I made a Buffalo Check table runner for our annual Valentine dinner this year! I love the classic look of all the Buffalo Check Quilts I see in the quilt world. I wanted to try out this design with out having to make a whole quilt so I thought I'd use it in a table runner. Of course I took notes in case I ever want to make this again or in case you want to make one too.

How to make a Buffalo Check Table Runner

Finished Dimensions

14" wide x 38" long

Supplies Needed

• 1/4 yard red (Dark tone fabric)
• 1/3 yard pink (Mid tone fabric) I used Ghost Nouveau from Anna Maria's Hindsight collection
• 1/4 yard white (Light tone fabric)
• approx. 16" x 40" cotton Batting
• 1/2 yard Backing fabric
• 1/4 yard binding fabric

Cutting

• Cut 40 squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" of the red fabric
• Cut 66 squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" of the pink fabric
• Cut 27 squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" of the white fabric
• Cut 1 rectangle approx. 16" x 40" for the Backing fabric
• Cut 3 strips 2 1/2 inches x the width of fabric for the binding
• Cut the batting a little larger than the finished table runner top

Sewing Instructions

1. Lay out all the squares in a buffalo check pattern in a 7 x 19 grid.

2. Sew the squares together in sets of 2 with a scant 1/4" seam allowance. Press the seams to one side, alternating the direction of the seams in each row.

I like to piece each set in a column with out cutting the threads in a chain. Then I keep the sets sewn together as I continue joining the sets of 2 together to become 4 and so on to create a large web. Read my Whole Quilt Chain Piecing Tutorial for a more detailed description.

3. Sew the sets of 2 together to make sets of 4.

Give the rows a final press. Make sure the seams are pressed in one direction in one row and the opposite direction in the adjacent row.

Sew two rows together matching the seams at each intersection. The alternating seam allowances will help the seams 'click' into place. Continue to sew all the rows together.

Quilting Instructions

Press the wrinkles out of the backing fabric and lay it right side down on a table. Position a piece of batting on top of the backing fabric. Lay the the pieced table runner top on top of the batting making a little Quilt sandwich. Smooth out all layers and pin them together using safety pins.

Alternatively you can carefully peel back each layer and spray a basting spray such as ODIF Temporary Basting Spray. This works really well and because the runner is so small pins are not necessary.

Quilt as desired. I chose to sew diagonally across all the mid tone squares. But this is completely up to you. I suggest attaching a walking foot or a free motion foot on your sewing machine for this step.

Trim the excess batting and batting fabric using a rotary cutter, ruler, and mat.

Piece together the strips of binding fabric. Cut the ends at a 45 degree angle an sew them together.

Fold the binding strip in half lengthwise and press with an iron.

With the table runner back facing up, starting in the middle of one side, match the raw edge of the binding to the raw edge of the quilted table runner. Sew with a generous 1/4" seam allowance. leave about 4-5 inches of the binding unsewn at the beginning.

Stop sewing about about 1/4" away from the corner. For a perfect mitered corner, fold the binding strip up to make a 45 degree angle fold. Then fold the strip back down again to line up the raw edges with the next side.

Starting at the top sew down the next side. Stop and repeat at every corner.

Continue to sew on the binding until you get to about 4 inches away from where you started. Lay out the binding strips until they meet. Fold the binding back and finger press a crease on each strip where the they meet. Open up the binding strips and sew them together. Refold the joined strip, line up the raw edges and stitch the rest of the binding down. I did not get a good picture of this process but will try to update and add pictures soon.

Wrap the biding around to the front side of the buffalo check table runner and stitch the binding down along the fold line. I added a little heart label from Sarah Hearts Shop.

And you are done! I hope this little tutorial is helpful. Let me know if you make one, I'd love to see it!

Happy Sewing!