EZ Dresden Challenge Tutorial: Table Runner

by Nicole

Welcome to Day 9 of the EZ Dresden Quilting Challenge blog hop!

The Salt Lake Modern Quilt Guild has partnered with Simplicity to host this challenge to celebrate Darlene Zimmerman’s 20th anniversary designing tools for EZ Quilting. There are some amazing prizes to be won! Click here for more details.

In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to use the EZ Dresden ruler to make a table runner. It’s a simple and quick project that is sure to spruce up your dining room table.

 

runner_tutorial
Finished Size:
 
15 1/2″ x 60″
 
Materials needed:
10-12 different fabrics totaling 1 1/4 yards
20″ x 64″ batting
20″ x 64″ fabric for backing
1/3 yard fabric for binding
Cutting:
For this runner, you’ll need a total of 72 blades.
1. Begin by cutting the fabric into 8″ strips.  Place the ruler on the strip and make sure to align the strip with the top and bottom edge of the ruler.
2. When cutting the first blade, you will need to cut off and discard the extra fabric that is left over after cutting the left side of the ruler. Cut along the right side. You’ll have one blade.
Turn the ruler around and place at the edge where you just cut. Cut along the right side for the second blade.
3. Continue turning the ruler and cutting the remaining blades.
Piecing:
 
1. To piece the blades, select two blades and place them in opposite directions. When placed in the same direction, they will form a curve that will give you a traditional dresden. In opposite directions, they act like tumblers.
2. Place right sides together and overlap the blades so that the corners at the top and bottom meet on one side. The top blade will be at an angle. Pin and sew together.
3. Press seams open. Your blades should look like this.
4. Sew together two blades at a time and then sew the pairs together. Press seams open.
5. Sew blades together until you have 36 blades in one row.
6. Repeat for a second row of 36 blades.
7. Sew the two rows together by placing right sides together. Center the narrow ends of the blades of one row with the wide ends of the blades in the second row.
For a different look, match the seams so that the narrow ends of each row are matched with the narrow ends of the other row and the wide ends of one row are matched with the wide ends of the other row.
Quilting:
1. Quilt as desired. I opted for straight lines 1/4″ apart.
runner3
2. When you’ve finished quilting, trim each end of the runner so that you have a straight edge. You may also want to sew a straight line right next to the cut edge to prevent the stitches from unraveling.
3. Bind.
binding
4. Invite friends over to dinner to show off your new table runner!

runner_finished

 

If you make this runner, I would love to see it. Feel free to upload it to the Mama Love Quilts flickr pool. If you have any questions about the tutorial, please feel free to ask.
Be sure to stop by the other blogs for inspiration for your Dresden project!
June 2
June 3
June 15
Salt Lake Modern Quilt Guild: Wrap-up http://www.slmqg.com/
Thanks to all the wonderful sponsors!

 

 
Want a chance to win an EZ Dresden ruler? Leave me a comment and you’ll be entered to win!
The giveaway will be open until Monday, June 11th at 9 p.m. EST. I’ll let random.org pick a winner and will ship the ruler to one lucky reader anywhere in the world.
Good luck and happy sewing!The giveaway is closed. 

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92 comments

Katy Cameron June 9, 2012 - 11:55 am

Very cool, and love how you quilted it too!

RutegersWife June 9, 2012 - 12:14 pm

Beautiful! Thank you for such clear and concise directions.

KaHolly June 9, 2012 - 12:26 pm

Quite stunning! You did a great job with the tutorial and your pictures are so clear.

Shankevia June 9, 2012 - 12:50 pm

Love the table runner. Great job on all of your recent projects.

Taryn June 9, 2012 - 12:50 pm

Such a beautiful, modern table runner, I love the quilting! That ruler is so versatile!

Wanda June 9, 2012 - 12:55 pm

I just wanted to say I think your table runner is quite lovely. I already have the ruler so if I'm picked pass me by. I couldn't not comment about the runner. Love the color selection.

