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For home or away, the UNIQUE Folding Cutting Mat is the one you need!

For home or away, the UNIQUE Folding Cutting Mat is the one you need!

by Paul Leger

Hello! I’m happy to see you back today to continue the construction of our table runner.

In yesterday’s post, I showed you how to make foundation paper-piecing easier using the UNIQUE QUILTING Quilt Template – 21 x 28.5cm [8¼” x 11¾”] and the UNIQUE SEWING Quilt Template with Grid – 21 x 28.5cm [8¼” x 11″]. I like to use these plastic templates to help make a foundation-pieced quilt block. But there are many other reasons to like this product, such as for fussy cutting, to cut out applique shapes, and even to make odd template shapes.

UNIQUE quilting template sheets with and without gridlines. Using UNIQUE Quilt Template - 21 x 30cm [8¼" x 11¾"], UNIQUE SEWING Quilt Template with Grid - 21 x 28.5cm [8¼" x 11"], Gütermann threads, UNIQUE Dye Catcher and StitchnSew sheets.


Quilting template sheets by UNIQUE.

We completed eight tree blocks yesterday. Here is what the table runner will look like after we add the sashing strips today.

A foundation-pieced table runner that’s easy to make in time for a summer BBQ. UNIQUE sewing and quilting template sheets, HEATNBOND Stitch n Sew EZ Print Quilt Block Sheets, UNIQUE folding cutting mat, SEW EASY Quilting Ruler

Foundation-pieced table runner

Today, I’ll show you how to cut sashing strips, and put the blocks together into a table runner using another convenient product, the UNIQUE Folding Cutting Mat – 17″ x 24″.

A UNIQUE folding cutting mat for your home and retreat quilting and sewing needs. UNIQUE sewing and quilting template sheets, HEATNBOND Stitch n Sew EZ Print Quilt Block Sheets, SEW EASY Quilting Ruler

A folding cutting mat by UNIQUE.

Today’s fabric requirements are five long strips.

For some, today’s session will be a review. For others, this brief tutorial is a good reminder of how to square up your fabric, and this will come in handy tomorrow when cutting the fabric for the binding.

The first thing to do is square up the fabric. Fold the binding fabric in half, wrong sides together, so the selvages meet. After carefully folding the fabric, place it on your cutting mat. Place a ruler, such as the 24″ x 6½” SEW EASY Quilting Ruler, onto the folded fabric as shown below. Ensure the 1″ vertical line on the ruler is perfectly aligned with the folded edge of the fabric. Cutaway the uneven edge of the fabric.

The sure way to get nice square strips is to square off the fabric first. UNIQUE sewing and quilting template sheets, HEATNBOND Stitch n Sew EZ Print Quilt Block Sheets, UNIQUE folding cutting mat, SEW EASY Quilting Ruler


Caption: Align the 1″ line of the ruler with the edge of fabric and trim.

With the fabric squared, the strips can be cut. You’ll need the following strips of fabric:

  • Two 1½x 33½ strips
  • Five 1½x 15½ strips
  • Four 1½ x 7½ strips

TIP When cutting different fabric sizes for a quilt, start with the larger pieces. Often there will be fabric left from the first cuts to use for the smaller fabric pieces needed.

 Pre-cutting any fabric strips you need to complete the quilt top will speed up the process. UNIQUE sewing and quilting template sheets, HEATNBOND Stitch n Sew EZ Print Quilt Block Sheets, UNIQUE folding cutting mat, SEW EASY Quilting Ruler

The three strip lengths needed to frame the tree blocks.

There’s one additional step to take before the runner can be assembled.

You can now remove the HEATNBOND Stitch n Sew EZ Print Quilt Block Sheets (8½” x 11″) from the backs of the blocks. The Stitch n Sew sheets will tear away easily.

TIP When tearing the Stitch n Sew sheets away from the blocks, begin tearing from the outer edge and move towards the center.

Some say the Stitch n Sew sheets should not be torn off until the runner is complete. I agree with this practice if there are a lot of seams and pieces. When it comes to a simple block like this one, I remove the sheets before assembling the quilt top. If your comfort level says to remove it later, by all means, remove it when the table runner top is completed.

Now, let’s get started.

Sew the 1½ x 7½ strips to the tops of four of the blocks and press.

The first step in completing the quilt top is to sew a 1½" x 7½" strip to the tops of four of the blocks. UNIQUE sewing and quilting template sheets, HEATNBOND Stitch n Sew EZ Print Quilt Block Sheets, UNIQUE folding cutting mat, SEW EASY Quilting Ruler

Sew a 1½” x 7½” strip to the tops of four of the blocks.

With right sides together, sew the four remaining tree blocks to the other side of the 1½” x 7½” strips as shown below. Press.

The four remaining blocks are sewn to the other long edge of the 1½" x 7½" strips. UNIQUE sewing and quilting template sheets, HEATNBOND Stitch n Sew EZ Print Quilt Block Sheets, UNIQUE folding cutting mat, SEW EASY Quilting Ruler

Sew the four remaining blocks to the other long edge of the 1½” x 7½” strips.

Next, sew a 1½” x 15½” strip between each pair of blocks to join them, as shown below. Sew the last two 1½” x 15½” strips to each end.

To frame each block, add a 1½" x 15½" strip between each pair of blocks as well as at each end of the table runner. UNIQUE sewing and quilting template sheets, HEATNBOND Stitch n Sew EZ Print Quilt Block Sheets, UNIQUE folding cutting mat, SEW EASY Quilting Ruler

Add a 1½” x 15½” strip between each pair of blocks and at both ends of the runner.

To complete the table runner top, sew a 1½” x 33½” strip along each long edge of the runner.

There’s nothing easier than creating this table runner top, except getting someone else to do it for you!

Throughout this project, you may have noticed I’m using a cutting mat that’s a darker shade of green than my usual cutting mat. It’s the UNIQUE Folding Cutting Mat – 17″ x 24″. The name is well-suited to this mat. It folds in half, making it very portable! Perfect for the day when we can return to attending retreats and in-person workshops.

Tomorrow I’ll show you how to baste and quilt this table runner. Be sure to come back and follow along!

This is part 3 of 5 in this series

Go back to part 2:  THE secret to making foundation paper-piecing easier!

Go to part 4: 2 handy helpers for your quilting needs: Odif 505 and UNIQUE Dye Catcher

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