Batty Bargello quilted table runner | Unique reversible finishes

Yesterday, I discussed potential quilt layouts for Bargello blocks we made over the last couple of days. I chose layout 1 with the gorgeous Fabric Creations Cotton showing off the beautiful orange in the center as shown below. Today I’ll discuss how to quilt the table runner with Fairfield Quilter’s 80/20 Quilt Batting and Gütermann MCT Sew-all Thread.  I’ll also demonstrate how to add the appliqued bats with HeatNBond Feather Lite Fabric Adhesive and easily sew the binding with UNIQUE sewing binding and hem clips.

Finishing Instructions

1. Sew block 1 to block 2 in the center as shown. Pin to match all seams.

2. Press the seam open so that the table runner will lay flat.

3. Cut a 22” x 52” piece of orange fabric and the same for the batting. Fairfield Quilter’s 80/20 Quilt Batting was used              for this project, it’s lofty, but lays flat enough when needed, shows texture when quilted and is lovely.

4. Download and trace the bat design onto the paper side of the HeatNBond Feather Lite Iron-on Adhesive as shown.              Trace with a pencil or permanent marker so it’s easily visible. I used five of these bats.

5. Press the glue side of the fabric adhesive bats onto the solid black fabric as shown.

6. Using scissors cut the bats out on the traced lines as shown.

7. Remove the paper and iron the bats glue side down to the pre-cut orange piece of fabric, audition how they need to             be laid out before pressing with an iron.

TIP Use a hot dry iron and a pressing action; for best results do not move the iron back and forth.

8. Center, sandwich, and baste the Bargello quilt top, batting, and backing that has the bat appliques facing outwards.

9. Turn the table runner to the backing, install a free motion foot on your machine, engage feed dog down function                 and stitch and quilt as you go with black thread close to the edge of each bat as shown.

10. Quilt the remainder of the table runner in a pattern of choice, I chose to quilt mine with an atmosphere style                      design in white as shown with a free motion method. The black thread for the bats will show up on the front of the                  table runner as shown and this creates a subtle design element

11. Prepare binding by cutting 4 strips 2½” by width of fabric from black fabric.

TIP Here’s a free tutorial on Binding a Quilt if you need it.

I chose to sew my binding to the back of the quilt and fold it towards the front, I clipped it with UNIQUE sewing binding and hem clips as shown and found them very helpful to hold the binding while sewing. I then topstitched the binding very close to the edge with black thread.

See the completed Batty for Bargello Table Runner!

This week we discovered the very interesting Bargello technique of piecing and design with Fabric Creations Cotton. I discovered some fantastic notions including Fairfield Quilter’s 80/20 Quilt Batting, UNIQUE sewing binding and hem clips, Gütermann MCT Sew-all Thread, KAI Ultra Rotary Cutter Replacement Straight Blade and Best Press Starch Alternative. I encourage you to look for these products at your local sewing or quilt shop.

I sincerely hope you enjoyed and more importantly will try to make a Bargello quilt block or two. This reversible table runner enhances your fall and Halloween decor.

Have a wonderful, ‘quilty’ weekend.

This is part 5 of 5 in this series

Go back to part 4: Creative quilt layouts with a Bargello quilt block