Maple Street Table Runner

a fast, easy, and FREE table runner tutorial for Fall

Fat Quarter Friendly

This pattern is named after a special place in my life... the street where I grew up.
It was my parents' first home, and a place full of fun family memories.    


To make this table runner you will need 4 different fabrics for the leaves (fat quarters),  
4 complimentary fabrics for the stems (scraps),  a neutral background fabric, 
2 complimentary fabrics for the borders, and 1 for the binding.

For each LEAF block you will need to cut the following:

Leaf Print:
(1) 5" x 5"
(1) 8 1/2" x 4 1/2"
(1) 12 1/2" x 4 1/2"

Background:
(1) 5" x 5"
(2) 4" x 4"
(3) 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"

Stem Print:
(1) 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"


The fasted way to construct the runner is to chain piece the block pieces.
If you prefer to make one block at a time that's okay too.
Please READ each step completely to avoid the seam ripper.

RST = Right Sides Together
HST=  Half  Square Triangle
WOF = Width of Fabric


Use a 1/4" Seam allowance unless otherwise stated.
It's important your 1/4" seam allowance is accurate.   If your seam allowance is too generous your finished pieces will be too small. 

• Click on any photo to enlarge and view details.

1.  Start by drawing a diagonal line on the back of all the 4" x 4" and 5" x 5"  background squares.
    Set aside (4) 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" background squares.
    Draw a diagonal line on the back of the remaining 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" background squares.


2.  Layer a marked 5" background square on a 5" leaf 

      print, RST. Repeat with remaining 5" squares.
     Pin in place.
    (top corner is pinned down for illustration purposes only)

3.  Layer a marked 4 1/2" background square on the left

     end of the 12  1/2" x 4 1/2" leaf print RST.  
     Note the direction of the diagonal line. Pin in place.
     Repeat with remaining 12 1/2" x 4 1/2" leaf prints. 

4.  Layer a marked 4 1/2" background square on the left

      end of  the 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" leaf print RST.
     Note the direction of the diagonal line.  Pin in place.
     Repeat with remaining 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" leaf prints. 

5.  Layer 1 marked 4" background square on a 4 1/2" stem square RST matching the outer corners. (shown in step 8)  Repeat with remaining stem prints. 

6.  Start with the 5" squares, stitch 1/4" from the diagonal line.  
     Turn and stitch on the other side 1/4" from the diagonal line.
    

  

7.  Stitch on the line for all the 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles and the 12 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles.

8.  Stitch on the line for all the 4 1/2" stem prints. 

9.  Time to cut and trim. 

• Cut all the 5" leaf squares in half on the diagonal marked line.
• Trim all the rectangles 1/4" from the stitching line.  Set corners aside for border. 
• Trim all the stem prints a 1/4" from the stitching line. Set pinned portions (triangles) aside for the border.

                        5" leaf square                    leaf rectangles                            stem square
         

10.  Time to press.  Dry Iron, No Steam, No Starch

• 5" leaf square halves: Press to background.  Square up to 4 1/2".  Turn over & press seams open.
• Leaf Rectangles:   Press open to the background.  Turn over and press seams open.
• Stem Square:   Press open to the background. 

11.  Finishing the stem squares.  (do this step for all 4 stem squares.)

       Layer a 4" background square on the opposite corner of the prepared stem square.  
       Pin in place.  Stitch on the line.   Trim 1/4" from the stitching and set aside the pinned   portion.  Press open to the background. 

12.  Layout your leaf block as shown paying attention to the direction of the HSTs in the top row.
       You should have a 4 1/2" background square for the top row you set aside earlier.
       Both HSTs go in the top row. 
       The 12 1/2" rectangle goes in the center.
       The 8 1/2" rectangle goes in the bottom row with the prepared stem. 

13.   Sewing the pieces.

• Start with the top row.   Sew the squares together.  Press open to the left towards the solid background square.
• Center row is already done.
• Sew the leaf rectangle to the stem square.  Press open to the leaf  rectangle. 

14.  Sewing the rows.

• Sew the top row to the middle row.  Press open to the top row. 
• Sew the middle row to the bottom row.  Press open to the center row. 

 note:   if you turn your block over the horizontal seams should be facing up.


TIP:  If you're not sure which way to press, whatever fabric is on top when pressing is the
          direction you are pressing to.   For example, with RST, if the back of the leaf print is on top, you are 
          pressing open to the leaf print. 



15.  Layout your finished leaf blocks.  

       Stitch your blocks together.  Press open to the right toward the HSTs.  

         

16.  Borders

       Your table runner should measure 12 1/2" x 48".   

       I like to cut my border strips a little longer than needed.  I rather trim off a little than run short.

Inner Border:

       From your inner border fabric, cut (3) strips 1 1/2" x WOF.  

       Trim off the selvages and sew all 3 strips together on the 1 1/2" end.  

       Subcut 1 strip 49".  Starting from the opposite end of the strip, subcut 1 strip 49".  

       Cutting from opposite ends will give you the same amount of pieced fabric on each strip. 

       Cut the remainder of the strip in half, OR cut (2) 14 1/2" x 1 1/2" from the remainder.

• Sew the 49" strips on first.  Trim excess.  Press open to the border.
• Sew the short strips on the ends. Trim excess. Press open to the border.

Outer Border: 

       Take the corners (triangles) you trimmed off during construction and stitch them RST together on the cut edge, RST.  Make 10.

       Press open to the background fabric.  Square to 2 1/2" x 2 1/2". 

       Flip the units over and press seams open to help reduce bulk. Stitch 5 prepared HSTs together to create a strip you will sew onto the border strip. Make 2. 

      From your outer border fabric cut (3) 2 1/2" x WOF.  Trim the selvage off.  

• Sew a HST strip to the 2 1/2" end of 1 border strip.  
• Sew a HST strip to the opposite end of another border strip. (see photo below)
  

• Starting at the end with the HSTs, sew on the outer border on both long sides. Trim off excess.  Press open to the inner border.  (note: Pressing this step is easier from the back. Then turn the runner over and press the top.)
• Sew the end border pieces on.  Trim off excess.  Press open to the outer border.

17.   Finishing

        Sandwich your table runner top with a layer of batting and backing fabric.

        Quilt as desired.  Square up.  Bind with your favorite binding method. 

TIP:  Low loft batting is better for a table runner. 

          A crib size batting cut in half lengthwise will make 2 table runners. 

     

I hope you enjoy making this table runner.  I would love to see your creations. 
Please use the following hashtags when posting your photos on Instagram.
#tillalilipatterns
#maplestreetpattern
#maplestreettablerunner

Be sure to tag me too @tillalili.  Thanks! 

As seen on:

Maple Street tutorial designed by Gwen Sager of  Tillalili.

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