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Quilted Tablerunner with Butterfly Applique

For this cute, spring-themed project, we used the designs from the Buttefly Applique Set. It makes a great center piece for a coffee table that can instantly brighten up your living room. By attaching a sleeve, you can also make a wall hanging.

The finished size of the tablerunner is about 19" x 37".

You will need

embroidery thread (either polyester or rayon), choose color to your taste,
water-soluble stabilizer,
scraps of bright fabrics for the applique,
scraps of green fabrics (the more, the better!),
small amount of fabric in a contast color (we used pink),
Steam-a- Seam 2 Double Stitck Fusible Web (or similar product),
backing, binding and batting.

Embroidery:

Read how to embroider the Butterfly Applique on the instructions page.

Embroider as many butterflies as you like. Wash away the stabilizer and leave the stitch-outs to air dry.

Quilted Tablerunner with Butterfly Applique image 2

Cutting:

You need to cut your green fabric into

80 squares measuring 2" x 2",
20 squares measuring 3 1/2" x 3 1/2",
2 strips measuring 1" x 32 1/2",
2 strips measuring 1" x 15 1/2",
2 strips measuring 1" x 33 1/2",
2 strips measuring 1" x 16 1/2,
2 strips measuring 2" x 34 1/2" and
2 strips measuring 2" x 18 1/2".

For the green binding, cut 3 strips measuring 2 1/2" and the length of the width of the fabric.

Out of pink fabric, cut

2 strips measuring 1 1/2" x 30 1/2" and
2 strips measuring 1 1/2" x 14 1/2".

Assembly of the Top:

Note: seam allowance is 1/4". Press every seam immediately after you make it.

Sew the 2" x 2" squares into pairs.

Sew the pairs into squares.

Sew each square to a 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" square.

Arrange the units in strips, 2 units per strip. Feel free to arrange them in any orientation you like. You should have a total of 10 strips.

Sew the strips together.

Sew the 1 1/2" x 30 1/2" pink strips to the long edges of the tablerunner

Sew the 1 1/2" x 14 1/2" pink strips to the short edges of the tablerunner.

Sew the 1" x 32 1/2" green strips to the long edges of the working piece and the 1" x 15 1/2" strips to the short edges.

Sew the 1" x 33 1/2" green strips to the long edges of the working piece and the 1" x 16 1/2" strips to the short edges.

Sew the 2" x 34 1/2" green strips to the long edges of the working piece and the 2" x 18 1/2" strips to the short edges.

Attaching the Applique:

Cut a piece of Steam-a-Seam 2 Double Stick Fusible Web and remove the first protective layer of paper. Place the stitch-outs on the sticky side and press them down with your fingers.

Quilted Tablerunner with Butterfly Applique image 3

With scissors, cut away the excess Steam-a-Seam.

Quilted Tablerunner with Butterfly Applique image 4

When you are done, peel off the second layer of paper from the back.

Quilted Tablerunner with Butterfly Applique image 5

Position the butterflies on the top. You can rearrange them as often as you like until you're satisfied with the layout. Steam-a-Seam becomes permanent only after heating with an iron.

Use a hot iron to press each butterfly for 15-20 second. Let the applique cool and test the edges. If any edges are loose, press again from the back of the table runner.

Quilted Tablerunner with Butterfly Applique image 6

Quilting and Finishing:

Now place the backing on a flat surface (table) face down. Cover with batting. Spread your working piece over it.

Pin all three layers together with 1" pins and start quilting. We quilted with a meandering pattern around the applique and in a freemotion style on the borders..

After the quilting is finished, press the work with heavy steam and square the work -- all corners should be 90 degrees and opposite sides should be of the same length.

Finish the raw edges with the binding.