Needled Mom June 9, 2012 - 1:07 pm

I love the quilting that you did on that runner. Nice job and thanks for the tutorial.

Sew Very Sherry June 9, 2012 - 1:11 pm

Your choice of using solids really sets off the quilting in this runner. Great job.

Deidra June 9, 2012 - 1:25 pm

Great colors. Thanks for the tutorial.

Hilachas June 9, 2012 - 1:33 pm

Nice tutorial, easy to follow. Now all I need is that ruler 😉

Martina June 9, 2012 - 1:34 pm

Such a great tablerunner.Love it!

Anne Rita June 9, 2012 - 1:45 pm

Thanks for the tutorial, now I wish for a dresden ruler! Great colours!

Thanks!

Béa June 9, 2012 - 1:54 pm

Hope to be lucky !Thanks for the chance to win.

Julie June 9, 2012 - 1:57 pm

I love that table runner! Who knew that Dresdens were so versatile! Thanks for the tut and the giveaway!

Heather D. June 9, 2012 - 2:58 pm

I LOVE it and totally want to make one! Thanks for the tut, Nicole.

Sherry June 9, 2012 - 3:15 pm

I love the table runner. What a fun project to make for gifts and practice my quilting. Thanks for the tutorial.

Patti June 9, 2012 - 3:17 pm

Love the way you quilted this table runner!

Gill June 9, 2012 - 3:43 pm

I love your runner Nicole and the quilting is just perfect! I must find one of these rulers!!!

Heidi Staples June 9, 2012 - 4:16 pm

Beautiful, Nicole! I love the fabric you used and dense quilting is always a favorite with me!

Lisa Marie June 9, 2012 - 4:20 pm

I love your table runner! I never considered that I needed one of these dresden rulers until seeing all the great ideas on this blog hop. Thanks for the chance to win!

Susan June 9, 2012 - 4:31 pm

Wow. Love the table runner and the colors you chose. I like all the amazing gadgets so sign me up!

VickiT June 9, 2012 - 4:54 pm

What a beautiful runner. It's great to see other ways to use a tool than the 'normal' way you'd see it used for. I love reading blogs to get more ideas because if I had the Dresden ruler I would probably only use it to create the Dresden flower type design usually seen when the Dresden is mentioned.

I really love your runner and they quilting on it is great and just finished the runner off perfectly. Thank you for showing us.

Gra June 9, 2012 - 5:33 pm

Great work!!! I really love the look of your table runner!!!!The ruler seems to be very handy!!!

Pam June 9, 2012 - 5:35 pm

really really love your runner…so inspired xo

Jenelle June 9, 2012 - 6:00 pm

Your table runner is gorgeous! The quilting really adds a lot of texture, almost like woven grass. Thanks for the giveaway. 🙂

Kmcassie June 9, 2012 - 6:25 pm

It's so bright and cheerful on the table top!

Barb and Sharon June 9, 2012 - 6:54 pm

I love the use of solid fabrics in this project. The quilting line really add to the design. Very modern looking. Thanks for sharing.
Barb@Witsend

CitricSugar June 9, 2012 - 7:00 pm

That runner is really cute! Thanks for the tips and the chance. 🙂

Jennie P. June 9, 2012 - 7:28 pm

I've never made a table runner before. If I won the ruler, I just might because that's pretty neat looking.

creativedawn June 9, 2012 - 7:49 pm

Very nice table runner (!) and it looks stunning on the table. Your quilting is so perfect, I love it!

Lee June 9, 2012 - 8:12 pm

The table runner is lovely – the quilting so nice! thanks for the tutorial!

Laura June 9, 2012 - 8:31 pm

I love this table runner! So pretty!

JoyceLM June 9, 2012 - 9:25 pm

Love your table runner – your quilting really zings. Thanks for the chance to win.

Wayne, Naomi, Sydney and Elijah June 9, 2012 - 9:51 pm

Love the table runner, great use of solids. thanks for the giveaway!

