A Quilting Life

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Charm Pack Table Topper!

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Hello…how about a fast and fun table topper from a single charm pack?!

I’ve recently made this again in fun Christmas fabrics by Lori Holt…enjoy the original tutorial below!

Today I’d like to share a quick and easy table topper I made from a Moda charm pack, 2 yards of 1/2″ (or 5/8″) ric rac, and 7/8 yard of fabric for backing and binding. I used a Hartfield charm pack and some Moda Simplicity for my backing/binding. Before beginning:

  • Choose eight charm squares that will make up your eight four-patch blocks
  • Choose one charm square and cut into (4)v2 1/2″ squares for the corners of your border 
  • Choose an additional 8 charm squares that you will cut into (16) 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ rectangles for the border 
  • Choose 8 charm squares and trim them all to 4 1/2″ square for the alternating blocks 
  • Cut 4 – 18″ lengths of ric rac (if trim is desired)…Now you’re ready to begin!

My “inspiration” for this project was this fun sheet I found here on the Moda website. (They also have a file like this with ideas for how to use a layer cake).

Pair up the 8 charm squares for the four-patch blocks into four groups of two. Place them right sides together and sew a scant 1/4″ seam on two opposite sides. Then you will cut these sewn squares in half.


When you press them open you will have eight pieces that look like this (only 6 are pictured).


Next, nest each matching pair of sewn fabrics right sides together so that the seams meet, and again sew on the two opposite sides.


Again you will cut your pieces in half. I love to use two rulers to make sure my cut is even…with the pinked edges of a charm square this helps to ensure an even cut!


When you press these pieces open you will have your eight 4-patch blocks!


Next, sew your 4-patch blocks together with your eight 4 1/2″ trimmed squares to create four rows of four blocks…alternating 4-patch blocks with the squares.


I pressed everything towards the squares so that the four-patch blocks would be flat.

At this time you should also sew the (16) 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ rectangles together on the 2 1/2″ edges. Make four strips with four rectangles in each strip.


Now the fun really begins! Attach the ric rac to all four edges of your 16-block center. I lined up my ric rac with the edge of my quilt and basted using a 1/8″ seam. (You can skip this step if you’re not adding any trim).


After all four edges have the ric rac attached, you can attach a rectangle strip to the left and right sides of your quilt. I used a pin at each seam intersection.

When you press the sides open your quilt will look like this:


Next you’ll want to attach the four 2 1/2″ squares to each end of the remaining two rectangle strips.


Sew these to the top and bottom of your quilt…and press the ric rac flat towards the center of your quilt.


Now you are ready to layer with batting and backing…quilt…and bind! I machine stippled my quilt and used 2 1/4″ strips for my binding.

Your table topper will measure approximately 20 1/2″ x 20 1/2″ when you are finished!



Hope you get to sew today!

Thanks so much for stopping by…Sherri

Sherri

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Comments

  2. Rachel and Christian says

    Cute! I love how it came together…I must admit I was skeptical of the color choices but it looks fabulous. And I never knew you could do that with ric-rac. I might have to go get me some of that!
    Rachel

  6. Anna says

    I was just looking for inspiration to use up one of my charm packs – and this is perfect! Thanks!

    – Anna at sy.lugnagatan.net

  8. Molly says

    Oooh, this is so nice. I have been looking for a pattern for my DQS6 and I think I found it! Thanks for sharing this–it’s adorable.

  17. Nanette Merrill and daughters says

    Super cute. I love the rick rack around the border. I made a table topper lately(just a stitch here and there, trust me It should have only taken me one day) for my tea swap partner and I wish I had seen your idea before I made mine. I like the fabrics, too.

  19. Vicki says

    fI am SO making this one for Lexie’s table. I want to do a square one for her. I love the purples in the fabric. Also, thanks for the “quilting for dummies” measurement sheet!

  24. ivoryspring says

    Simply lovely, Sherri! Your lightning speed in completing projects always impresses me!

    Maybe we can be “quilt buddies” in working on the Jane Austen quilt…

  25. Kaaren says

    Excellent tutorial on how to make this darling table topper. Thanks for sharing it with us Sherri. I love the colors as well.

  27. Terriaw says

    I love the block ideas at the bottom of that cheat-sheet! Great way to use the charm packs – your table topper looks great!

  32. Linda says

    It’s beautiful! I love table toppers, and the ric rac just adds so much. Thanks for sharing.

    Blessings from Kindlelight Blessings,

    Linda

  38. Cheryl says

    LOVE IT!!!! I was in need of a quick and easy project. Thanks so much…not off to dig through the pile of collected charms!

  44. kcenya1950 says

    I just found you. I saw your older post about Village dry Goods in Brigham City. I love that little shop and always stop there when heading to SLC. How lucky you are to have seen their things and attend the retreat. Thanks for the tute, your topper is cute and springy

  48. Darlene says

    This is absolutely adorable. Love the ric rac! Two years ago I made quite a few toppers with charm squares using a similar technique – so much fun to make!

  49. Quilt Hollow says

    I think this may be the first time I’ve seen your blog! I’ve been missing out on some beautiful things! I’ve marked it to return to. I love, love, love the ric rac on the charm quilt. It really is eye catching! I’ve got some old looking red….you’ve given me ideas! Thank you so much!

  51. Sheri Howard says

    Nice tutorial, thanks! I love ric-rac probably because I am from the generation that used it on everything YEARS ago! No, my Patesserie project is not from a pattern….yet…I hate that I can’t show the whole thing, but if I show what I am sewing, it is probably a book or pattern. Soon!
    Thanks for your support.

  52. Mel says

    I love it!! I don’t know why I didn’t catch it before now when I’ve been visiting your blog!

    I’d love to put a link to it on my blog, is that ok?

  58. Izzy says

    I found your tutorial a couple of weeks ago and loved it so much that I decided to make two of them with some leftover charm squares I had. If you'd like, I have photos of them posted on my blog. Thanks for the inspiration!

  63. Starla says

    A friend of mine has gifted me charm squares a number of times, and I never knew what to do with them. Found this today, and am going to use one pack to make this for my daughter for Christmas. Thank you.

  64. Brenda Parker says

    Hi Sherri. I love your website. This table topper is so cute. I have several charm packs and now I know what I am going to do with them. By the way do you have a link to the moda measurements sheet on what I can do with 10 inch squares? I have tried to search for it but not had any luck. Thanks.

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