Lorna from Sew Fresh Quilts took the Kona Club Challenge this month and made a beautiful table runner. Lorna is a prolific quilter and talented designer. Her blog is a treasure trove of projects, inspiration, tutorials and more! Make sure you follow her on Sew Fresh Quilts.Lorna used the colors we sent out in April 2014 for Kona Club for her project today. We hope you enjoy this tutorial and make one of your own. We are giving away the fat quarters that Lorna used in this tutorial so be sure to leave a comment on this post to win!
Flowering Table Runner
Hello Kona Quilting Cottons lovers! Are you up for the Kona Challenge?
My name is Lorna McMahon, a modern quilter, designer and the author of Sew Fresh Quilts. Today I will be sharing the results of my Kona Challenge project and an easy tutorial for the Flowering Table Runner. 6 Blocks result in a finished runner approximately size 12” x 58”
![]() |
| Flowering Table Runner - 12" x 58" |
I was totally inspired by this April 2014 Kona Club bundle. Such fresh and spring like colours - they remind me of flowers!
6 Flower Blocks can be made using the following materials:
Fat Quarter – Kona Cactus
Fat Quarter – Kona Buttercup
Fat Quarter – Kona Carrot
Fat Quarter – Kona Eggshell
Fat Quarter – Border fabric - Kona Snow
You will also need:
1/2 Yard of Binding fabric
Backing and Batting to cover 16" x 62"
Read through entire instructions before beginning.
Cutting:
From Fat Quarter – Off White (Eggshell) cut
(12) @ 3” squares
(25) @ 1.5” x 3.5” rectangles
(48) @ 1.5” squares

From Fat Quarter – Green (Cactus) cut
(25) @ 3.5” squares
From Fat Quarter – Kona Buttercup
AND Fat Quarter – Kona Carrot
(18) @ 3” squares
From Fat Quarter – Kona Snow cut
(6) @ 1.5” squares
(8) @ 2” wide strips for borders
Crosscut (6) of the 2” strips in half to make (14) pieces approximately 10.5” long

Making the Leaf Units:
Place (2) Off White 1.5” squares on opposing corners of a Green 3.5” square and sew along the diagonal (Figure 1). Trim the ¼” seam (Figure 2). Press the seam open (Figure 3). Sew an Off White 1.5” x 3.5” rectangle onto the side and press the seam open. Make 24.
Making the HST units:
Please note that the fabric squares should be ‘sandwiched’ with right sides facing together, and line up on all sides as accurately as possible. The diagram does not show this accuracy for demonstrative purposes.
Pair up (12) of the 3” yellow squares with (12) of the 3” orange squares. Pair up the (12) 3” off white squares with the (6) remaining 3” yellow squares and the (6) remaining 3” orange squares.
Take a 3” yellow square and a 3” orange square and ‘sandwich’ them together with right sides facing together as shown in Figure A. Using a pencil and ruler, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the fabric, from the top corner to the bottom corner as shown in blue in Figure B. This is your guide line. Sew a ¼” seam on the right of the blue line from edge to edge as shown in red in Figure C.
Chain piece your HST's by continuing these steps shown in Figures A, B and C. At the end of the last seam, turn your chain of sandwiches around and sew back along the opposite side of the guide line on each sandwich square as shown in Figure D. Then bring the chain of squares to your ironing board and clip the threads between the sandwiched squares. Press to set the seams.
Cut along the blue guide line as shown in Figure E. Trim each of the resulting triangles to size using your acrylic ruler. Measure from the seam to the corner, and make sure the seam is at a 45° angle to the sides, as shown in Figure F. The seam will line up with the dots on your ruler. Trim the square to 2.5”.
Open the triangle and finger press the seam open. Press the seam open with the iron. Flip the unit over and re-press it on the right side. From the right side of the fabric, your square should look like Figure G. Trim the fabric points (dog ears) so that you have a neatly finished 2.5" square, as shown in Figure H.
Now repeat these steps to make the remaining units from all the 3” squares. These will now be referred to as HSTs.
