Quilted Table Runner using found fabric scraps
A few weeks ago, we stopped at an estate sale and found some fabric scraps, thread, and zippers on one of the tables. There was a ziploc bag with scrap fabric, and I didn’t look very closely – just added it to my box. You can imagine how excited I was when I realized that this little bag was full of precut triangles where the previous owner had started dreaming about a quilt project with these pastel floral prints. I spread out the fabric pieces and started dreaming about what this should become.
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Now came the hard part. If you have ever looked at a pile of fabric pre-cut shapes, you know the feeling. The possibilities are endless. Should this be a quilt? A pillow? A tote bag? This feeling is even more pronounced when I realize that someone else had already dreamed of what these fabric shapes should be used for.
I decided to stick with the basic bow tie design and see how many squares I would end up with.
Materials Needed:
- Quilt fabric pieces
- Fabric or quilt bias for the binding
- Low-Loft batting
Once I had used them all, I laid them out on the floor to see what size I was looking at and realized this could be a 36″ square lap or baby blanket. But honestly, I wasn’t really convinced that was the best option.
I considered making a toss pillow but wasn’t really feeling that either. Then I looked at my kitchen table and thought about a simple table runner for my fruit bowl and flowers. Now I had the direction.
I decided on a two-row pattern of four blocks, sewed them together, and then found a fat quarter I had rescued from a thrift store earlier this summer for only .25. This was the perfect piece to use for the backing.
Now I was left with the binding. Should I use the cream floral strips that I found in the Ziploc bag at the estate sale or a white binding from another yard sale? I decided to keep this true to the original quilter’s plan and use the cream fabric strips and I am really pleased with how it turned out.
Real Life Tip: One of the things that can slow a project down faster than anything else is making a decision about color or design. When you have a project and you are excited to make it – just do it. Don’t overthink the colors, the binding, the pattern. Just sew it!
I’m so pleased with my new table centerpiece for my cut flowers and bowl of fruit. And honestly? Now that I know how easy this was, I think I’ll make another one.
Now I’m already planning what to do with the rest of the pieces. Maybe some placemats to match the table runner? What would you do with the remaining pieces?
