Supplies7 2 yards each of coordinating batiks (A & B)7 1⁄3 yard each of 5 coordinating batiks7 All-purpose cotton thread7 Double-sided fusible web7 Removable fabric marker7 Tube turner (optional; see “Sources”)7 Seam sealant (optional)

CutFrom fabrics A and B, cut two 12” x 18” rec-tangles each for the sides and one 18”x 20” rectangle each for the center.From each of the coordinating batiks, cut one strip measuring 1½” x the fabric width, one strip measuring 2½” x the fabric width and one strip measuring 4” x the fabric width.

ConstructUse ½” seam allowances unless otherwise noted.Fold one coordinating batik strip in half lengthwise with right sides together; pin, and then stitch the long edge using a ⅛” seam allowance. Using a tube turner (or referring to “Tube Turning” at right), turn the tube to the right side. Repeat to stitch the remaining coordinating batik strips. Center each seam; press. Cut each tube into 11”-long strips.Position one fabric A small rectangle right side up on a flat work surface. Designate one short edge as the upper edge. Position one strip end seam side up along one rectangle long edge and ½” from the rectangle upper edge; pin. Continue to pin strips to the rect-

angle, alternating sizes and colors as desired, and leaving at least ¼”to ½” of space between each strip. Baste the pinned strip ends to the rectangle, leaving the opposite ends free. Repeat to baste strips to the remaining fabric A small rectangle.With right sides together, align one fabric B small rectangle with one fabric A small rectangle, sandwiching the strips; pin. Stitch the perimeter, catching the basted strip ends in the stitching. Leave a 4” opening along the lower edge for turning (1). Clip the corners and turn the side panel right side out through the opening; press the strips away from the panel. Fold the open-ing raw edges ½” toward the wrong side; press. Topstitch the perimeter, closing the opening with the stitches. Repeat to stitch the remaining side panel.

42 sew NEWS A U G U S T / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 1

Decorate your table with a batik table runnerfeaturing delicate 3-D leaves and reverse-appliqué details.

BeautyBeauty && BatikBatik{ by Shannon Dennis }

1⁄2”

4”1⁄2”

1

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S E W N E W S . C O M 43

TUBE TURNINGLearn creative ways to turn narrow tubes without using a store-bought tube turner.

SAFETY PINAttach a safety pin to one tube end. Push the pin through the tube, rolling the fabric over itself; press. A safety pin works best with tightly woven fabrics, such as cotton, wool and silk.

SERGER STITCHSerge a chain of stitches a few inches longer than the tube. While the thread chain is attached to the serger, move it to the front of the serger and place it inside the fabric. Fold the tube in half and serge the long edge. Turn the tube right side out by gently pulling the serged chain. This tech-nique works well with knits and very narrow tubes, such as spaghetti straps.

CHOPSTICKTurn the tube end ½” toward the right side. Using a chopstick, gently push the unturned tube through the opening.

HEMOSTATThis medical tool works well for turning very narrow tubes. Pinch one tube end, and then guide the hemostat through the tube, pushing the fabric over itself.

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Position the fabric A large rectangle on a flat work surface with the right side facing up, designating one long edge as the upper edge. Position one side panel over the rectangle with the fabric B side facing up and the free strip ends matching the large rectangle left edge. With right sides together, align the fabric B large rectangle with the fabric A large rectangle, sandwich-ing the strips. Pin the rectangles along the left edge, and then stitch through all layers (2). Fold the large fabric B rectangle away from the strips so the right side is facing up (3). With the fabric A side facing up, align the remaining side-panel strip ends with the fabric B rectangle free short edge; pin, and then baste (4).Fold the center panels so the fabric B sides are facing, sandwiching the side panels. Stitch the basted edge and lower edge; remove the basting stitches (5). Turn the table runner right side out through the panel opening; press. Fold the opening raw edges ½” toward the wrong side; press. Topstitch the center-panel perimeter, closing the opening with the stitches.

Reverse Appliqué Leaf Download the leaf templates at sewnews.com/web_extras.Using a removable fabric marker, position one leaf template on the table runner right side; trace. (On the featured table runner, fabric B is the right side.) Pin the fabric A and fabric B layers around the leaf outline.

44 sew NEWS A U G U S T / S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 1

Fabric BSide Panel

Fabric BLarge Rectangle

Fabric BLarge

Rectangle

Fabric BSide Panel

Fabric ASide Panel

Fabric BSide Panel

2

5

3

4

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S E W N E W S . C O M 45

Select a 2.5mm straight stitch on the machine. Stitch over the outline.Using a pair of appliqué scissors, carefully trim away the upper fabric layer close to the stitches, being careful not to cut through the lower fabric. Apply a thin layer of seam sealant to the raw edges, if desired.

3-D LeafDownload the leaf templates at sewnews.com/web_extras.Using batik fabric scraps, cut several 5” squares and 7” squares for the small and large leaf embellishments, respec-tively. Each leaf requires two squares. Fuse two squares wrong sides to-gether using fusible web, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Posi-tion one small leaf template over one small square; trace the template, and then cut out. Repeat to create as many leaves as desired. The featured table runner showcases four small leaves and five large leaves.Stitch down each leaf center to secure it to the table runner where desired. Z

SOURCES

Fasturn, LLC. provided the tube turner: (800) 729-0280, fasturn.net.

Hoffman Fabrics provided batik fabric: (800) 547-0100, hoffmanfabrics.com.

Choose a batik with an attractive wrong side, as it will be exposed with the raw-edge applique.

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