Making the Blocks:
Step 1:
Match each Off White HST to an Orange and Yellow HST, as shown, and sew together. Press seams open.
Step 2:
Sew each HST unit to a Leaf unit, as shown. Press seams open.
Step 3:
Arrange four of these completed HSTLeaf units around a White 1.5” square, as shown.
Step 4:
Place the center square onto the first HSTLeaf unit, as shown. Begin stitching approximately midway down the square, backstitch and then continue sewing off the edge, shown in red.
Step 5:
Press seam away from the square and arrange your next HSTLeaf unit, as shown.
Step 6:
Flip the HSTLeaf unit with the center square on top of the next HSTLeaf unit, as shown. Sew a complete seam, shown in red. The grey in the diagram indicates this is the wrong side of the fabric.
Step 7:
Press the seam away from the square. Arrange your next HSTLeaf unit, as shown.
Step 8:
As you did in Step 6, flip the HSTLeaf unit with the center square on top of the next HSTLeaf unit and, with right sides together, sew a complete seam. Press the seam away from the square. Then arrange your next HSTLeaf unit, as shown.
Step 9:
Now fold that first HSTLeaf unit up from the partial seam.
Step 10:
Then flip the final HSTLeaf unit on top of the HST Leaf unit with the center square and, with right sides together, sew a complete seam. Press the seam toward the HST Leaf unit.
Step 11:
Now to complete the partial seam, flip that first HSTLeaf unit on top of the HSTLeaf unit with the center square and, with right sides together, finish sewing the complete seam, backstitching where the partial seam was left off. Press the seam toward the HSTLeaf unit.
Repeat these steps to make all 6 blocks.
Assembling the Table Runner:
Sew the (6) White 2” x 10.5” Border strips onto the sides of the blocks and press seams open.
Arrange the blocks into a row, sew together, and press the seams. Sew the (2) remaining White 2” x 21” Border strips onto the end blocks, press seams and trim to width.
| Flowering Table Runner by Sew Fresh Quilts - 12" x 58" |
Prepare your backing. Layer the backing, batting and quilt top. Baste and then quilt as desired. Trim quilt backing and batting even with the quilt top. Cut 4 strips at 2.5” x WOF for binding. Prepare your binding and attach your binding to the finished quilt.
![]() |
| Flowering Table Runner - 12" x 58" |
I do hope you enjoyed this tutorial and will give it a try! Trust me.... You will find that partial seams are really not hard. And now you have a lovely Flowering Table Runner!
If you interested in making a flanged binding like the one shown in this photo, the full instructions for making and applying the Flanged Binding can be found here.
Keep On Quilting On!
Giveaway!
You could win 4 fat quarters of the Kona Cotton Solids Lorna used to make her Flowering Table Runner!
Just leave a comment on this post for a chance to win.
If you are no-reply/Wordpress blogger please leave your email id in the post.
Just leave a comment on this post for a chance to win.
If you are no-reply/Wordpress blogger please leave your email id in the post.
We will leave the giveaway open till Thursday, January 29.
Winner will be announced Friday, January 30.
Good luck everybody and enjoy making your very own Flowering Table Runner!
Many thanks to Lorna from Sew Fresh Quilts for this awesome tutorial.
Click here for more details on Kona Club.
Winner will be announced Friday, January 30.
Good luck everybody and enjoy making your very own Flowering Table Runner!
Many thanks to Lorna from Sew Fresh Quilts for this awesome tutorial.
Click here for more details on Kona Club.
This guest post was written by Lorna McMahon, modern quilter, designer and the author of the Sew Fresh Quilts blog. On her website, you can learn from her creative processes as she shares her love of modern quilting, tips and tutorials.
Connect with me in the following ways!

















101 comments:
Love the Flowering table runner, it brings promise of spring!
I've been looking forward to this tutorial - can't wait to make it! :)
Well, I think I could make this... thanks to your awesome tutorial!! I love the stitched leaves - beautiful!!! This runner is definitely a promise that spring is just around the corner ;-)
I just LOVE this fabric and your runner is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you so much for the chance to win!