Cherie June 9, 2012 - 10:01 pm

Loving the table runner. Solids can be so much better than prints in some cases. =D

WandaFish June 9, 2012 - 10:30 pm

Thanks for the great tute – the solids really show off the lovely quilting!

Marcia W. June 9, 2012 - 10:44 pm

Great looking table runner and quilting. Thanks for the chance to win the EZ Dresden ruler.

Donna Baker June 10, 2012 - 12:50 am

wow that is gorgeous – so modern and I love the quilting!

Annabanana June 10, 2012 - 2:32 am

I'm so loving all these creative and unique ideas ! The way you quilted the table runner is so cool !

Melanie June 10, 2012 - 2:45 am

Love this especially the quilting! Great job!

Paige June 10, 2012 - 2:59 am

This is beautiful. The colors are so bright and the quilting is a perfect complement to the pattern! http://www.paperstarfish.prettyposies.com

Debdab June 10, 2012 - 3:34 am

Love the "modern" look of your table runner. Thanks

ritainalaska June 10, 2012 - 5:23 am

love what you've done with the dresden ruler! the colors in the runner are rich … it would look marvelous on my entry table, so i'm going to have to get busy! thanx for the opportunity to win the ruler.

Goldogmom June 10, 2012 - 6:31 am

I am enjoying making table runners as a way to practice new quilting skills. I like your dresden pattern and would love to win the ruler.

thank you,
michelle

Valerie June 10, 2012 - 12:32 pm

Nicole, this is beautiful! Great tutorial too:)

LJ June 10, 2012 - 12:57 pm

I love your innovative project.

Jenny June 10, 2012 - 1:05 pm

Lovely! All the solid fabrics are beautiful.

Fran June 10, 2012 - 1:16 pm

I love your project! It would be perfect for making two smaller runners for our bedside tables. Thanks for sharing!

Jana June 10, 2012 - 1:21 pm

Your design is beautiful. I love that you used solids.

Melinda June 10, 2012 - 1:47 pm

Trying hard to win one of these! thanks for the chance!

Rosa June 10, 2012 - 1:53 pm

Beautiful runner and quilting!

Sharon T June 10, 2012 - 3:08 pm

My first visit… Awesome blog! Love your Dresden Table Runner tut. Love the clarity, color, quilting! Thank you!

missfitz63 June 10, 2012 - 3:46 pm

Great instructions! This is definitely something I feel I can make – thank you so much! I enjoyed reading a few of your other blogs, too. You have a new follower…

beth lehman June 10, 2012 - 8:45 pm

oh, mama!! i LOVE it!! and the solids are fantastic! (FAN-tastic!)

Jitka Oherová, Czech Repubic June 10, 2012 - 8:50 pm

I like your runner. You choose very nice colours.

Salamanda's Scrappy Adventures June 10, 2012 - 10:37 pm

Love the bright colours and if I am lucky to get a ruler I would love to make a table runner using your tutorial.

LJ June 11, 2012 - 12:52 am

Very cool. Your quilting really set off the dresden pieces perfectly.

Gayle June 11, 2012 - 1:07 am

LOVE the quilting you did on this piece – makes a strong statement!

Alexis June 11, 2012 - 2:10 am

Very nice. I really like the quilting on this. Thanks for sharing.

Allison C June 11, 2012 - 3:18 am

Would love to try this ruler this ruler! Great job on the quilting!!!

Diann June 11, 2012 - 4:13 am

I like your table runner. It's simple yet striking.

gloriajanine June 11, 2012 - 4:48 am

I love love this runner! I forgot how gorgeous all solids can be!! Thanks for reminding us!

Debbie June 11, 2012 - 5:37 am

oh my gosh Nicole – this is SO lovely! Your quilting just makes it. You are really amazing!

LizA. June 11, 2012 - 6:15 am

Simply stunning. It's really shines on your nice dark table. Thanx for sharing.

