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Celtic Tree of Life Quilted Table Runner

This gorgeous table runner features the design Celtic Tree of Life for the commercial size hoop (8" x 10" or more) and Celtic Tree of Life Branches for the large hoop (5" x 7"). You can use smaller designs, but please keep in mind that you may have to adjust the length of the central and end parts.

The finished size of our table runner is about 17 1/2" x 57" (from point to point).

You will need :

embroidery threads, we choose gold and light green to match our fabrics;
medium-weight iron-on cut-away stabilizer,
4 cotton fabrics:
- dark green (about 1 yard),
- medium green (about 1/8 yard),
- small amount of light green and patterned green (about 1/2 yard total);
batting,
fabric for the backing,
quilting thread,
quilter's ruler and rotary cutter, or pencil and scissors.

Cutting:

Out of dark green fabric, cut

1 piece measuring 12 1/2" x 15 1/2" and
2 pieces measuring 10 1/2" x 15 1/2" (please note, that these are the pieces that will be used on the ends of the tablerunner; they will be trimmed to size, but we cut them wider for easier hooping);
2 strips measuring 1 1/2" x 36",
1 strip measuring 1 1/2" x 18";
2 strips measuring 2 1/2" x 62 1/2".

Out of green patterned fabric, cut

24 squares measuring 3 1/2" x 3 1/2",
1 strip measuring 1 1/2" x 36",
2 strips measuring 1 1/2" x 18",
1 strip measuring 1 1/2" x 24",
2 strips measuring 1 1/2" x 12",
1 strips measuring 1 1/2" x 18" and
2 strips measuring 1 1/2" x 9".

Out of medium green fabric, cut

2 strips measuring 1 1/2" x 24" and
1 strip measuring 1 1/2" x 12".

Out of light green fabric, cut

2 strips measuring 1 1/2" x 18" and
1 strip measuring 1 1/2" x 9".

Assembly of the 9-patch Blocks:

Note: seam allowance is 1/4", press each seam after you make it.

Sew 2 dark green and 1 patterned 1 1/2" x 36" strips together lengthwise. Press the seams to the dark strip. Subcut the new strip into 24 strips 1 1/2" wide.

Sew the 1 dark green and 2 patterned green 1 1/2" x 18" strips together lengthwise. Press seams to the dark strip. Subcut the new strip into 12 strips 1 1/2" wide.

Sew the strips into 12 blocks:

Now in the same way as described above, sew the 2 medium green and 1 patterned green 1 1/2" x 24" strips. Press the seams to the medium green strips. Subcut the new strip into 16 strips 1 1/2" wide.

Sew the 1 medium green and 2 patterned green 1 1/2" x 12" strips. Press seams to the medium green strip. Subcut the new strip into 8 strips 1 1/2" wide.

Using new strips, sew 8 medium green blocks.

Sew the 2 light green and 1 patterned green 1 1/2" x 18" strips together lengthwise. Press seams to the light green strips. Subcut the new strip into 12 strips 1 1/2" wide.

Sew the 1 light green and 2 patterned green 1 1/2" x 9" strips together longwise. Press seams to the light green strips. Subcut the new strip into 6 strips 1 1/2" wide.

Using new strips, sew 6 light green blocks.

Assembly of the Top:

Take 3 dark green 9-patch blocks and 2 patterned squares, measuring 3 1/2" x 3 1/2". Sew them into a strip.

Repeat with all dark green 9-patch blocks. You need 4 such strips.

Take 2 medium green blocks and 3 patterned squares, measuring 3 1/2". Sew them into strip.

Repeat with all medium green blocks. You need 4 such strips.

Take 3 light green blocks and 2 patterned squares, measuring 3 1/2" x 3 1/2". Sew them into strip.

Repeat with the remaining 3 green blocks. You need 2 such strips.

Now sew the strips together two form two squares, in the following order: dark strip - medium strip - light strip - medium strip - dark strip.

Celtic Tree of Life Quilted Table Runner image 2

Sew these units to the left and right edges of the 12 1/2" x 15 1/2" dark green piece.

Sew the 10 1/2" x 15 1/2" dark green pieces to the ends of the working piece.

Sew the 2 1/2" x 62 1/2" borders to the long edges of the working piece.

Embroidery:

Stabilize the central dark part of the table runner. Upload the Celtic Tree of Life design and embroider it.

Stabilize the end dark parts (one at a time). Embroider the Celtic Tree of Life Branches on these parts.

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 arounf the embroidery and all over the table runner in a free motion style.

Celtic Tree of Life Quilted Table Runner image 3

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.

You can leave the table runner as it is, or you can make either rounded or triangular edges (as we did).