A New Spin on Old Time Cheddar Quilting
A quilting project that is packed with visual punch and achieved at weekend is so satisfying. The Ride the Wave Table Runner is an ideal project to print out and glue down on your cutting mat, if your dining table is looking a little bare, or you're just itching to play with a classic color palette, it's time to get at work on this.
This pattern is a beautiful miniature version by Joyce Dean Gieszler of her larger quilt Cheddar Together, designed for All People Quilt. It combines all of that vintage and warm toned charm, but takes it to a swift and very rewarding table runner.
Pattern at a Glance
- Feature: Specification
- Designer: Joyce Dean Gieszler
- Finished Runner Size: 1421 inches×4221 inches
- Finished Block Size: 7 inches square
- Skill Level: Confident Beginner
- Core Techniques: Half-Square Triangles (HSTs) and precise seam alignment
Why This Pattern is so Effective
The secret to "Ride the Wave" is the ingenious block rotation. The repeating blocks will offer you a dynamic, flowing movement that dances right down the center of your table when they are paired with rich cheddar orange prints on a crisp neutral background.
Here are some tips to help you sew seamlessly:
Here are some tips to help you sew seamlessly:
- Go Rogue with Color: The "cheddar and cream" color scheme is evergreen, but this is an excellent canvas for scraps. For a sea glass palette, play with teals and sandy neutrals, or create an ultra-modern look with high-contrast black and white prints.
- Learn how to cut and press the HST's: The wave illusion is dependent on sharp lines, so it is important to press and cut them precisely. Make sure that your seams are pushed towards the darker fabrics to avoid the shadowing on the lighter background fabrics.
- Pin Ferfectly: Pin with precision at the intersections of the points. When the “waves” meet at sharp and matching corners, nesting seams will help you achieve that perfect fit.
This pattern is super kind to pre-cut squares, a Quick Tip for Scrap Lovers! If you have a few leftover 3 1/2 or 4 inch charm squares from projects in the past, it is easy to use them for this project.
Final Thought
Quilters have a playground of table runners. They enable us to experiment with a fresh color palette, practice our accuracy in piecing and, who would have thought, actually complete a project in one Saturday. The Ride the Wave runner adds a lovely sense of movement to any space it's placed in. Remove your favorite warm prints, tidy the sewing table and start the beating rhythm of stitching simple elegant waves. Happy quilting!
Full Pattern: Ride the Wave Table Runner Free PDF Pattern 🎁