As a newbie quilter, this looks like a fun challenge and I want to start quilting with solids - a double win! Just lovely!
What a lovely runner, so bright and cheery! I would definitely make this! Love the solid colors.
Great giveaway! I already follow Lorna and love her blog!
very nice!
Very nice! Love those colors!
I love the flowers. I think I'd make mine into a pillow cover ann@furnaceland.bc.ca
I love the flowers. I think I'd make mine into a pillow cover ann@furnaceland.bc.ca
Lorna, your runner is so warm and toasty feeling, as it's cold here.
Thanks for the splendid leaf tutorial and the partial seams
seem possible for me now. I'm also going to try FMQ on the leaf/leaves.
This will be a first for me, I'm taking a class in two days!!
THanks for sharing the Kona giveaway.
bluestarof2(at)yahoo(dot)com
Great tutorial - thank you!
I love the colours!
What great instructions! love the beautiful colors.
dundas645@aol.com
I love that block! I can't wait to try it out - sounds like a perfect activity for my snow day out here in Nova Scotia! Thanks KaliaContiki@gmail.com
So bright and cheerful. And thank you for the clear easy tutorial. Adding this to my to-do list!!!
I love Lorna's patterns! Thanks so much for sharing this ~ and thanks for the giveaway! (fingers crossed ...)
Very pretty Lorna! Thanks for the great tutorial.
Love the colors used in this runner. I'm going to see what I have and try this out, who couldn't use another runner or a gift stash :)
Robin in Washington State
assweetaspeaches hotmail
That is really pretty. I love the flanged binding too.
Great Kona colours for spring! I like this runner even if it does have a lot of little pieces! Love the quilting on the leaves and the flanged binding!
Would love to try it and of course to win would even be that much better.
Such a beautiful design for the spring....thank you for sharing it.
This is a very pretty tablerunner!
Spring is surely coming with this beautiful runner. Thanks for the chance to win.
This is beautiful. I would love to make this in those colors. Your tutorial is great
Love those colors great tutorial too. Thanks
It's so FRESH looking. Lovely pattern
love it!! this is a great colour combo to squash the winter blues!! Great job
Love the bright colours!
What a lovely runner and great colors. I am just getting "into" solids, so these would be a welcome addition to my stash. Thanks for the opportunity!
I have been admiring Lorna's runner, I follow her via e-mail.
Thank you for the tutorial, and the chance at the giveaway.
This tutorial is AWESOME!!!! from the cutting diagrams to the clarity of the block assembly! Really, this is super...and super cute too!!!
Great tutorial! Would love to win the Kona fabric - it's my go to solid cotton.
beautiful table runner - I love the colors. Thank you for giving us a chance to win some fat quarters from Kona - it is very appreciated,
from rachel.gagnon5@sympatico.ca, Cantley, Québec
Wow, great table runner!
Thanks to Lorna for a great pattern.
And thanks to sew sisters for the contest.
Happy quilting!
drreneejean@gmail.com
Nice tutorial! Those colors definitely cheer up a gloomy January day.
dragonfly9716 at yahoo dot com
Love the colours and design of this table runner. Great fun.
I love this table runner - it is so happy! Thanks!
Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.
I really like the color choices. Very nice.
Thank you for the tutorial - I love flower-themed projects!
Such a pretty table runner and lovely colours! Our flowers think it is already spring and are beginning to shoot!
Thanks for the great tutorial & the chance to win.
Pretty table runner, good tutorial. 24Tangent@gmail.com
Great table runner and super tutorial. The colours and blocks of this table runner assure us that spring is on its way. Thanks for sharing.
Certainly needed to see those amazingly happy colours on this cold January day.
Wonderful tutorial. Thank you.
laura84watt(at)gmail.com
Ooooh what a Beautiful Tablerunner!! Thanks for the Tutorial too! Looove it...soooo Summery! (& is soooo Snowy here..lol)
Beautiful colours. Great information.
