Southfields Table Runner Project

This is Chris from Needlepointers.com and I’m here to share this new table runner I made. This is the Southfields table runner and the pattern is from a book named Tabletastic! 2 by Doug Leko of Antler Quilt Design.

I purchased a kit and the book to make this table runner from The Crabby Quilter quilt shop in Annapolis, MD.  While visiting their shop, I saw a sample of this table runner and just loved the colors.  I am also into stars lately!

This table runner is comprised of stars, four patches, and squares.  The kit included six batik prints for the stars and ten batik prints for the squares and four patches. It also included a white background fabric and enough fabric to create the scrappy backing and binding.

Learn more about this Southfields table runner by watching our video through the link below or keep reading this article.

WHAT YOU NEED to make the Southfields table runner

• Tabletastic 2 Book by Doug Leko of Antler Quilt Designs
• Fabrics as specified in the pattern
• Thread
• Sewing Machine
• Rulers, Mat, Rotary Cutter

About the Pattern

The Southfields pattern used for this table runner is from the book Tabletastic 2 by Doug Leko.  This book has many patterns for fantastic table runners!

The pattern in the book gives you step-by-step cutting and assembly instructions with lots of illustrations. 

Since this is a pattern from a published book, I cannot give you step-by-step instructions on how to make the table runner since that would violate the author's copyright.

But, I will give you some tips on how to make this table runner that can help you.  I also used an Accuquilt Go! Qube to cut the pieces for the table runner and I'll give you some information on cutting the fabrics for this table runner with Accuquilt.

If you don't have an Accuquilt Cutter, skip down to the Tips section below!

Cutting the pieces with an Accuquilt QubE

If you have an Accuquilt cutting system, you may wonder if you can use it to cut the pieces for this Southfields table runner.  Yes, you can!

Any Accuquilt Qube can be used to cut all except two pieces of this table runner and it speeds up the process of cutting the many different fabrics and assembling the stars. 

With the Qube, the flying geese block triangles can be cut and then quickly sewn together.  

I have a 5” Qube and it cut the blocks a little smaller than the original pattern size, so my runner finished at 13” x 36 ½”.  The original table runner pattern makes a runner 15-1/2” x 45-1/2”.

If you want the same finished size table runner as in the pattern, use a 6” Accuquilt Qube.  The stars in the pattern finish to 6 1/2" square which will match the size of the 6" Qube version.

You could use any size Accuquilt Cube to cut the fabrics for this table runner but the finished size of the table runner will change according to the size of the Qube.

Accuquilt Qube Dies to Use

To cut the fabrics for this table runner use four dies from the Accuquilt Qube:

Die #1, Square –  For the centers of the stars

Die #2, Square – For the background and the larger chain blocks

Die #4, Quarter Square Triangle - For the flying geese blocks

Die #5, Half Square Triangle - For the flying geese blocks

I was able to cut all of the pieces for the table runner with the Qube except for two rectangles.  Those two rectangles did not match up to the size in the Accuquilt Qube so measure and cut those out when you are at that step.  Or use the instructions in the book.

Even if you use Accuquilt to cut the pieces for this table runner, I do recommend purchasing the book to assemble the table runner.  This table runner is not as straightforward to assemble as you might think.  There is even a partial seam in the assembly process.

Tips for making the Southfields Table Runner

Tip #1: If you cut with Accuquilt

If you cut the fabrics with an Accuquilt Qube, skip the instructions in Step 1 and assemble your flying geese by sewing together the quarter square triangles and half square triangles.

Look at the finished table runner photo in the book for guidance.  After that continue with the remaining steps as in the instructions.

Tip #2: Label Cut Pieces

Label the cut pieces as recommended in the cutting instructions for this pattern. This will help a LOT when you are assembling the table runner together.

I have flower head pins with numbers and letters written on them with a Sharpie marker.

These are perfect to use to label the different fabrics as indicated in the pattern.

After assembling a "unit" label that unit with a pin to keep track of it.

Tip #3: Reading the Pattern

At the beginning of each step, it tells you how many pieces of each fabric or the "units" needed for the step.  The fabrics needed are listed using labels from the cutting instructions or the previously assembled unit labels. 

At the end of each step, it will indicate how many of the units to make and then it will give the unit a name (ie. Unit B). 

So, for the Sawtooth Star assembly in step 2, it says to make six and the label is “Unit B”.  In the next steps, the pattern will refer to the “unit” name.

Tip #4: Fabric and Unit Letters

Don’t get confused by the Fabric letters and the Unit letters.  The fabrics are labeled with A, B, C, etc.  The units are labeled Unit A, Unit B, Unit C, etc.

It may have been better if the author numbered the units instead of using letters so there wouldn’t be both a 'Fabric A' and a 'Unit A'.  I found this a bit confusing.

Tip #5: Ironing the Seams

The instructions in the book indicate which way to iron each of the seams. Look for the arrows in each diagram to see which way to iron the seams. It’s important to follow the ironing instructions so the block seams will nest together properly and your points will match up.

Tip #6: Partial Seam

In step 7 there is a partial seam. The instructions say to sew a background piece onto 'Unit F' but to stop 1” before the seam is finished.  Don’t worry, you will pick up and sew that seam later in step 10.

The diagrams in the pattern are very detailed and make it easier to understand how to assemble the table runner.

Those are the tips I have for assembling this Southfields table runner by Doug Leko.  

Please scroll down to after this article to purchase the book and other supplies for this table runner.

Finishing the Table Runner

The kit included enough fabric to make a scrappy back and scrappy binding. 

I quilted Stars onto the table runner with my embroidery machine and an edge-to-edge quilting design.

For the binding, I used our Quick Quilt Binding method.  To calculate the amount of binding you need for this table runner, use our Quilt Binding Calculator.

Other Quilted Table Runners you may be interested in:

• Valentine's Table Runner
• Wavy Table Runner
• 15-minute Table Runner