Ã…se June 11, 2012 - 6:31 am

Good looking table runner! Would love to try that! :o)
Thanks for the give-away!
aseostebo(at)hotmail(dot)com

Jeanne June 11, 2012 - 8:17 am

Love your table runner and the quilting you did on it. Thanks for the chance to win the ruler.

Vroomans' Quilts June 11, 2012 - 9:30 am

Great table runner with very clear instructions. Beautifully quilted.

Tracey @ The Peony Teacup June 11, 2012 - 12:57 pm

The table runner looks so effective! What a great way to use the Dresdens 🙂

Francine June 11, 2012 - 1:21 pm

I really like your fabrics and quilting design – awesome!

Barbara Konkle June 11, 2012 - 1:40 pm

I love your table runner! I need to tackle a table runner soon! I love the look! Thank you for the chance to win! 🙂

Charlene S June 11, 2012 - 2:12 pm

You table runner is fantastic! I want to make one right now.

Mike Pearson June 11, 2012 - 3:40 pm

That table runner is simply divine!

patty a. June 11, 2012 - 4:20 pm

Your table runner is just plain yummy! I hope nobody spills anything on it!

bruinbr June 11, 2012 - 5:06 pm

What's beautiful runner! Love the quilting too!

Annie June 11, 2012 - 5:56 pm

So cool using the solids this way, love that your project is so unique. Thanks for the giveaway chance!

Jodi - usairdoll June 11, 2012 - 6:14 pm

Awesome tablerunner! Love your color choices and the quilting is beautiful. Thanks for a great tutorial.

Thank you for a great giveaway and a chance to win.

usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com

Julia June 11, 2012 - 6:28 pm

Love your quilts. And this dresden table runner is no exception.

LeAnne June 11, 2012 - 6:35 pm

Great use of the ruler and I really like the way you quilted it.

laurie in texas June 11, 2012 - 6:35 pm

Just found this post – better late right!! I like the table runner – good tutorial. I've always shied away from dresden designs – they looked hard to me – but your tut makes it look easy!! I would LOVE to win this ruler 🙂 Thanks – off to look at the other contributors!!
ChEeRs!

Jennie June 11, 2012 - 6:46 pm

Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!! Love the lines in your tablerunner!

Margaret June 11, 2012 - 6:54 pm

this i great. I have wanted to try the dresden ruler and maybe do a plate pillow or something. Thanks for a chance to win one.

Paige June 11, 2012 - 7:52 pm

Very neat! I'd love to give this pattern a try!

Jessica Jo June 11, 2012 - 8:13 pm

very nice. I want the runner more than the ruler (I'm lazy)

Kate Brown June 11, 2012 - 8:46 pm

Beautiful job on the table runner!

Kathleen June 11, 2012 - 11:51 pm

I love the tablerunner…pretty colors and I love the quilting that you did..thanks for the giveaway…

thisyearsdozen June 12, 2012 - 12:24 am

Your table runner is awesome. Makes me wish I had more solids in my stash.

Donna
don_mae2(at)yahoo(dot)com

Leigh March 12, 2016 - 1:17 pm

My daughter loves solid colors so I see this being addex to my project list. I also like the way you quilted it. Thanks for sharing.

Nicole March 13, 2016 - 11:32 pm

My pleasure, Leigh! Let me know if you have any questions. Happy stitching!

Ursula April 9, 2016 - 12:23 pm

Love this table runner. Among my many fat quater bundles is a cute collection of “burlap” solids. Shall give it a try. Thanks for the inspiration.

Nicole April 10, 2016 - 10:03 pm

Thanks, Ursula! Let me know if you have any questions once you give it a try. Happy stitching!

Nancy McCaffrey April 9, 2016 - 7:49 pm

Love this, modern and colorful and stunning! There is a ruler I now know I’ll put to use more than just for Dresden plate designs, thank you so much for this great tute!

Nicole April 10, 2016 - 10:04 pm

Thank you, Nancy! Please let me know if you have any questions. Happy stitching!

Comments are closed.