quilting

Strips Runner Tutorial

Since a few of you were curious about how I construct my strips runner, I thought I’d walk you through the steps in today’s post. 

Strips Runner Tutorial - Partially finished Strips Runner - piecefulthoughts.com

Cut the Strips

Once the fabric has been chosen and laid out in the color order I prefer, I begin by cutting strips. (Sometimes I don’t determine the color order, and just choose colors as I go.) My initial strips for this runner are no larger than 1-1/2 inches. I cut my strips the width of the fabric, which were fat quarters, except for the background. My fat quarter strips were 1-1/2 inches x 18 inches, then I cut them in half, so my working strips were about 9 inches. Background pieces were cut 1-1/2 inches by WOF. 

Strips Runner Tutorial - Begin by putting the fabrics in order and cutting the strips - piecefulthoughts.com

Sewing the Strips

Once the sewing begins, I make a second cut of the colored fabric. I might cut it shorter, and possibly narrower, depending on how I feel. For this runner, my narrowest strips were 1 inch. Once the width of the colored fabric is decided, I cut the background pieces, keeping the width uniform with the colored fabric. This small cutting mat, ruler, and rotary cutter sit right next to my machine, which I use to cut the short background pieces. I go to the cutting board for the longer strips because it gives me better accuracy.  

Strips Runner Tutorial - Handy tools, a small cutting mat, ruler and rotary cutter, right by my machine - piecefulthoughts.com

Once I have an idea of the width of the runner, the first strip is sewn to that size. Once the strips are cut, I sew the background pieces to each end of the colored fabric. I estimate the size that I need for the background strips, then trim them or square them as I go along. I found this step much easier than trying to square the long runner when I’m done. 

Scraps Runner Tutorial - Showing how I cut the strips and stagger them for the quilt runner - piecefulthoughts.com

Stagger the Strips

As I sew each strip to the next, I stagger them, making some shorter and narrower and so on. I try not to be too controlled in this, but just let it flow. The only thing I avoid is having the seam ends of strips match. I want each strip to stagger from the others. Once I’ve decided I’m happy with the position of the strip, I attach it to the body of the runner. Notice the overhang of the strip on the top end in this photo. I also try to keep the strips going down the center of the runner as I stagger them. 

Strips Runner Tutorial - Attaching the strips together - piecefulthoughts.com

For this runner, I found it easy enough to work right on my pressing table. With a larger quilt, such as Autumn Drive, it is easier to work from a design wall. If I question the look, I also take a photo. It gives me a different perspective. 

The length of the runner is also fluid. I usually work until it just feels right. On Monday, I was pretty sure I wanted to add a few more strips, but I let it sit overnight and then made my decision. 

On Friday, I’ll show you how I quilted the runner and how I did the quilt facing. Maybe I’ll even have a name for it by then!

Happy Wednesday, friends! I hope you enjoy some fun sewing today! 

Wendy

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