Garden Pinwheels Quilted Table Runner Tutorial

Welcome to my very first tutorial!!! I was searching for a pattern for a new spring-y table runner and just couldn't find one that suited the fabric I purchased. So, I made one myself!!

The completed runner measures 11" x 55". You can add or omit some blocks to make yours the right size for your table. 

I chose four print fabrics and a crisp white. These fabrics are from the Fresh From the Garden line by M'Liss. You will need about a half yard of each.

Fabrics

For each pinwheel block you will need:
2- 5 7/8" squares print
2- 5 7/8" squares white
For the rail blocks you will need:
2- 5 1/4" x 10" print
2- 5 1/4" x 10" different print
Sashing:
6- 1 1/2" x 10 strips
2- 1 1/2" x 54" strips
Backing & Batting:
14" x 56"

Half-Square Triangles

Make your HST by laying the 5 7/8" white squares on top of your print squares and drawing a line on the diagonal. Sew 1/4" on each side of the line and then cut on the line so you now have 10 HST blocks. Trim them up and iron.

HST trimmed and pressed

Lay out your four HST blocks like the picture below to make a total of three pinwheel blocks. Sew together using the chain-piecing method.

Now, you have you completed pinwheel blocks. I made two the same and one different so I would have the two in the orange on the ends and the red one in the middle. 

Three pinwheel blocks

 Take your 5 1/4" cuts and lay them out like the picture below. I alternated the prints. Sew them together!

Rail block layout

 Now, you have your two completed rail fence blocks!

Completed rail blocks

 Take your six 10" long sashing strips and sew them on each side of your pinwheel blocks. Then, sew your blocks together to get this:

Grab your 56" long shashing strips and sew those to the top and bottom of your runner.

Completed runner top

 Layer your backing, batting, and top. Baste and quilt! Add your binding. I used the yellow word print from the top of the bird in the garden print.

 Enjoy you new lovely spring table runner!!

 I know this little birdie will!

Please don't use this tutorial as your own and always link back to this post if you are going to discuss it on your own blog! Thank you! I hope you enjoy it! Let me know if I made any mistakes or if you have any questions in your comments!

Completed Walker Tote

I finished Granny's walker tote I was telling you about yesterday. The pattern I chose worked perfectly and I am so happy with the end result! I can't wait to give it to her. The pattern came from here, in case you'd like to try it for yourself. The instructions were easy to follow. You do need basic sewing skills. It took me about three hours to complete. Two things I omitted from the pattern were the bottom ties and the middle button.

This was the first time I have ever used my machine to make a buttonhole. I was very pleased with the buttonhole foot and ease of use. I now have no fear of it for when I use it again! Here are a few pictures of the completed tote. I'll share a picture of it on Granny's walker when I give it to her.

Here is the front of it. The pattern called for pre-quilted material for the tote body but I just quilted up the body myself using my free-motion quilting foot. That way I could use the material I wanted and it is cheaper!

Here it is with some stuff in it to show how the pockets are set (three in the front). I like how it has a huge bag area in the middle for lots of things. This could be used as her purse so Granddaddy doesn't have to carry it around, ha!

And here is the back. It has two wider pockets on the outside.

Pretty cute, huh? What do you think?