CarolynMT

Ok, Sorry for the delay. Here are the instructions. Once my email is done acting up I will be shipping out the *.pdf versions to everyone.

FrenchBraid Table Runner


FabricRequirements:
Braids:Each fabric for the braids will require approximately:
4= 2 inch by 8.5 inch strips (for one run) OR
8 = 2 inch by 8.5inch strips
Accent:You will need 24 = 2 inch by 2 inch squares
CenterBlock: Center square needs to be 8.5 inches by 8.5 inches.
Backing:the backing will require a piece that is at least 12.5 inches wide byabout 48 inches long.
*youcan always piece this*
Binding:you will need a strip of binding (either 2.25 or 2.5 in widedepending on your desire) by 100 inches.


Cutting:
Braid Fabrics: 8.5 inches x 2 inches (4 of each braid)
Accent Squares: 2 inches x 2 inches ( 2 for each braid)


Center Square: 8.5 inches x 8.5 inches


CenterSquare:
The center square should be finished at 8.5 inches by 8.5 inches. Youmay do the center in different ways. You can embroider one, fussy cutone, or piece one.
In the end the center should measure 8.5 x 8.5 inches. Stretch yourboundaries do something different!


FabricSelection:
Thekey to a glowing braid is in the selection of fabrics used to createthe braid. You have 2 different types of fabrics, the braid fabricsand the accent fabric. I will start with the discussion on how toselect braid fabrics. These fabrics focus mainly on tone and value.You first need to decide what color you want the finished product tobe, such as blue/green/yellow/etc. You may also decide to go through2 or even 3 colors. I have done several of each, so I will stronglysuggest for your first, settle on one color. It is infinitely easierto find one color than shifting through values of differentcolors.

Onceyou select the color family you want, then you need to find fabricsthat go through the different values of that color in a specifictone. It is important to note, your fabrics for the braids need to beof the same tonal family but different values in that tone. Setthem up on a table you pass often, in the order you want to do them.Then leave them there for several days, look at the braids indifferent lights and times of day. Feel free to shift things aroundas you need to do. For my larger versions of the braids I generallyleave them out for a week or two before finalizing the color order.Take the time you need, trust me it will come out wonderful.


Instructions:

1. Start by cutting and preparing the center square. Depending on what you want to do for the center square will determine the time/effort needed for preparing this square. I wont get into too much detail since it is a personal choice and everyone is different. I opted for a very complicated paper piecing center square. This is a great time to try those!
2. Now the most helpful tip of the whole construction, when you finish cutting your braids, PLEASE take a few minutes to put them in the order you are going to sew them. Set up 4 different stacks, each stack is one side of one half of the braid. It really helps with the piecing if it is all in order to begin with.
3. Take the center accent squares and sew them onto the short side of the braids. You will be sewing them onto 2 of the stacks from #2. Use a ¼ inch seam. PRESS THE SEAMS TOWARD THE LONG SIDE! This is very important later when braiding so that your seams nest properly. (These will now be called the accented strip, where the other 2 stacks are your unaccented strips)
4. Start the braiding with the center square, place one unaccented strip along the edge of the center square. Stitch down with a ¼ inch seam.
5. Finger press the seam toward the unaccented strip (away from center) in the corner you are using for the “point” of the braid.
6. Lay the accented strip down along the center square and unaccented strip so that the seams “lock” where the accent block is and the finger pressed seam of #5. Stitch down with ¼ inch seam
7. Press the braid away from the center. Be careful NOT to stretch the fabrics.
8. Now lay an unaccented strip on the side where you laided the last one. I usually put unaccented strips on the left and accented on the right. Just works for me.
9. Repeat steps 4 -7.
10. Continue until you get to the end of that side (the one stack).
11. Turn so that the other point of the center square is at the top and the braids are at the bottom.
12. Repeat steps 4 –10
13. Now your braid will have 'tail' like things along the side, that is ok, we will be trimming those off. They are NOT supposed to match up on that side. They do need to match up on the points of the accent squares.
14. Now lay the runner down on your cutting board. Lay a ruler along the side. Line it up so that most of the shorter side of ALL the tails are lined up. Trim off the excess. See image, it will make more sense.
15. Repeat on all 4 sides, keeping each side as straight as possible.
16. Lay down some backing and batting. Lay the runner down on top of the batting/backing. You can now trim to either the same size or just an inch or so larger. Depends on what you decide to do for the quilting, more dense quilting will require more batting/backing.
17. Quilt the sandwich as desired. I have usually just done a Stitch in the Ditch along the center square and then every 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] or 4[SUP]th[/SUP] strip on each side. You can use decorative stitches along all seams, you can do a nice meander FMQ. It is really up to you and what you like/feel comfortable with doing. I dont have pictures yet of this part since it is still hanging on my design wall.
18. Bind as usual. I use the accent fabric for the binding, but I am very matchy-matchy type person. Go for gold! Do what ever makes you happy!
19. And that is your table runner! Congrats! French braids are really very easy. The hardest part is getting the color selections and placements. So take your time there.

AdditionalNotes:
1. You can useinsul-brite as your batting and it will make the runner do dual dutyas a hot plate. Only thing you need to ensure is that you use 100%cotton on everything, including the stitching. Meaning you probablyshould not use an embroidered center.
2. This is a great place to use different decorative stitches on yourmachines. Pick one and just go for it!