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PFAFF Performance 5.2 makes quick work of piecing a table runner

PFAFF Performance 5.2 makes quick work of piecing a table runner

by Sarah Vanderburgh

This post will go through the fabric requirements for a quilted table runner we’ll make over the course of this week. I’m using the PFAFF Performance 5.2 to make quick work of the piecing. Set aside a little time each day for each step and you’ll soon have your very own festive runner. Enjoy!

PFAFF Performance 5.2 sewing machine

PFAFF Performance 5.2

With Thanksgiving comes the opportunity for plenty of get togethers involving eating. Whether it’s for a main course or a more casual buffet, this runner can set the tone for friendly holiday feasting. Use a color palette to reflect the bright harvest season colors or one specifically suited to your decor.

quilted table runner seasonal decor free pattern

Quilted table runner

Fabric requirements

Fabrics with small non-directional designs are best for this runner – or you could use only solids or a mix. Large prints will get lost in the small pieces and directional prints may cause you unnecessary grumbling during construction 😉 I’ve kept it simple and bright using only a few colors. You could make it less scrappy in appearance by using the same fabric for each of the small traditional blocks.

small print fabrics, table runner fabric requirements

Fabric choices for the quilted table runner

materials

fabric

½ yd background (gray with flower dots)

fat quarter (18″ x 22″) utensil fabric (black dotted)
one piece 6½” x 20″ platter fabric (white with orange dots)
one piece 5″ x 8″ star fabric (orange daisy)
one piece 5″ x 5″ shoo-fly fabric (green daisy)
one piece 7″ x 9″ knife geese and platter frame fabric (blue lines)

½ yd backing fabric

fat quarter binding fabric

one piece minimum 16″ x 40″ for batting

Cut all of the background fabric

Some of the pieces for the runner are very small, but making the runner throughout the week will go quicker if some of the fabric is precut and ready to sew.

Here’s the breakdown of all the background pieces you’ll need. Cut them in the order listed to make the best use of the fabric:

1 strip – 5″ x 14″
1 strip – 3½” x 14″
2 strips – 3″ x 18″
3 strips – 2½” x 14″
1 strip – 2″ x 18″
2 strips – 1½” x 15½”
3 strips – 1½” x 14″

Subcut one of the 3″ x 14″ strips into 6 – 3″ squares.

Subcut the 2″ x 14″ strip into 6 – 2″ squares.

Cut all of the utensil fabric

We’ll get even farther ahead by cutting out all of the utensil fabric today too. It will be easy to keep these separate from the background fabric because of the contrast between them. Here’s the cutting order for the pieces needed:

1 strip – 3 x 18″
subcut into 5 – 3″ squares and 1 – 2″ square
2 strips – 2 x 18″
subcut into 2″ squares for a total of 17 – 2″ squares
1 strip – 1⅞ x 18″
subcut into 8 – 1 7/8″ squares
5 strips – 1½ x 14″
subcut two of these strips into 22 – 1½” squares

fabric pieces cut

Cut utensil fabric pieces.

Performance 5.2 ready to straight stitch

straight stitch needle plate PFAFF Performance 5.2

Straight stitch needle plate on the Performance 5.2.

I also have the PFAFF Performance 5.2 ready for sewing! You can read my review of this machine here. Needless to say, I’m still impressed with its performance (no apologies for the pun!) For this project, I got the straight stitch needle plate on the machine and changed to a new needle. I’ll be using a neutral white thread for piecing and wound a bobbin with the same color. I also attached the ¼” quilting foot to help me keep my seam allowance accurate and consistent from piece to piece.

PFAFF Performance 5.2 sewing machine

PFAFF Performance 5.2

With the fabrics picked out and some even precut, the quilted table runner will be a quick project for the PFAFF Performance 5.2. Tomorrow we sew!

This is part 1 of 5 in this series.

Go to part 2: 5 time saving sewing features on the PFAFF Performance 5.2

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4 comments

Beth T. November 6, 2016 - 3:05 pm

Thanks for this, Sarah–such a cute table runner.

Reply
Marie McDermott October 27, 2016 - 6:15 pm

Perfect table runner for a gift

Reply
Roxanne Hartwig October 27, 2016 - 4:21 pm

Nice blog and full of great information. Great prize as well!

Reply
VickiT October 27, 2016 - 4:04 pm

I just love this table runner. What a cute idea to make the silverware from quilt blocks. LOVE IT!

Reply

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