A dozen fat quarters build into a wave-like bargello block. Pieced into a reversible fall and Halloween table runner, it works either side up. This post covers cutting and numbering strips for an accurate ombré effect, then piecing and pressing one bargello block. It also covers choosing a layout, quilting the runner, and appliqueing bat shapes to the back before binding the edges.
Batty for Bargello Reversible Table Runner made with gorgeous Fabric Creations Cotton
materials
fabric
- 12 fat quarters, 8″ x 21″ each, in three shades of black, three of dark gray, three of light gray, and three of orange, for the bargello front
- 22″ x 52″ [55.9 x 132.1cm] fabric, for the backing
- 12″ x WOF [30.5cm x WOF] fabric, for the binding
- a scrap of solid black fabric, for the bat appliqués
- lightweight fusible web
thread
- machine thread to match the fabric colors: orange, black, white, and gray
notions
- fabric starch or a starch alternative
- quilt batting
- sharp rotary cutter and blade
- 6″ x 24″ cutting ruler
- cutting mat
- sewing machine with a ¼″ foot and a free-motion foot
- flat, fine pins
- binding clips
- scissors
- a hot, dry iron
Cut and number the strips
Iron every fabric piece first with a hot, dry iron. A starch alternative stabilizes the fabric and keeps steam from stretching it. Cut 3 strips from each of the 12 fabrics, each strip 2½″ x 21″ [6.4 x 53.3cm]. That’s 36 strips in total. Number the fabrics 1 through 12 before cutting, running from darkest to lightest within each color family. It’s easy to lose track of the gradient once the strips are separated. A sharp rotary blade matters here, since accuracy in every cut controls how well the ombré wave reads.
Fabrics identified by number light to dark
A free downloadable coloring page makes it easy to test color placement first. Download the free layout and coloring page here.
Piece and press a bargello block
Sew the 12 strips together lengthwise in numerical order, right sides together. Use a ¼″ foot and a fine thread that blends with the fabric. Press every seam in the same direction, then trim and square the strip set. Repeat twice more, for three identical strip sets in total. Join two of the strip sets into a tube, sewing the first and last strips together lengthwise. Check that the tube lies flat, trimming it square if needed.
From the tube, sub-cut strips in these widths: 3 strips at 1½″, 2 at 1¾″, 2 at 2″, 2 at 2½″, and 2 at 2¾″. Seam-rip specific sections of each strip, following a layout diagram, to stagger the colors into the bargello pattern. Number the resulting rows 1 through 11. Sew them together in pairs, pinning carefully at every seam intersection. Press the finished block in one direction, then repeat the whole process for a second block. Two blocks make a table runner measuring about 22½″ x 48″.
Seams are pressed with a hot dry iron in one direction.
Bargello layout diagram
Choose a layout
Two finished bargello blocks open up several layouts worth auditioning. Turning the blocks so their accent color meets in the center creates a bold diamond. Lining the blocks up in the same direction reads as a continuous wave instead. The same single block scales up into a king, queen, or throw-size quilt, repeated many times over with the same piecing method. Any leftover tube sections or extra blocks suit smaller projects too, like tote bags, placemats, or potholders.
Layout suggestions
Quilt, applique, and bind
Sew the two chosen blocks together at the center seam, then press it open so the runner lies flat. Trace a bat shape onto fusible web several times. Fuse the shapes to a scrap of black fabric, then cut them out. Fuse the finished bat appliqués to the backing fabric before layering and basting the quilt sandwich, appliqués facing out. Free-motion stitch closely around the edge of each bat from the back. This appliques and quilts in one pass. Quilt the remainder of the runner in a pattern of choice. The bat stitching shows through subtly on the pieced front as a bonus design detail. Finish the edges with binding sewn to the back, folded to the front, and topstitched close to the edge.
Remove the paper from the fabric.
Quilted atmosphere lines with free motion quilting and white thread.