Star blocks set on point with sashing and to top it off perfect Sashiko stitching! What could be prettier for your fall table? Make yours with 3-5 stars depending on the length of the table. Finished runner as shown is approximately 79” x 21”. Download printable instructions.
Materials:
- AccuQuilt GO! Cutter (Optional)
- Triangles in Square 3” Die for AccuQuilt 55027
- Square 3-½ ” Die for AccuQuilt 55006
- Square 2” Die for AccuQuilt 55022
- 2” Strip Die for AccuQuilt 55025
- ¼ Yard of 3 to 5 different fabrics 45” wide for the stars (one of these fabrics will also be used for the accent squares in the sashing around the blocks)
- 1 Yard background fabric
- ½ Yard for sashing between blocks
- 1 Yard for border and binding
- 1-1/8 Yards 45” fabric for backing
- Warm & Natural cotton batting
- All Purpose sewing thread for piecing
- Madeira Cotona 30wt. cotton thread for Sashiko stitching
- Wash out fine line marker
- 9” x 9” piece of Do-Sew Pattern Tracing Cloth or tissue paper
- Quilt basting spray (Optional)
Tools:
Steps:
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Cutting & piecing for each star block (seams are 1/4" wide):
For each star block cut: • 1 - 3½” square from star fabric (A) • 4 – small triangles from star fabric (B) • 4 – small triangles from star fabric (B reversed) • 4 – large triangles from background fabric (C)
All seams are ¼” wide
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1 - 3½” square from star fabric (A)
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4 – small triangles from star fabric (B)
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4 – small triangles from star fabric (B reversed)
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4 – large triagles from background fabric (C)
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To construct each star lay small triangle B on top of large triangle C and stitch together with ¼” seam.
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Press seam away from large triangle. Stitch remaining small triangle on the opposite side in the same way. Make four sets of these blocks for each star.
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Once these sets have been sewn lay the block pieces out in front of you in the way that they will be sewn next.
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In your first row you will have an A block a pieced B/C block and another A block; second row B/C A (star center) B/C; final row A B/C A.
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Stitch these pieces together starting with the top row.
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Once all rows have been completed stitch the rows together taking the time to press in between each row of stitching. Complete each star block in the same way.
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Lay all of your blocks on a table as you want them to appear in your finished table runner.
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Cut 6 blocks out of your background fabric 9½” square. Cut 4 diagonally corner to corner for the half squares. Lay them in position around the star blocks.
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From the remaining 2 blocks cut the 4 corner pieces.
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Cut 5 strips 2” wide for the sashing around each star block. Cut 20-9½” long pieces from the strips.
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Cut 16-2” square blocks for accent blocks between sashing out of one of the star fabrics.
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Beginning with the first star block sew one strip of 2” wide fabric along one edge of the block.
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Press away from the block. Sew a 2” wide piece of sashing fabric on the opposite side of the star block.
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Sew one 2” square accent fabric to each end of one 9½” strip. Sew this to one of the remaining edges of the block.
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Do the same for the opposite side. Border all of the star blocks in this same way.
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Following the photograph seam the background fabric half blocks to the star blocks working in diagonal rows. Seam the rows together as you complete each strip.
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Cut 5 - 3” wide strips of fabric from your border fabric. Seam together as needed to achieve the length required.
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You will need to add one 3” border to each long edge first then add the 3” border to the two remaining short sides of the table runner.
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Sashiko Stitch Quilting:
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Now that the table runner has been constructed we are ready to mark the table runner for quilting.
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To replicate the star design in the plain quilt blocks lay your 9” x 9” piece of Do Sew Pattern Tracing cloth or Tissue Paper over one of the completed star blocks.
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With a ruler and your wash out marker trace the outline of the star completely.
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Remove the tracing paper from your project. Go over the lines with a ball point pen so that you can see them clearly.
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This next step can be used with a light box if you have one. Lay the piece of tracing material under one of the blank blocks.
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You should be able to see the lines that you have drawn clearly.
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Using a wash out marker trace the lines that are on your template so that they can be seen well enough to follow.
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Fill in all of the blank blocks with lines that can be stitched with your Sashiko machine.
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Layer your table runner with quilt batting in between the backing and the top that you have pieced and marked.
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Use a quilt basting spray or your preferred method of holding your layers together to make sure that there will be no shifting of fabric once you start your quilting.
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You may choose to set your Sashiko at the stitch length and spacing of your choice. For this sample 2.5 length and spacing were selected.
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Wind your bobbin with the Madeira Cotona 30 wt thread in the color you have chosen and place it in the machine according to the manufacturer’s directions.
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Your presser foot height should be at 3. This setting will allow the machine to work as though there is a “walking” foot on it.
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Stitch on all the lines that you have drawn. Also you can stitch around the outside of the star and pieced blocks if desired.
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Remember to hand tie all thread on the back of the runner to prevent stitches from working free over time.
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When all quilting has been completed cut binding strips and apply according to your preferred method.