Hands All Around Runner

Here's another blast from the past: Hands All Around Runner. This pattern would make the perfect scrap project. Coordinate your scraps and plan several future projects. Create a storage box for 12 1/2-inch unfinished blocks. Use these blocks or add your own "orphan" blocks in this setting. What a great way to use those blocks and create a wonderful gift! Another idea would be to make keepsake pieces from the blocks or fabrics you may have inherited from Grandma.

If you like to fussy cut fabrics with a small motif, try centering a flower in the squares and triangles of the pieced blocks in this pretty table runner.

Design by Ruth Swasey

Project Specifications

Runner Size: 48" x 20"

Block Size: 12" x 12"

Number of Blocks: 3

Materials

1/4 yard purple print
1/2 yard green print
5/8 yard yellow print
3/4 yard red mottled stripe
1 yard white print
Backing 52" x 24"
Batting 52" x 24"
4 1/4 yards self-made or purchased binding
All-purpose thread to match fabrics
Yellow machine-quilting thread
Basic sewing tools and supplies
Cutting Diagram 1
Cutting Diagram 2

Instructions

Step 1. Prepare templates using pattern pieces given; cut as directed on each piece for one Eight-Pointed Star block, two Hands All Around blocks and 64 K triangles for borders.

Step 2. To piece one Eight-Pointed Star block, join two J pieces as shown in Figure 1; repeat for four J units. Join J units to complete star design.

Step 3. Sew a yellow print H to a green print H; repeat for four H units. Set L into side star points and an H unit into each corner to complete the Eight-Pointed Star block.

Step 4. To piece one Hands All Around block, sew C to CR; repeat. Join the two C units and set in B and A; add D to complete one corner unit as shown in Figure 2; repeat for four corner units.

Step 5. Sew G to GR; set in F and add E to complete one side unit as shown in Figure 3. Repeat for four side units. Join the side units and set in the corner units to complete one Hands All Around block; repeat for two blocks.

Step 6. Cut two strips 2 1/2" x 12 1/2" white print. Sew a strip to two opposite sides of the Eight-Pointed Star block; add a Hands All Around block to the strip sides of the block to complete the pieced center as shown in Figure 4; press seams toward strips.

Step 7. Cut two strips 2 1/2" x 40 1/2" white print; sew to opposite sides of the pieced center. Press seams toward strips.

Step 8. Cut two strips 2 1/2" x 16 1/2" white print; sew a strip to the two opposite short ends of the pieced center. Press seams toward strips.

Step 9. Join 11 red K triangles with white, yellow and green K triangles as shown in Figure 5; repeat for two strips, again referring to Figure 5. Sew a strip to opposite long sides of the pieced center; press seams away from K triangles.

Step 10. Join four red K triangles with white, yellow and green K triangles as shown in Figure 6; repeat for two strips, again referring to Figure 6. Sew a strip to opposite short ends of the pieced center; press seams away from K triangles.

Step 11. Prepare completed top for quilting and finish referring to the General Instructions. Note: The quilt shown was machine-quilted in the ditch of seams on pieced blocks and 3/8" from seams in the white print border strips using yellow machine-quilting thread.