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Every year around Valentine's Day, my sister

throws a Sweetheart Dinner for family, friends, or
neighbors---the sweethearts in her life. She plans a
festive meal using her fine china and candlelight, and
proper etiquette and manners are always taught and
expected from her kids. The guests come away with
treats and treasures, and a wonderful time is had by
all. I've always thought this was such a charming
tradition, and it was actually the inspiration for this
month's project. Why not plan a special dinner for
your sweethearts this Valentine's Day, and adorn
your table with this elegant, yet classic table runner?

NOTE:

Approximate finished size is 15 1/2" x 42 1/2". This project involves

machine sewing, along with a small amount of appliqu. Kimberbell Kids'

eBook entitled, "Appliqu the Easy Way" may be of assistance to you if you'd like
further instruction than what is provided here. Please contact me at
shelli@youcanmakethis.com if I can be of any help in completing this project!
Materials Needed:
*cutting board, straight edge ruler, rotary cutter
*1/2 yard fabric (45" wide--this will be the foundation fabric for the runner. I used
cotton decorator fabric found at JoAnn's)
*1/2 yard coordinating fabric (also 45" wide--for the center square and end triangles)
*1/2 yard muslin (45" wide--for the back)
*1/3 yard transfer web paper such as "Wonder Under"
*coordinating thread
*sewing machine
*ironing board and iron
*4 coordinating buttons

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Preparing and Cutting the Fabric:

1. Before cutting and sewing, prewash and dry the fabric to prevent shrinkage. Press
fabric before cutting.
2. Use the rotary cutter, mat, and
straight edge to cut the fabrics. Of
fabric choice #1 (the foundation
fabric), cut one section to measure 16"
x 27". Fold fabric in half, and carefully
make a small mark at the top and also
the bottom, at the center fold line. Be
sure to mark near the edge so it will be
hidden later inside the seam. Now fold
fabric again the other direction and
mark again at the fold line along the
edges. You should now have 4 marks
on this section of fabric--one at the center of each edge.

3. Of fabric #2, cut one square that measures 10 1/2" x 10 1/2".

4. Also of fabric #2, cut two

rectangles that each measure 9" x
16 . Notice the extra 1/2"
inch. Take each rectangle and fold
in half so the 9" sides are carefully
lined up and touching. Using the
straight edge to guide you, cut
diagonally across the folded
rectangle from the top of the folded
edge to the bottom of the opposite
edges. This will create a triangle for
each end of the runner.

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The triangles created from cutting diagonally across each rectangle.

5. Of the transfer web paper, cut one square that measures 10" x 10".

Appliquing the Center Square to the Foundation Piece:

6. The first step of construction will be to appliqu the center square to the foundation
(fabric #1) piece of the runner. Take the 10 1/2" square of fabric # 2, and the 10" square
of transfer web paper, and place the fabric wrong side up on your ironing board. Place
the transfer paper, bumpy side down, on top of the fabric square, positioning it so it is
centered, and so there is an even amount of fabric showing around each edge. Carefully
press and adhere with a hot iron for 5-10 seconds.

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7. Once the paper is adhered, carefully snip the

corners of the fabric off, close to the paper on each
corner.

8. Now press all of the edges of fabric back toward

the paper, using it as a guide and an edge. When
each side of the square has a clean, crisp edge
pressed back, carefully peel off the remaining paper
of the transfer web and discard.

9. Place and center the square on top

of the foundation piece of fabric #1.
Using those 4 marks made on the
foundation piece of fabric #1, place
the square diagonally in the center of
the foundation piece, lining the four
corners of the square up with the four
marks. Use a straight edge ruler to
make sure the corners line up evenly in
each direction, and that the corners are
the same distance from the two edges
they are closest to (about 1").

10. Once you are happy with the placement and it is smooth and even, press the center
of the square with the iron. Carefully tuck the edges of the square under and press
around each edge. (Do not worry about the corners of the square as they are
unfinished--they will be covered with buttons!)

