When I started this star table runner, my intention was to sew them all together. That was the case, right up until I was about to do it. I laid them out on the table to try to decide on a layout, but I started playing and realized they were MUCH more fun left loose!
Do you ever watching cooking competition shows? I usually have them on in the background while I make dinner. Without fail, if someone makes something that needs to pop out of it’s container after baking and it crumbles, the dish is presented to the judges as Deconstructed Whatever. Even though mine is intentional, I’m still calling it a Deconstructed Table Runner!
This post contains affiliate links. For my full disclosure policy, click here.
To make this you’ll need:
cotton fabric for the stars in your choice of colors and patterns
The pattern prints onto three sheets of paper.
Overlap and piece those together, matching up lines. The easiest way to do that is in front of a window or on a light table. Tape together and cut out the star.
For my 83†table, I made 8 stars, so I’d say make at least one for every 10â€. The more you have, the more fun they are to arrange though.
For each star cut:
1 front fabric
1 back fabric (flip star template right side down)
1 fusible batting (cut with star right side up and fusible side of batting up)
Apply the fusible batting to the wrong side of front star.
Lay the back fabric star right side down over the front star. Pin and stitch 1/4†from the edge, leaving 2 1/2†unsewn on one straight edge. Stitch a curve at the inner points of the star and pivot at the outer tips.
Clip curves and corners. Turn right side out through the opening. Push the points out using your favorite tool (I use these, sharpened in my pencil sharpener - attempt at your own risk 😉)
Press, turning in the opening 1/4â€.
Top stitch all the way around, close to the edge.
Add a little quilting to the center of the star if you’d like. I stitched the stick star shown on the template.
Repeat, until you’re happy with the number of stars. Next is the fun part…take them to your table and arrange them! I started with the basic layout I had in mind from the start. I love that they can be orderly or random, depending on your mood.
I didn’t stop there though. I tried clustering them together and I think this is a fun look. I don’t have to worry about them getting knocked off or scrambled, since there are no toddlers climbing around on the table…anymore (I’m looking at you, son).
Next I layered them. I think this is one of my favorites.
This gives the option to only use a few of the stars.
I love the flexibility of these. I could clip them to a line and hang them for a cute banner. I could use all one color, or incorporate one into each place setting.
I made these to celebrate Independence Day, but these would be great in different colors for the winter holidays. Not to mention, they’ll be so much easier to store since they can stack up!
If you want to get more creative, you can piece together scraps to cut the stars from. I tried that with a couple, and added a layer of insulated batting and a loop so I can use them as hot pads.
You’ll have to excuse me…I just thought of another way to lay out my stars!