Designer Shelley Robson's quick stitch-and-flip method uses lots of different red fabrics across this mouthwatering table runner. Just place one strip on top of another, stitch, and continue adding more strips until the layers are covered.

8  1/8-yard pieces assorted red prints (table runner top)
1/8 yard solid red (binding)
1/4 yard solid white (piping)
1/4 yard green print (binding)
3/8 yard backing fabric
17 x 34 inches thin quilt batting
11  3/4-inch-long black heart-shape buttons
Quilt basting spray (optional)

Finished Table Runner: 11 x 28 inches
Quantities are for 44/45-inch- wide, 100% cotton fabrics. All measurements include a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated.

To make the best use of your fabrics, cut the pieces in the following order.

From each assorted red print, cut:
2  1-1/2-x-42-inch strips

From solid red, cut:
1  2-1/2-x-42-inch binding strip

From solid white, cut:
Enough 1-inch-wide bias strips to total 50 inches in length for piping

From green print, cut:
Enough 1-1/4-inch-wide bias strips to total 50 inches in length for binding

From each of backing fabric and lightweight quilt batting, cut:
Cut the half circle shape of a watermelon.

 

1. Lay backing fabric A piece on your work surface with right side down. Place batting A piece on top. If desired, use quilt basting spray to secure layers together.

2. With right side up, place a red print 1-1/2-x-42-inch strip across the middle of the layered A pieces; one strip end should extend just beyond top of layered A pieces. Trim excess red print strip just beyond bottom edge (Diagram 1).

 

 

3. With right side down, place a second red print 1-1/2-x-42-inch strip atop first strip; trim excess strip as before. Sew together through all layers (Diagram 2). Finger-press top strip open.

 

4. Continue adding assorted red print strips in both directions until layered A pieces are covered; press.

5. Center the B template on the strip-covered A piece; trace around and cut out to make table runner (Diagram 3).

 

 

1. Use solid red binding strip to bind straight edge of table runner.
2. Using diagonal seams, sew together solid white 1-inch-wide bias strips to make a 50-inch-long strip.
3. In same manner, join green print 1-1/4-inch-wide bias strips to make a 50-inch-long strip.
4. Sew together solid white and green print bias strips along one long edge to make a pieced binding strip. Press seam toward green print strip. Fold under each short end of pieced binding strip 1/2 inch; press.
5. On back side of table runner, align green edge of pieced binding strip with table runner's curved raw edge. Sew binding to table runner, easing in a little extra fabric around curves. Turn pieced binding to right side of table runner and turn under raw edge 1/4 inch, leaving a small band of solid white showing (Diagram 4). Hand-stitch binding in place.
6. Referring to photograph on page 11 for placement, hand-sew buttons on table runner.