Spring is in full bloom and it was time to make a new table runner.
I got my inspiration from Lori Holt and made my own tutorial inspired by her. I have made a tutorial on how to make the tulip block and what I did with the block afterwards to make the table runner with 4 tulip blocks. Note: We used a ¼” seam for everything.
Step 1: Pick one color for the tulip top and two colors of green for the tulip bottom with any white scraps. I used a white dot that I had lying around. This is a great tutorial if you have any scraps that you need to get rid of. If you are making the table runner you will need 4 colors for the top and to different greens for the bottom with your choice of color for sashing (I did red), backing and binding.
To make the 1 tulip cut the following:
1 – 4 ¾” x 5 ½” – colored top
2 – 2 ½” x 5 ½” – colored top
1 – 1″ x 5 ½” – green stem
2 – 4 ¼” x 5 ½” – green leaves
4 – 2″ x 2″ –white with white dot
6 – 2 5/8″ x 2 5/8″ white on white dot
To make the table runner cut the following:
4 – 4 ¾” x 5 ½” – colored top (4 different colors)
8 – 2 ½” x 5 ½” – colored top (the same 4 colors as above)
4 – 1″ x 5 ½” – green stem
8 – 4 ¼” x 5 ½” – green leaves
16 – 2″ x 2″ –white with white dot
24 – 2 5/8″ x 2 5/8″ – white on white dot
5 – 12 ¼” x 2 ½” – white for sashing
4 – 8 ½” x 2 ½” – white for sashing
I did not add anything for the colored sashing around the entire project.
To make your tulip top:
Take your 4 – 2″ x 2″ –white with white dot. With your sewing writing tool color a line from corner to corner. This is the line that you will sew on. Put 2 of the white squares on the top of the large square and two on the top of the smaller colors squares. They white squares will be a little bit smaller than the two smaller colored strips. Put them as close as you can to the middle as shown in the picture.
Sew along the colored line and cut 1/4″ from the line. See picture below.
Press and sew the two smaller blocks to the bigger block and press again.
Take two of your larger white blocks (2 5/8″ x 2 5/8″) and do the same thing you just did in the bottom right and left corners of your new block. Press and you are done with the flower top.
Top make your tulip bottom:
Take your 2 – 4 ¼” x 5 ½” green leaves and sew your 4 left over 6 – 2 5/8″ x 2 5/8″ white on white dot into the bottom left and right and top left and right as shown. This is the same technique as used above. Press, press.
Take your 1 – 1″ x 5 ½” – green stem and sew in-between your 2 – 4 ¼” x 5 ½” green leaves. Press, press
Sew your top block to your bottom, press and you are done.
To make the table runner:
Make 3 more tulips.
On your red and yellow tulip sew your 8 ½” x 2 ½” white strips along the bottom. Now sew your 12 ¼” x 2 ½” strips along the left hand side. Sorry the picture is so bad. I forgot to take a picture until after this was sewn.
On your orange tulip sew your 8 ½” x 2 ½” white strip along the top. Now sew your 12 ¼” x 2 ½” strip along the right hand side.
For your turquoise tulip sew your 8 ½” x 2 ½” white strip along the top. Now sew your 12 ¼” x 2 ½” strips along the left and right side.
Sew your blocks together and add sashing around the entire thing. I had a few left over scraps that were about 3″ x 3″ so I cut them in half and sewing them together, pressed and cut down to 2 ½”x 2 ½” squares to add as a decoration in the corners and middle of the sashing.
April 7, 2019 at 1:07 pm
I love the block but am struggling with the measurements. Something is wrong. I want to make it but need corrections to make it work.
April 9, 2018 at 4:46 pm
Were the measurements ever updated?
April 12, 2017 at 2:59 pm
I agree with Rosemarie above!!! These are the worst instructions ever. Errors everywhere. Not only are the measurments INCORRECT where to place the white strips are INCORRECT as it states to put on RIGHT side it would have to be left. Very confusing. I’m still trying to make it work!!
January 14, 2017 at 3:16 am
I found that the white squares 2″ and 2 5/8 is wrong.
they have to be 2 5/8 and 3″ I make 1 tulip block and then I made one with my measurements and mine came out like yours. I also bougjht Lori holts book and I found the pictures to be so tiny. Your version is much better.
could you check your measurments maybe you wrote them wrong.