Falling Stars Tablerunner with Machine Embroidery

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This traditionally pieced tablerunner is decorated with embroidery. We used designs from the Hearts and Flowers Snowflake Set.

The finished size of the tablerunner is about 21" x 36 1/2".

Christ,as-themed tablerunner with embroidery. Finished.

You will need :

embroidery threads, either polyester or rayon; select colors to match your fabric,
about 1/2 yard each of 4 fabrics, we used navy blue, royal blue, torquoise and white, but feel free to select your own colors;
light-weight cut-away embroidery stabilizer,
fabric for the backing,
batting,
quilter's ruler,
rotary cutter,
iron,
#12 universal needle,
#12-#14 quilting needle,
matching sewing and quilting threads,
chalk or graph pencils.

Embroidery

You can either first make the stitch-outs and then assemble the quilt, or assemble the top and then make the embroidery. In any case, make a test stitch-out first to ensure your thread colors and machine settings are correct.

Stabilize the fabric. Hoop it tightly and embroider the designs one by one.

Trim the stitch-outs to 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" squares. These will be the centers of the star blocks. We used 5 stitch-outs. If you need a longer tablerunner, you can use all 6.

We made the embroidery on navy blue fabric.

Cutting:

The top consists of 5 star blocks and 5 flying geese strips.

For each star block:

Out of navy blue fabric, cut:

8 strips measuring 2 1/2" x 4 1/2"

8 squares measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Out of white or turquoise fabric, cut:

16 squares measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Two of the star blocks use white fabric. Three of them use turquoise fabric.

For each flying geese strip:

out of navy blue fabric, cut 8 squares measuring 2 1/2" x 2 1/2".
out of white or turquoise fabric, cut 4 strips measuring 2 1/2" x 4 1/2",

Two of the strips use white fabric. Three of them use turquoise fabric.

You will also need 2 strips measuring 2 1/2" x 8 1/2, cut out of navy blue fabric.

For the borders, out of royal blue fabric, cut

2 strips measuring 3 1/2" x 32" and
2 strips measuring 3 1/2" x 22".

Flying Goose Unit:

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

Position a 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" strip on your working table, face up. Position one of the 2 1/2" squares, face down, on the left of the rectangle. Align the sides.

With a thin graphic pencil, draw a diagonal to connect the upper right corner and the lower left corner.

Picture shows how to position the square on the rectangle.

Machine stitch along the diagonal.
Cut the excess fabric, leaving 1/4" seam allowance.
Unfold the square and press

Machine stitch along the diagonal, cut with seam allowance, unfold and press.

Repeat for the other side of the strip.

You need 8 white-and-navy flying geese units for the stars with white rays.
You need 12 turquoise-and-navy flying geese units for the stars with turquoise rays.
You need 8 navy-and-white flying geese units for the white flying geese strips.
You need 12 navy-and-turquoise flying geese units for the turquoise flying geese strips.

Star Block

Sew two of the "flying geese" units to the left and right edges of the embroidered block.

Sew 2 flying geese units to the left and right edges of the stitch-out.

Take two "flying geese" strips and four 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" squares. Sew a square to each end of the "flying geese".

Sew these strips to the top and bottom edges of the central part.

Assembly of the Top

Sew together the following parts into a long strip:

star with white rays
turquoise "flying geese" strip (pointed up)
star with turquoise rays -
turquoise "flying geese" strip (pointed up)
star with white rays.

Photo shows how to assemble the first strip.

Sew a second strip using the following parts:

2 1/2" x 8 1/2" navy blue strip
white "flying geese" strip (pointed up)
star with turquoise rays
turquoise" flying geese" strip (pointed up)
star with turquoise rays
white "flying geese" strip (pointed up)
navy blue strip.

Photo shows how to assembly the second strip.

Sew both strips together, connecting them so that the "geese" fly towards the stars.

Sew the long borders to the long sides of the tabletopper, then sew the shorter borders to the short sides.

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 layers together.
We quilted in a free-motion style all over the quilt.