When I asked my sister for fabric for Christmas, I really didn’t know to expect. I wanted to try some different patterns and create some easy projects. She gave me two jelly rolls. After opening this one, and seeing how perfect it matched my kitchen, I scoured the internet for a table runner. I decided on a a variation of a french braid.
Most french braids have pointed ends, and have a diamond in the middle. Here’s a tutorial from Jenny Doan at the Missouri Quilt Company if you want to follow that idea. I wanted a rectangle. And, because I only had jelly rolls, it would be difficult for me to make the large diamond in the middle. I made my own version.
I started sewing pieces together, using the light 2 inch square in the center. If I had followed the tutorial, I probably would have been more efficient with my fabric. As you can see, I ended up with longer and longer pieces. I started using shorter pieces to preserve fabric, but then I was concerned the table runner wouldn’t be wide enough.
Once I measured my table, and a table runner I already had, I settled on my width and length and squared it up. I used the leftovers to make a simple backing, and pieced together enough light pieces to make the binding, which I machine sewed.
On to the quilting. I had taken Crafty’s Creative Quilting with Your Walking Foot (This class is my all time favorite so far – Jacquie Gering is an excellent teacher.) One of the more fancy stitches she recommends is the serpentine stitch. At first I thought I would do it both ways, crossing at the middle. But after finishing this table runner, I had enough. Straight line quilting is a bit tedious. And, even though she makes it look easy, believe me, it is not.
While I can see all the mistakes -the stitches are uneven, and a bit wobbly, – I think the overall look of the table runner is very consistent. And I love the contrast between the thread and the fabric.
This table runner is proudly displayed on my kitchen table. How do you like it?
Next I’ll share what I did with the leftover scraps.
Ragstofishes 
Love it!! Thanks for sharing
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Beautiful
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bravo un double face très réussi
I am sorry my English is “pauvre”
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Where did you get the fabric?
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I like it very much. So many things you can do with the French Braid pattern.
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Beautiful choice of fabrics!
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Absolutely beautiful! I think the quilting you did looks fabulous, I love the look it gives.
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This looks great with so many fall colors. I’m new to quilting, but I want to make one like this!
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Thank you!
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Stunning! I love the warm colors.
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Take two steps back and see the beauty that we see in what you created instead of the mistakes. Congratulations! It is gorgeous! Keep creating!
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It is beautiful. I love it!
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I love the rich colors and the sharp contrast with the light squares. This is absolutely beautiful! I like it better than the table runner with the eight inch square in the center. I have a collection of batiks that would be perfect for this so I do plan to make one myself. Thank you so much for sharing this.
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Thank you for my next project.So what did you do with the leftover scraps? Diane
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I really love your French Braid tablerunner , your fabric choices are perfect. As I see time has passed I can only imagine what great projects you have done since.
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Love it! I don’t quilt and was hoping this was for sale on Etsy from you! Bummer. Gorgeous!!!
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Love your table runner. In fact bought batiks to make my own. Can you please share how you did the serpentine quilting? Thanks so much.
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I used a stitch on my machine and a walking foot. Can you let me know how you saw my table runner? Was is on pinterest? Thanks for liking it!
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Pinterest it was. Find the best ideas there.
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I love it. The colors are stunning!
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Thank you!
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Beautiful!! I agree with Karen’s comment, step back and enjoy the beauty of the runner and don’t look for mistakes! The colors are stunning! You will enjoy using this for many years! Thanks for sharing.
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Beautiful! The colours are stunning! You have done a fantastic job.
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Beautiful! I love the fall colors. I would like to make one.
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Absolutely gorgeous!! Love you fall colors, my favorite. The quilting is very nice! I need to try that one on my next runner. Thank you for sharing your beautiful runner! 💞
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Gorgeous, just finished the top and ready to quilt to go on the Christmas table, love yours too, so cheerful!
