Scrappy Table Runner – Patchwork Breeze

Have you been following along during the 2022 Summer Scrap Elimination? It’s been great to see what can come from scraps.

I have P-L-E-N-T-Y of scraps! For my runner, I chose to focus on the green and yellow scraps I’ve been saving. (I hope you see your scraps collection reduced!) Here is my table runner and details on making one, in your own color choices.

I wanted my table runner to imply summer flowers growing in neat garden rows. It measures 16″ x 36″.

Get Started

Start by gathering two shades of a color for the half-square triangles that outline the flowers in the middle of the rows. I chose light greens and dark greens representing the leaves and yellows for the flowers. You could choose blues that would represent rivulets of water with browns as stone colors.

You will need a maximum of 36 dark greens and 36 light greens for the half-square triangle blocks. Of course, some of the greens can be from the same fabrics; or you can choose larger cuts of one fabric for dark and one for light (if you have no scraps).

There are many ways to sew the half-square triangles using scraps. Consider the size and shape of your scraps. Use one method (or combine methods) to yield 72 half-square triangle units that measure 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ made with one light and one dark triangle. See the illustration below:

Two Methods to Sew HST Using Scraps

With one light green and one dark green 3″ x 3″ square, placed right sides together, draw one diagonal line between one set of opposite corners. Sew a 1/4″ seam on each side of the diagonal line. Cut on the drawn diagonal line and press the seams to the dark side. Trim them to 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″.

Have some triangle-shaped scraps, too? Place a light triangle and a dark triangle right sides together. Cut a straight edge to guide the 1/4″ seam line. After sewing the seam, open the pieces and press to the dark fabric. Trim to 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″squares.

Flower Squares

Cut 72 flower squares measuring 21/2″ x 2 1/2″.

Making the 4-Patch Units

You will need 36 four-patch units. Each one is sewn in the same arrangement as the illustration below.

Lay Out the Units

As you lay out each 4-patch block, rotate every other block 180 degrees to create the light and dark diagonal rows between the yellow squares. Below is an illustration. (Your colors will be more varied than those shown in the illustration below.)

Continue adding rows of units for 18 rows in length and 8 rows wide.

Layer with batting and backing. Quilt in the manner you like. Wavy lines running along the diagonal of the half-square triangles is easy. Quilt the diagonal of the yellow squares as they run diagonally so the fabrics have stability and don’t puff when washed. See example below.