Holiday table runner or pillow can easily spruce up a space in your home and get it ready for the season. And they’re among my favorite quick projects to make!
This time I was aiming for the upcoming Holiday Season as this table runner / bench pillow is one of the FREE PATTERN that I am sharing for this year!
Mix and Matching fabrics
It all started with this bundle! I pulled from various fat quarters in my stash. I knew I wanted some bright orange and teal in the bundle. A slight change to the traditional green and red for the traditional holiday season.
I ended up not using all of it in my project, but the colours still remain.
You can read more about the general process I use to mix and match fabric HERE with lots of tips too.
Pattern writing
I planned out the pattern on my computer and went ahead to sew it while noting down all the measurements. The pattern is a fully illustrated pattern step-by-step to making each of the blocks and putting it all together.
It takes longer on the computer than it takes to make the project, but it was well worth it!
I hope you’ll enjoy the pattern!
Free Motion Quilting
Small projects like this is also a great opportunity to practice free motion quilting!
I did spiral quilting on this one. I love the texture of the spirals against the stars and the presents.
Making it into a convertible Table Runner and bench Pillow
Any quilted piece can easily be turned into a pillow by adding in another layer of fabric behind the quilt.
I’ll show you how you can easily do this below.
You can apply the same technique for any small quilted table toppers and table runners.
If you decide to make a convertible runner / pillow, you can quilt the top without the backing fabric. Simply quilt the quilt top with the batting without the backing fabric.
Then, piece the backing by adding in the zipper and trimming it to size of the quilt top.
For this particular pattern, you’ll need two pieces measuring 28″ x 15″ and 26″ x 15″ for the pillow backing.
Then it is time to bind it all together just as you would a quilted table runner, except now, you have a zipper opening to squeeze in the pillow insert!
You may need to DIY your own pillow insert since it is highly likely that the table runner is not a common pillow insert that you can find. Use some muslin fabrics or any cheaper fabrics to make the pillow insert.
I ended up loving it as a bench pillow more and it fits perfectly on my mum’s bench over at her house. So there it will live.
Holiday Table Runner
If you want to use for the table, simple pull the pillow insert, and put it on the table! An option to use the same piece of quilted item.
I have joined in with 24+ amazing quilters and quilt designers to contribute a pattern for a special Holiday Bundle that is FREE for all of our amazing readers and followers this coming 10th-14th November!
This is a thank-you gift from us to YOU! Cause you’ve been an amazing supporter all these years.. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.
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This pattern was a part of the EVENT PASSPORT to Quilting on November 10th-14th 2022. However, you can still grab my pattern for this convertible table runner through the form below.
8 Comments
This is lovely, and it gave me an idea. What if – one was to make the quilt, use a lightweight muslin for the backing, quilt it, then with some slightly heavier muslin, cut two long rectangular pieces the same length as the backing. One would be perhaps 6″ wider than half the backing width and the other at least three quarters width of the backing. On one long edge of the narrow piece, fold under 1/4″ and stitch. On one long edge of the wider piece, fold it under 1/4″ twice (so there would be no raw edge visible) and stitch. Press each piece to make them nice and flat. Lap the two pieces over one another with the stitched edges in the middle, wider piece on top, orienting it top to bottom with the direction of the quilt front and adjusting them to be the same width as the quilt. Baste together at the ends. Pin the lapped pieces in place on the back of your quilt, stitch carefully around the perimeter close to the edge, leaving the pins in it while you sew. Next, bind it as usual and remove the pins. It probably would be a good idea to machine-bind this as it will be stronger for when the pillow is inserted. Now you have a pillow “envelope” that can lie on your table as a runner or have a pillow form inserted so it can be used on the bench. If the muslin used is not too heavy and your batting is not too thin, the stitched folds on the underside should not be obvious from the quilt top. Make one piece with two uses rather than two different pieces for two different uses. Just an idea.
I’ve never made a quilted pillow cover before, but I’ve made lots of envelope-style pillow covers, and I’m quite sure this will work.
Are there any updates or corrections for this pattern?
Sorry if this has been asked and answered
How do I download the the table runner/ bench pillow pattern?
Thank you
Maureen
you can sign up on the form in the blog.
This is lovely thank you
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