Rainbow Chevron Block Table runner~

I love rainbows, they always make me smile!  Lately I’ve been seeing them everywhere-from cake decorating to home décor.  Big, bold slices of color.  Many of the new fabrics on my wish list are jewel tones.  I particularly like the contrast of the bright colors against a clean, white background.  So, I’ve been experimenting with rainbows and started using some of the fabrics I’ve stashed away, because I didn’t quite know how to use them.  Colors like bright oranges & dark purples.  I’m usually drawn to softer colors.  Anyway, I came across a full-size quilt pattern with the 1/2 square log cabin, chevron pattern, set on point in rows and connected with small black & white checker-boards.  It inspired me to create this little table runner.  I foundation pieced the little chevrons, and used black, baby ric rac to connect them.  The ric rac gives a similar look with out having to piece little, teeny, tiny checker-boards.  I like piecing little details-but there’s no need to go crazy!  I don’t know if this project is suitable for beginners, but I’m including step-by-step instructions with lots of pictures.  If you have any questions, you can always e-mail me or leave a comment.

This is the pattern I used to piece my blocks.  A printable version can be found Here.  The pattern block should print out at 3-1/2”, print out 20 blocks for this project. 

 

Obviously you can use any color combination you like. The stripes of the pattern are 3/8” wide, so it’s easiest to cut fabric strips about an 1” wide.  What I love about foundation piecing is being able to use up even your tiniest fabric scraps.  Also, I have a large rubber stamp(a relic from the pre-computer printer past) of this pattern.  You see, in the olden days quilters had to trace the same pattern over & over again by hand.  So, extra-large rubber stamps were created to simply stamp the pattern on fabric or paper.  But now, it’s easiest to print them from the computer.  Anyway…… So I’ve stamped the pattern on scrap cotton, mainly old sheets & pillow cases.  I keep the fabric layer, but if you use paper as a foundation you need to tear it away when the block is complete.

   

These photos show step by step how I pieced this pattern.  The stitching is in red on the back, to make it easier to see. The fabric is placed on the front of the pattern, but is lined-up with the stitching lines on the back.  Begin by covering the first two areas with appropriate fabric pieces on the front of the pattern with right sides together. Working from the back, sew on the line between them. Trim, turn & press after each addition. Continue back & forth until all the areas of the block are covered.  Trim on the dotted line to leave a 1/4” seam allowance around the entire block. 

 

When all 20 of the chevron blocks were completed, I added white triangles to each side, so they could be placed on point.

 

 

  

I had a stack of 5" squares left from another project, so I cut them twice on the diagonal to create four triangles from each square. Then sewed one to each side of the chevron. 

 

  

I then trimmed each one to a 4" square. Notice the edge of the chevron is lined up with the 45 degree line. Trim each side this way.   

 

 

 

Next, I cut 4” wide strips of white cotton to use as sashing strips.  I marked a light pencil line down the middle lengthwise to position the ric rac trim.  Before sewing, iron the ric rac trim and be careful with the ends, they fray easily.  Put a few stitches in after cutting them or use something like FrayStop to keep  them from unraveling.

    

 

Sew right down the middle, then cut the strips into 2-1/2”x4” pieces.  Next, cut 1-1/4” strips of small black & white gingham.  Position pieces and strips as they are in the following photo.  The gingham strips on the outside edges were cut 1/4” wider, to leave room for 1/2” side seams. 

 

All in all, four rows with five chevron blocks in each row.  Then, I added a trim strip of sashing at each end.  When the top was pieced together, I finished it using the pillowcase method.  Instructions for this method can be found Here.

I just did a little simple 'stitch in the ditch' quilting. Finished size is 8"x30".    

Here are a few more photos-   

 

 So ends my first blog post. Hope you've enjoyed it...!