Gorgeous tablerunner, Lorna! Those Kona colours are as fresh as Spring. Love them! Thank you for the wonderful tutorial and the chance to win some Kona.
Wonderful runner and tutorial!! I love solids and is a toss up between Kona and Bella...love them both!! your colors couldn't be more perfect. thanks for this chance!!!!
I love this flowery table runner and the bright citrusy colors.
Absolutely gorgeous table runner. Too bad my table is both round and small...
Lovely Table Runner! I am definitely longing for spring :)
Love the colors! The table runner is gorgeous!
What a beautiful, perfect table runner! Love the solids. :)
WOW! This is a must do for me. I love it! Thanks so much for the tutorial & a chance to win the give-away.
Maureen
mgw070 at rogers dot com
What a beautiful table runner. It looks like it would brighten any table for Spring and Summer. Great colors and the quilting on the leaves looks great.
Thank you for an excellent tutorial also.
Wow! Lorna's table runner is beautiful. Thank you for the chance to win the fabrics.
That runner is just fresh looking--makes me think Spring is possible:)
Not sure why the name Gene appears--that is from an OLD site many years ago:)
Its Joanne.
The table runner just screams Spring! I love the colors!
Beautiful table runner. Lovely Kona solids. She did a good job with the quilting too.
Lorna,
Love that block. Instructions were great. I particularly like the way the quilting in the leaves "softens" the look of the leaves!
Love the table runner. Nancy A: rangerer@sbcglobal.net
So fresh and vivid! Makes me think of lemons and tangerines, warm climate and sunshine!!
Great tut and awesome pattern
Your table runner is adorable. Thank you for the tutorial to make one & a chance to win. Happy Quilting :)
stunning!! thanks for sharing!
What a great tutorial, thank you for the opportunity to win!
~Brandy
I really love the flanged binding. Definitely on my too try list. My problem is by the time I get to the binding I am in too much of a rush to get finished so I can get onto the next project.
Wow! What a beautiful table runner. Great tutorial as well.
Spring is not too far away! Beautiful table runner!
You write such thorough instructions, thank you Lorna!
THINK SPRING! That's what the Flowering runner does for me! Thanks for sharing.
Super cute runner! Wonderful tutorial too. It makes me want to get started on this pattern!
I love Kona cottons
Another inspiring block to make - love the bright spring (dare I say it) colors
What a pretty table runner! The flanged binding is a beautiful complement! Thank you for the tutorial and the opportunity to win a Kona Solids bundle!
I love your table runner....love the color combination....
I really like your table runner. Those colors would look perfect in my house. So cheery and fun.
Just beautiful! The fabrics remind me of spring...which is only 50 days away! We have a ton of snow to disappear before then, so I am looking forward to that.
The table runner is so cute. Thank you for sharing!
dawnm1993(at)gmail(dot)com
Very fresh and springy! Thanks for the giveaway, and the great tutorial. sarah@forrussia.org
Very well done tutorial.
I really like this runner. I will have to make one for my table. Thanks for the tutorial.
Love those super bright fun colors!
Great tutorial. Thanks for sharing.
Kathy Davis
kdavis1@centurytel.net
love the colors and always enjoy tutorials
Very cute!!!!!!! Love the color of the fabric!!!!! sonjasmith76@yahoo.com
Beautiful, if I win I will make it!
cork@pa.rr.com
Lovely table runner, I especially like the flanged binding. What a neat technique!
Loving those lovely fabrics.Hoping to win tho.
This is a beautiful table runner! The quilting really makes it "pop"!
Lorna always creates amazing things!
I love these colors! And thanks for the tutorial- very pretty :)
I've been making some table runners and I love yours:)
These colors are very pretty! I love the table runner.
Bright and cheery! I love it and what a great tutorial. Thank you for the chance to win.
I work alot with fat quarters and would love to use these. The table runner is awesome!
What a beautiful table runner!
I love the colour palette that Lona used. Very fresh and springlike.
Post a Comment