ZIP LINES
TABLE SET
TECHNIQUE
Side-by-Side Method
Fold-Under Method
Selvages become abstract lines in these projects. They don’t take many selvages at all and should go together in a zip! You can make just the runner or make the matching place mats too for a complete modern table set.
Zip Lines Table Runner
Materials
Yardages are based on fabric that is at least 40˝ wide.
• Solid fabric: 1¼ yards for background and binding
• Wide-cut selvages: 10 strips, each at least 16˝ long
• Narrow-cut selvages: 6 strips, each at least 16˝ long
• Backing: 1⅛ yards
• Batting: 19˝ × 56˝
• Glue stick
• White thread
Cutting
WOF = width of fabric
SOLID FABRIC FOR BACKGROUND
• Cut 1 strip 14½˝ × WOF.
Subcut a rectangle 14½˝ × 40˝.
• Cut 1 rectangle 12˝ × 14½˝.
SOLID FABRIC FOR BINDING
• Cut 4 strips 2¼˝ × WOF.
WIDE-CUT SELVAGES
• Cut 10 strips 16˝ long.
NARROW-CUT SELVAGES
• Cut 6 strips 16˝ long.
Tip
If you’re making a matching set of the table runner and place mats, you’ll probably use the same background fabric for both projects. It’s also nice to use a few of the same selvages to really make the set look coordinated. Perhaps set aside your long selvages saved from larger fabric cuts for these projects.
CONSTRUCTION
Use a ¼˝ seam allowance and press seams open throughout.
Make the Background
Sew the 14½˝ × 40˝ background rectangle to the 14½˝ × 12˝ background rectangle to create a base 14½˝ × 51½˝. Press.
Prepare the Selvages
1. Sort the 10 wide-cut selvage strips into 5 pairs. Referring to the Side-by-Side Method, sew the pairs together.
2. Using the Fold-Under Method, prepare the 6 narrow-cut selvages.
Make the Table Runner
1. Plan the arrangement of your selvages on the background fabric. You do not need placement measurements to design the runner, as it is an abstract design. Follow the table runner assembly diagram if you would like to arrange the selvages the same way I did. Or do your own thing. Angle selvages slightly or place them straight. The ends of each selvage should extend to the sides of the background fabric or beyond it.
2. Referring to the Side-by-Side Method for the wide-cut selvages and the Fold-Under Method for the narrow-cut selvages, glue and sew each selvage in place. Press. Trim the excess selvages even with the sides of the background fabric.
FINISH THE TABLE RUNNER
Quilt and bind as desired.
Tip
Straight-line quilting is the perfect complement to this project. Start by quilting lines just ¼˝ from each selvage edge on both sides. Add additional straight or angled quilting lines randomly to give even more interest.
Zip Lines Place Mats
Materials
Amounts listed are to make a set of 4 place mats. Yardages are based on fabric that is at least 40˝ wide.
• Solid fabric: 1⅓ yards for background and binding
• Wide-cut selvages: 8 strips, each at least 14˝ long
• Narrow-cut selvages: 6 strips, each at least 14˝ long
• Backing: 1⅓ yards
• Batting: 4 rectangles, each 15˝ × 22˝
• Glue stick
• White thread
Cutting
WOF = width of fabric
SOLID FABRIC FOR BACKGROUND
• Cut 2 strips 12½˝ × WOF.
Subcut 4 rectangles 12½˝ × 19½˝.
SOLID FABRIC FOR BINDING
• Cut 8 strips 2¼˝ × WOF.
WIDE-CUT SELVAGES
• Cut 8 strips 14˝ long.
NARROW-CUT SELVAGES
• Cut 6 strips 14˝ long.
CONSTRUCTION
Prepare the Selvages
1. Sort the 8 wide-cut selvage strips into 4 pairs. Referring to the Side-by-Side Method, sew pairs together.
2. Using the Fold-Under Method, prepare the 6 narrow-cut selvages.
Make the Place Mats
1. Arrange the selvages according to the place mat assembly diagrams. Note that 2 place mats have 2 narrow selvages and 2 have just 1 narrow selvage.
Place mat assembly
2. Referring to the Side-by-Side Method for the wide-cut selvages and the Fold-Under Method for the narrow-cut selvages, glue and sew each selvage in place. Press. Trim the excess selvages even with the sides of the background fabric.
FINISH THE PLACE MATS
Quilt and bind as desired.
Set on table. Promptly invite guests over to admire your creations.