Vintage Tablecloth Holiday Runner – a FREE Tutorial!

When Rose Sheifer, co-author of Vintage Tablecloth Quilts asked if we would like to feature a free holiday table runner tutorial on our blog, we jumped at the chance to see what this talented and clever lady had up her sleeve! I think you will agree that this project is beautiful, easy enough to get done in an afternoon, and an elegant touch to add to your table’s centerpiece this year!

Take it away, Rose!

“Collecting vintage tablecloths is my passion! After creating over a dozen quilts using vintage tablecloths, I realized I had not tapped into the holiday ones. These can be found at garage sales, flea markets, antique shops…not to mention yours or your relative’s linen closet. Probably well-stained too!

Now here’s the thing—they don’t have to “say” Christmas, Hanukah, Kwaanza, etc. They just need to have the colors you want to bring out on your holiday table. The one I found has beautiful bright red and pink poppies with gorgeous greens. As far as choosing your fabric colors—let the tablecloth do the talking. Don’t limit yourself to holiday motifs.

Finish the setting with colorful plates, glasses, flowers and candles. I like to use the vintage tableware I have also been collecting. Guaranteed this holiday runner will get more than one look and be hard to put away when the season ends!

Choose a vintage tablecloth with holiday colors. Then select 3 fabric colors to complement.

Finished Size: 17 1/2˝ x 86˝

Materials:

Vintage tablecloth

Red fabric:  1/2 yard

Green fabric: 1 3/8 yards (includes enough for double-fold 2 1/4˝-wide binding)

Pink fabric: 1/4 yard

Muslin backing: 20˝ x 90˝ (I used a single length. If you piece the backing, the runner doesn’t lie as flat.)

Thin cotton batting, such as Quilters Dream Cotton Batting: 20˝ x 90˝

Cutting:

Vintage tablecloth:

• Fussy cut 12 squares 5 1/2˝ x 5 1/2˝.

Green fabric:

• Cut 2 strips 3 1/2˝ x WOF.* Crosscut 12 pieces 3 1/2˝ x 5 1/2˝.

• Cut 2 pieces 7˝ x 19 3/4˝.

• Cut 2 pieces 13 1/2˝ x 18˝.

Red fabric:

• Cut 2 strips 2˝ x WOF. Crosscut into 6 pieces 2˝ x 8 1/2˝.

• Cut 3 strips 2˝ x WOF.

• Cut 2 pieces 6 1/2˝ x 19 1/4˝.

Pink fabrics:

• Cut 3 strips 2˝ x WOF.

* WOF means “width of fabric”

Assembly instructions:

1. Sew pairs of pink and red fabric strips, 2˝ x WOF, right sides together along a long edge. Press. Make 3 pairs. Crosscut into 12 segments 8 1/2˝ wide.

2. Assemble the blocks for the top row as shown in the diagrams below. Make 3 of each for a total of 6.

3. Assemble the blocks for the bottom row as shown in the diagrams below. Make 3 of each for a total of 6.

4. Mark the center of a red 6 1/2˝ x 19 1/4˝ piece along a vertical side. Draw a line from this point to each opposite corner as shown. Cut the triangle out along the drawn lines. Repeat for the other 6 1/2˝ x 19 1/4˝ red piece.

5. Mark the center of a green 7˝ x 19 3/4˝ piece along a vertical side. Draw a line from this point to each opposite corner as shown. Cut the triangles out along the drawn lines. Repeat for the other 7˝ x 19 3/4˝ green piece.

6. Sew 2 green triangles to a red triangle as shown. Repeat for the other green and red triangles.

7. Sew a green 13 1/2˝ x 18˝ piece to each unit from Step 6 as shown.

8.  Assemble the blocks as shown. First, join the blocks to create 6 columns. Then join the columns.

9. Add the sections from Step 7 to the assembled blocks as shown.

10. Layer, baste, quilt, and bind your table runner.

 

The tendency to overbook ourselves during the holidays can take us away from the creative endeavors we all love to spend time doing. This runner is an easy project and one that will give you so much satisfaction as you bring out your treasured decorations to complement it. How I wish I could see what tablecloth and fabrics you choose! The possibilities are endless. Happy Holidays and Happy Sewing!

Thank you, Rose! And seriously, folks—she really does want to know what you create with her free pattern! Feel free to email it to her at this address: rose @ rosesheifer(dot)com