Independence Day (July 4th) Table Runner

I am sort of obsessed with stars; I actually have a metal star that is taller than I am hanging on the wall of my home.  I look for any excuse to include stars on my decor, crafts, or dress.  We made these table runners for Super Saturday a few years ago in the fall using fall colors.  You will spend more time cutting than actually sewing this table runner.  This is a great project for new sewer because there is a lot of forgiveness with this project.

Supplies

• Gingham fabric (I used 1/2 yard of backing fabric, and bought 1/4 yard each of 3 reds and 3 blues, but I had quite a bit of leftover fabric that I will use for napkins)
• Scissors
• Sewing machine & thread
• Paper & pen or pencil

Directions

1. Cut 6: 10x12 inch rectangles of backing fabric.
2. Cut 2 reds, and 1 blue: 10x12 inch rectangles.
3. Cut 2 blues, and 1 red: 8x10 inch rectangles.
4. Draw a tall star on a piece of paper.

5. Cut a star on each of the 8x10 inch rectangles.
6. Stack two layers of the background fabric, one of the large rectangles and a contrasting star.

7. Sew through all four layers 1/4 inch from the edge of the star (on the inside of the star, so you are sewing the star down to the other fabric).

8. Repeat steps 6-7 for all three blocks.
9. Sew two of the blocks together by stacking backs together using a 3/8 inch seam allowance.  Repeat to join last star.
10. Sew around the edge of the table runner.  Be sure to open seams when sewing over them.

11. Snip around the table runner, around each star, along the seams.  Be careful not to snip through your seam.

12. When you are finished, it will look like this:

13. All you need to do now is wash your table runner in your washing machine, and dry in the dryer.  This will shrink up and crinkle the edges of your stars, seams, and the edges of the table runner.  Make sure you empty the lint trap in your dryer before and after you dry your table runner.