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11. Place a damp, thin cloth over the square, and press with the iron for 5-10 seconds
or until the damp cloth dries. This will seal the transfer web to both layers of fabric.
Sewing the Table Runner:
This is the fun part, where you see it really begin to take shape!
12. Carefully pin the long edges of the two triangles to each end of the foundation
piece of the runner, right sides together. Since they were cut out at 16 1/2", there will
be about 1/4" of the triangles that will extend past each edge of the foundation piece.
This is correct, and will ensure that the triangles will be sewn with the proper
dimensions. Sew each end using 1/4" seam allowances.
13. Press seams toward the darker fabric, and carefully trim the fabric that extends past
the edges.

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14. Now cut a section of muslin for the back of the runner. Place the completed top
panel, right side down, onto the section of muslin, and use it as a template. Pin at the
edges every 3-4 inches around to prevent any slippage, and cut the muslin to match the
size and shape of the top panel.

15. You are now ready to sew the top panel and muslin backing together. While they
are still pinned from cutting out, sew 1/4" around the edges, leaving a 5" opening along
one of the long edges for turning. Be sure to back stitch to prevent the seams from
unraveling.
16. Before turning, snip the fabric at the tips of the triangle ends to remove bulk. After
turning, use a pair of scissors to carefully push the fabric out at the corners to make a
clean point. Press entire runner and hand stitch opening closed.

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Topstitching the Table Runner:

17. The next step is to topstitch the runner. You can either stitch using a coordinating
thread that will blend with your fabric or one that is contrasting. Once the runner is
turned and pressed, again pin the top panel to the muslin every 3-4 inches and around
the center square. (Be sure to not skip this step in order to prevent the fabric from
shifting as you sew.) Begin by topstitching the center square. Stitch 1/8" from the
edges to ensure those edges are tacked down. I stitched at 1/4" as well for added
interest.

18. After topstitching the square, topstitch near the seams in which you attached the
triangle pieces. Stitch either 1/8" or 1/4" from the seam.

19. The last step of topstitching will be to

stitch around the entire runner at the
edges, again at either 1/8" or 1/4". Press
the entire runner.

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Embellishing the Table Runner: You are almost finished! Isn't it looking great?

20. The final step of this project will be

to hand-sew coordinating buttons at the
4 corners of the center square to cover
up those rough corners and to add some
embellishment.

**Additional Options for Creating Your Table Runner:**

*Rather than using a 1/2 yard of only one fabric for the foundation piece, try combining
and alternating two different prints of fat quarters to create a foundation piece in the
same dimensions. Simply cut 4 sections from 2 fat quarters (two sections from each fat
quarter) that measure 8 1/4" x 13 3/4". Sew two sections of the different fabrics
together lengthwise, right sides together with 1/4" seams. Repeat for the other two
sections. Now sew the two sections together at the ends, placing your fabrics kittycorner from each other. Press seams open or to one side, and follow the rest of the
directions.

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*Add a layer of thin quilt batting

between the front and back panels. You
can still top-stitch, but be sure to pin
carefully.
*Lengthen or shorten the runner
according to your personal needs.
*A charm or glass pendent is a darling
addition when hand sewn at the ends of
the triangles after the runner is
completed.
*The triangle ends or the center square make lovely canvases for hand-stitching,
appliquing, or machine stitching motifs there. There are so many fun designs available
through SWAK and YCMT that the possibilities are endless! The above design may be
found at swakembroidery.com.
Congratulations! You've completed a table runner that will add a romantic and
elegant flair to your own Sweetheart Dinner! I hope you've enjoyed this project from
You Can Sew This, and please be sure to submit your photos to the "I Made This"
section of YCMT so we can all be inspired with your creativity! And as always, feel free
to contact me with questions or comments at shelli@youcanmakethis.com.
Happy sewing!
Shelli

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