabrics, for a project in a US quilt magazine. It was on clearance, and even though I didn’t have the magazine, I thought “what the heck” and added it to my cart.

Whip it Up Quick Table Runner 1

When I bought my quilt frame, I needed a quick project to have a play with my new toy. I quickly whipped up a very basic and very long table runner with this fabric bundle I’d bought from FQS.
I played with the new machine, quilting swirls and loops here and there… all the while forgetting to put the presser foot down. Yes, you can imagine what came next. The back of it was horrid mountain of thread nests. ARGH! I removed it from the frame, rolled it up and put it away in a fit of disgust… until my cleaning frenzy last week.
I spent ages unpicking the threads. I tried to convince Miss 6 that this was a fun project and that she should have a go at unpicking too. She ran. I visited mum the other day and took the runner and a seam ripper with me and let her have a couple of hours of unpicking fun. I even had hubby in on the unpicking action. Yes, it truly was a family affair.

Whip it Up Quick

Once it was unpicked, I pressed the whole thing with bursts of steam, in the hope of removing the perforations from the previous stitches. It’s a little better, but could probably do with a good wash to further reduce the perforations. If anyone has any other advice on how to reduce or minimize the holes, please let  me know.
I basted and quilted it. Attached the binding and took the kids into going to the park (so that I could get the binding stitched to the back).
It’s now finished (yay!) and has now found a home on my dining table. The runner measures 12” x 84” which is perfect for my table.

Whip it Up Quick Runner

And just in case you’re interested in making your own “Whip It Up Quick” table runner, here are the basic measurements which I used.

Whip It Up Quick Block

Fabric Requirements
Light Blue = 4.5” square
Yellow = (1) 3” x 4.5” and (1) 3” x 7”
Navy Blue = (1) 3” x 7” and (1) x 9.5”
Turquoise = (1) 3.5” x 9.5” and (1) 3.5” x 12.5”
Yardage = 1/4 yard of the light blue, yellow and navy. 3/4 of a yard of the turquoise.
The block is quite simple to put together. Start with the light blue. Sew the shorter yellow strip to the right side and press. Sew the other yellow strip to the top and press. Navy is the same. Sew the shorter navy strip to the right side and press. Sew the other navy strip to the top and press. The same with the turquoise strips.

Whip It Up Quick Table Runner

Now make 7 of these blocks and sew them end to end. Quilt, bind and display it on your dining table… or make one to gift a friend. This is a fun project, which can be finished in an afternoon. I love a quick project, don’t you?

9 comments

  1. Good job! I would have hated to rip out all those stitches. But the end result was worth it.

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  2. Good for you. I don't know how you managed to do all that unpicking, even with help. I go crazy if just a little bundle appears on the bottom of mine. Love your runner. My favourite colours and love the simple and quick design. Thanks for sharing. I'll be trying this one out when I get the time.

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  3. I am forever forgetting to put my presser foot down, but I do find those stitches easy to remove. The holes will disappear in the wash. It looks great by the way!

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  4. You are amazing! I probably would have returned it to my UFO box and figure it was for another time. It couldn't have been more appropriate to see your post as I need a gift for my BFF and this is the perfect runner. I've always been a fan of yours and continue to learn so much from your projects. Many thanks.

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  5. OH this is awesome. Thanks sew much for sharing this. I have been meaning to make a table runner for ages as my one and only is looking very worse for wear but I have been put off by how long. This is going to be a perfect quick project to make once I am feeling better.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kelly,
      If you make one, I'd love a picture xxx

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  6. Are the measurements you give for 1 square and you multiple it 7 times? Probably a dumb question, but I want to be sure before I cut my strips. Thanks! Looking forward to putting this together.

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