Christmas Sampler Quilt Table Runner
I am a total sucker for sampler quilt patterns. I am horrible at repetition so creating a lot of different blocks makes my heart super happy. A sampler quilt is often a really large quilt that walks you through a lot of different blocks. This mini sampler quilt is designed to be turned into a table runner that will make a great addition to your holiday table. BUT don’t forget that you can use any fabrics so this doesn’t have to be a Christmas table runner at all. You could also turn the blocks sideways and make a wall hanging! New to quilting? Check out this free and quick quilting crash course email.
This post was sponsored by JOANN. I have been paid for this post but all ideas and opinions are my own.
Sampler quilt patterns are not hard to find. Beginner sampler quilts with super detailed instructions are a bit trickier! This post is meant to teach even the most beginner quilter how to put together four easy and fun quilt blocks to create a table runner. This table runner is 12″ x 70″ finished.
What you need
Fabric – I have listed each of the individual fabrics I used below. I always give them a name so that I can distinguish between the different fabrics. Click the name of the fabric to be taken directly to the fabric listing.
Wonder Clips (or pins)
Pom Pom Trim (optional)
Batting (optional)
Sampler Quilt Patterns
Log Cabin Block (make 2). For the full tutorial and video walkthrough for this block head HERE.
Flying Geese (make 2). For the full tutorial and video walkthrough for this block head HERE.
3D Pinwheel Block (make 1)
This 3D pinwheel block is so fun and adds some great dimension to your table runner. These come together really quickly. The fabric is easy to cut as the squares are all the same size. This is a great block for beginners.
What you need:
Sheet Music Fabric-Cut four 4 1/2″ squares.
Window Shopping Fabric-Cut four 4 1/2″ squares.
How to make the block:
Grab the pieces for the 3D portion of the block, in this case I used the sheet music fabric. Fold these in half diagonally with the right sides facing out. Now take one corner and fold it in towards the corner where the two original corners from your first fold meet. Clip this in place (see image below.)
Place one of the folded pieces of fabric onto the background fabric. The raw edges of the folded fabric should line up along the bottom and side of the background fabric. Clip in place.
Sew along the two raw edges of the folded fabric, attaching the folded piece to the background piece. Repeat with all 4 pieces.
Now sew the four squares together. First sew the top two together, then sew the bottom two together, then sew the top and bottom half together. The folded points should all meet in the middle. You will turn the various pieces to line up the pinwheel in the appropriate layout.
Square the block to 8 1/2″.
Star Quilt Block (make 2)
This block comes in many different variations. Go ahead google star block and you will see what I mean. You can make it scrappy with lots of different fabrics. You can make it with muted colors with not much variation or with starkly contrasting fabrics.
This version is not difficult and plays with the fun Christmas fabrics from JOANN. I made this block in two different fabric schemes (listed below.) You can make them with the same fabrics or with different fabrics as I have done.
What you need:
First block:
Buffalo Check Fabric- Cut one 4 1/2″ square.
Glitter Polka Dots Fabric- Cut four 2 1/2″ squares and four 3 3/8″ squares.
Window Shopping Fabric- Cut four 3 3/8″ squares.
Alternate block:
Window Shopping Fabric- Cut one 4 1/2″ square.
Muted Presents Fabric- Cut four 2 1/2″ squares and four 3 3/8″ squares.
Buffalo Check Fabric- Cut four 3 3/8″ squares.
How to make the block:
Place your 3 3/8″ polka dot square right side down onto your 3 3/8″ window shopping square. Use your frixion pen to draw a line diagonally down the middle of the square. Then use your clear ruler to draw a line 1/4″ away from the middle line on each side. Repeat this step with all of the 3 3/8″ squares.
NOTE: You do not have to draw the two outside lines. However I find that these lines help, especially beginners, to accurately sew 1/4″ from the middle line.
Sew along the two outside lines that you drew, or 1/4″ on either side of the middle line.
Use the middle line as a guide to cut apart the two sewn pieces. This will give you two half square triangles. Press the HST’s open, I like to press the seam open as pictured below. The pressing will erase the pen marks if you are using the Frixion pen.
Trim the HST’s to 2 1/2″.
TIP: Use a ruler that has a diagonal line, I use THIS one. Line up the diagonal line and then square your HST based on that line. This will make sure you have a really clean and nice looking finished HST.
Place your half square triangles right sides together to form a large triangle in the middle (as pictured in the design photo above, it will resemble a flying geese piece.) Press the seams open again. Square if needed.
Place one of these flying geese like pieces on either side of the large 4 1/2″ square. The triangle point should face the large square when pieced.
Sew a 2 1/2″ square onto either side of the two remaining flying geese like pieces. Press after each step.
Now sew the two remaining pieces onto the piece with the larger square. The large square should be surrounded by the flying geese pieces, with the four 2 1/2″ squares on the corners.
Repeat with the alternate fabric or with the same fabric to create two of these blocks. Square the blocks to 8 1/2″.
Creating the Table Runner
The last step in the process is to turn the blocks into a table runner.
What you need:
Black and White Writing Fabric- Cut fourteen 2 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ and eight 12 1/2″ x 2 1/2″. (Note that if you use this fabric or a fabric with a directional pattern you will want to cut the strips so that the writing or pattern face the correct way. The side that measures 12 1/2″ is the side and the side that measures 2 1/2″ is the top. The 8 1/2″ strip is opposite. The 8 1/2″ side is the top.
Backing Fabric – I used the black and white fabric for this as well. You need one piece that measures the same as the entire pieced front.
How to make the top:
Sew an 8 1/2″ strip on the top and bottom of each quilt block. (You should have 7 blocks total.) Press.
Sew a 12 1/2″ strip on both sides of the flying geese block and star blocks (4 in total.) Press.
Piece the remaining blocks together. The blocks will be placed in this order. Star block, log cabin, flying geese, pinwheel, flying geese, log cabin, and star.
Finishing the table runner:
There are two options for finishing the table runner.
You can choose to the traditional quilting method. Add batting between the back and front to create a quilt sandwich. Then quilt using free motion quilting or straight line quilting. Then add binding to finish the edges, see THIS post for tips on creating and adding binding.
OR
You can finish this as I have. Place the top onto the backing right sides facing. Sew around the entire piece, leaving a 6″ section open (not on a corner) to turn the piece out. Turn it out, press the seams so it lies flat. Then add a pom trim or fringe to the sides and or ends, or leave the trim off if you prefer.
Video Walkthrough
Pin Christmas Sampler Quilt Table Runner
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