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How do you know how much to cut off? I have a table runner that has all those odd ends on it and I cannot figure out how to cut it off?
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I just googled how wide the average table runner pattern is and cut my sides to that width. Good luck!
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You can do this quilt as you go by sewin the square on one set of strips.
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Hi. Love the colors! May I suggest you look at the Missouri Star Quilt Company’s tutorial on how to make a table runner from precut strips using the binding tool! The advantage of using the tool is that there is absolutely no waste and nothing to trim because the diagona end of the cut you make becomes the side edge of your runner. Simply extend the length at the straight end to make the strips the length you want. I made one using the tool and it turned out great! With a border, mine was wide enough without measuring extra length before cutting. Have fun!
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Hi! This pattern is a good one for “quilt-as-you-go” which would not require quilting on the top. Simply sew your strips directly onto your batting (and backing fabric if you want to). Then you only have to attach the binding strips. OR you can always use the “turn inside out” method which would not require binding. Best wishes!
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I was looking on Pinterest for ideas for a Christmas table runner when I found your French braid runner. Your color layout is lovely! Well done!
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I really love it. I am just can’t wrap my head around how your made it a rectangle instead of a point since that is what it becomes. How much did you have to cut off?
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I decided how wide I wanted my table runner to be and kept the squares in the center then cut as I sewed.
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Is there any possibility of acquiring the pattern for the French Braid Runner? I really want to make it, but am so bad at figuring out how!
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You can probably google a free pattern for this. I just made it up.
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It is beautiful I would like to make that for my table I’ve been thinking of what pattern to use that is great I hope it will be ok if I use this pattern thx Cindy from Colorado
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Absolutely. Feel free.
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Absolutely loved this table runner, the colors you used and the rectangle shape. I’m a beginner, a real beginner and would love to make this for my daughter. I’m not sure how to get started without the middle square. Is there any way you could tell us how to get started. Thanks so much
Lena
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I made this a long time ago when I was a beginner. I would suggest you google a little more. I started with a 2.5 inch square in the middle, I think, and just winged it. Don’t be afraid to try and make mistakes. It’s the only way you’ll learn.
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Your table runner is absolutely stunning! Sometimes the imperfections that we see in our work is what makes it so totally unique. Your quilting is beautiful imperfections and all 🙂 !!!!!
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Thank you!
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I think it’s beautiful
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I love this and am going to try to do something like it for Thanksgiving. Just bought fabric. Have NO IDEA on how to do the pattern but I’ll figure it out! Thanks so much for sharing! -Sandi
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It is a beauty – colourful! Appreciate you sharing!
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Do you remember which fabric you used? I love it! Beautiful work!
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This runner is stunning! I’ve been looking for one to make, and this one is perfect for me! The colors are stunning, and I’d never have thought of buying jelly rolls for this, but it makes perfect sense. Thank you for generously sharing!
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I really like the way you did yours!! Great choice of fabrics. Love it! Thanks for sharing.
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I think it is beautiful and I love the color pallet.
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I love, love, love the colors!!! So beautiful. Thank you for the inspiration.
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This is exactly what I wanted–one with the squared off ends, not the pointed ones! Thank you for sharing.
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I’m going to say exactly what’s been said here because I just can’t come up with anything new. I love it, very creative of you and you did an awesome job. I’m going to copy it also. Don’t know if anyone else mentioned this to you but you should send it into Jenny at Missouri Star Quilting, if you haven’t already done that.
Girl, you’ve got talent!
Glenda
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Beautiful. Do sell table runners like this one?
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Are you able to share your sewing instructions. I really like it and would like to make one for my step daughter for her birthday next month. Thanks….
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Do you recall the name of the jelly roll fabric and who is it by.? Just fabulous.
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I just love it and I am definitely going to try it!!
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Here it is September 2020 and your table runner is still a hit! I’ve made a full size French braid quilt. What I really love is your quilting! That is what I want to learn next! Quilting on my little machine.
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