Quilted Table Runners with Half-Square Triangles for Fall

5 min read

A quilted table runner changes the feel of a dining table with very little effort. It adds color, texture, and a handmade touch, and it protects the table from hot dishes and scratches. Half-square triangles are the perfect block for a fall runner: two triangles sewn together make a square, and those squares combine into zigzags, stars, pinwheels, and dozens of other patterns. This guide shows how to sew a fall table runner from half-square triangles, in autumn colors that suit the season. The runner measures about 35 by 110 centimeters, a good size for a standard dining table.

Half-square triangles, often called HSTs, are a quilting staple because they are simple and versatile. You make them by sewing two squares together and cutting them diagonally, which gives you two HST units from one pair. For a fall runner, choose three or four fabrics: a deep orange, a warm gold, a rich brown, and a cream print for contrast. Prewashed quilting cotton works best, because it shrinks before you sew rather than after.

You will need

• a rotary cutter
• a quilting ruler
• a cutting mat
• pins
• thread
• an iron

A quarter-inch foot for your sewing machine helps keep seams accurate.

Cutting and Sewing the Half-Square Triangles

Cut squares of 12 centimeters from each fabric. Pair a dark square with a light square, right sides together, and draw a diagonal line on the back of the lighter square. Sew a quarter-inch seam on both sides of the drawn line, then cut along the line. Press the seam toward the darker fabric and trim the corners. Each pair gives you two HST units. For this runner you need forty HST units, so cut twenty pairs. Work in batches: sew all the pairs first, then cut them all, then press them all. Batching keeps the work organized and the seams consistent. Check that each HST measures about 11 centimeters square after trimming, and square up any that are uneven.

Arrange the HST units on a flat surface to design the runner. A simple and striking layout is a zigzag: alternate the direction of the triangles so they form chevrons down the length of the runner. Try several arrangements before sewing, and take a photo of the one you like best. The runner is five HST units wide and eight rows long, which gives a finished size of about 35 by 110 centimeters after seams. Sew the units into rows first, pressing seams in alternating directions so they nest together neatly. Then sew the rows together, matching the seams carefully. Press the whole top flat when it is assembled.

Layering, Quilting, and Binding the Runner

Layer the runner top with batting and a backing fabric. The backing should be a few centimeters larger than the top on every side. Baste the layers together with safety pins spaced about a hand apart, or use spray baste. Quilt along the seam lines, stitching in the ditch, which means sewing right next to the seams so the stitching is nearly invisible. This simple quilting holds the layers together and adds subtle texture. Alternatively, quilt diagonal lines across the whole runner for a bolder look. Use a walking foot to keep the layers from shifting. Quilt slowly and evenly, smoothing the layers as you go.

Trim the batting and backing even with the runner top. Bind the edges with double-fold binding: cut strips of fabric 6 centimeters wide, join them into one long strip, fold it in half lengthwise, and press. Sew the binding to the front of the runner with a quarter-inch seam, fold it over the edge to the back, and hand-stitch it in place. Miter the corners neatly by folding the binding at a 45-degree angle. Binding is the step that makes a quilt look finished, so take your time with it. Press the finished runner flat, and check that the corners are square and the binding is even on both sides.

Using and Caring for a Quilted Runner

Use the runner as a table centerpiece, with a vase or a bowl on top, or lay it under a row of candles for a fall dinner. The batting gives it enough thickness to protect the table from warm dishes, though you should still use trivets for very hot pots. To clean the runner, machine wash it on a gentle cycle in cool water and lay it flat to dry. The quilting will pucker slightly after the first wash, which is normal and gives the runner a soft, handmade texture. Press it lightly if you want a crisper look. Store the runner rolled rather than folded to avoid permanent crease lines.

A half-square triangle runner is a satisfying project because the blocks are quick and the result looks complex. Once you are comfortable with HSTs, try new layouts: pinwheels, stars, or a sampler of different blocks. You can also change the palette for other seasons: cool blues for winter, fresh greens for spring, or bright prints for summer. The same forty-block method works for all of them. A quilted table runner takes an afternoon to sew and brightens the table for a whole season, and each one you make will be a little neater than the last.

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