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Spring Bunny Table Runner Tutorial

To celebrate Spring and Easter, I have a Spring Bunny Table Runner Tutorial to share with you today! This project is the perfect combination of quilting and home décor. A mix of spring green fabrics and the cutest black and white gingham give this table runner a little country charm with modern style. I love how it turned out!

This Spring Bunny Table Runner tutorial is a quick and easy project from Julie @ The Crafty Quilter.  Simple applique and two pieced blocks make this a cute table runner for Spring and Easter!

The size of this table runner is approximately 13″ x 38″. If you’re looking for a quick project to make, this is it! There are only three blocks set on point that measure 9″ finished. The setting triangles are pieced so that it incorporates the look of an extra border without adding any width to the table runner.

This Spring Bunny Table Runner is a free tutorial from Julie @ The Crafty Quilter.  Simple applique and two pieced blocks make this a cute and fast project for Spring and Easter!
This Spring Bunny Table Runner is a free tutorial from Julie @ The Crafty Quilter.  Simple applique and two pieced blocks make this a cute and fast project for Spring and Easter!

Notes on applique before we begin

I think the applique adds to the charm of this table runner. It’s very simple and can be done by hand or machine. If you’re not a fan of applique, you could embroider an outline of the bunny and petals instead. I have plans to create a real pattern that includes an alternate pieced block so you’ll be able to eliminate most of the applique.

For this project, I used the freezer paper and starch method and hand-appliqued the bunny to the background fabric. I didn’t really give this much thought, it was just the first method I turned to. I don’t have a tutorial for this technique, but you can check out this Roundup of Turned Edge Applique Techniques that I posted several years ago.

For the petal applique in the pieced block, I used the same turned edge technique, but I machine stitched the applique down (I was running out of time – as usual). For a detailed tutorial on machine applique, you can check out my Spring Petals Applique Tutorial. It uses the same petal shape and gives several options for machine techniques. There are many methods of applique and I hope you explore a few!

Love this Spring Bunny Table Runner tutorial from Julie @ The Crafty Quilter.  Simple applique and two pieced blocks make this a cute and fast project for Spring and Easter!

Spring Bunny Table Runner Tutorial

SPRING 2023 UPDATE – a printable PDF is now available to download! Just click on the button below.

General Information

Table Runner size: 13″ x 38″; block size: 9 1/2″ (unfinished). All seam allowances are scant 1/4″. Applique can be done by hand or machine. There are templates for the bunny and petals that you can download and print (below the supply list). Note that this is a free tutorial. It has not been tested for accuracy, so please keep that in mind. I’ve done my best to assure that everything is correct.

The gingham fabric I used for this table runner is Kitchen Window Wovens by Elizabeth Hartman for Robert Kaufman Fabrics. The color is Espresso. All other fabric came from my scrap stash. It would be easy to find similar colors, or you could choose a color combination that suits you best!

Supplies

  • Cream fabric (Color A) – 5/8 yard (block and applique background, setting triangles)
  • Black/white gingham (Color B) – 1/2 yard (blocks, bias binding and bunny applique)
  • Tan 1 (Color C) – 1/8 yard (block 4-patch)
  • Tan 2 (Color D) – 1/8 yard (block 4-patch)
  • Green1 (Color E) – 1/4 yard (border/setting triangles)
  • Green2 (Color F) – 1/8 yard (petal applique)
  • Binding (if not using gingham) – 1/4 yard for straight grain binding
  • Backing – 1/2 yard
  • Paper-backed fusible web such as Heat ‘n Bond Lite (for machine applique only)
  • Applique templates below, printed at actual size

Cutting Instructions

Cream (Color A): Cut (1) 3 1/4” x WOF strip; subcut into (8) 3 1/4” squares, cut in half diagonally
Cream (Color A): Cut (1) 9 3/4” x WOF strip; subcut into the following: (1) 9 3/4” square (applique); (2) 8” squares cut in half diagonally (side triangles); (1) 6 1/2” square cut diagonally in both directions (corner triangles).
Black/white gingham (Color B): Cut (1) 9” square (applique) and (8) 2 3/4” squares (block corners); use remaining fabric for bias binding (optional)
Tan 1 (Color C): Cut (4) 3 3/4″ squares (block 4-patch)
Tan 2 (Color D): Cut (4) 3 3/4″ squares (block 4-patch)
Green 1 (Color E): Cut (3) 2” x WOF strips; subcut into (4) 2” x 15” rectangles, (4) 2” x 6 1/2” rectangles and (4) 2” x 9” rectangles (pieced setting triangles)
Green 2 (Color F): Make 8 petals using the applique template and your favorite applique technique. See “Notes on applique” section for more information.

Block Instructions

1 Make a 4-patch unit from (2) 3 3/4″ Color C squares and (2) 3 3/4″ Color D squares. TRIM to 6 7/8″ square.

2. Sew (2) 3 1/4″ Color A triangles onto adjacent sides of a 2 3/4″ Color B square. Press towards the triangles.

3. Check the right angle (both short sides) of the pieced triangle from above and trim if necessary.

3. Trim the long side of the pieced triangle, making sure there is a 1/4″ seam allowance at the center point. It should measure 5 3/8″ along both short sides. Make 4 pieced triangle units for each block.

4. Arrange the 4-patch and pieced triangles as shown below. Sew each corner triangle to the 4-patch, matching centers. Press seams open to reduce bulk. The block should measure 9 1/2″ square (at this point it is NOT over-sized so no trimming required.) Make TWO blocks.

5. With Green 2 (Color F), make the petal appliques using the template pdf (just below the supply list) and your favorite applique method. See the “Notes on applique” section for more information. You’ll notice that some of the computer diagrams that follow show two different green fabrics for the petals. That was my original intention, but I chose just one instead.

For my sample, I used the freezer paper and starch method to create a turned edge. Then I glue basted the petals in place and machine stitched with a narrow zig zag and matching thread. It gives the look of hand applique. You can scroll through the slideshow below to see some of the steps.

Bunny Applique

For the bunny applique, you’ll be using the 9 3/4″ square of Color A (background) and the 9″ square of Color B (gingham) and the bunny template pdf. Use your favorite method to applique the bunny onto the background square. The template has been reversed for fusible applique. See the “Notes on applique” section for more information. Trim to 9 1/2″ square after applique is complete.

Below is a slideshow of some of the steps for my bunny applique using the freezer paper and starch method with hand applique.

Setting Triangles

Sew a 2″ x 15″ Color E rectangle to the long edge of a 8″ Color A triangle. Press towards the green rectangle. Trim excess green fabric even along the short sides. Make 4 side triangles.

Sew a 2″ x 6 1/2″ Color E rectangle to one short side of a 6 1/4″ Color A triangle. Press towards the green rectangle.

Sew a 2″ x 9″ Color E rectangle to the remaining short side of the 6 1/4″ Color A triangle from above. Press towards the green rectangle. Trim excess green fabric even along the long side. Make 4 corner triangles.

Table runner layout & assembly

Lay out the blocks, side triangles and corner triangles as shown below. Sew the pieces in each section together to form rows and press following the pressing arrows. The corner triangles will be sewn on last.

Sew the rows together and press seams to either side (or open). Sew the corner triangles on and press toward the corners.

Love this Spring Bunny Table Runner tutorial from Julie @ The Crafty Quilter.  Simple applique and two pieced blocks make this a cute and fast project for Spring and Easter!

Trim the edges evenly all the way around. I left a generous 1/4″ seam allowance at the block points to accommodate the binding.

Finishing

Layer the backing, batting and top. Baste layers together. Quilt using a walking foot or free motion quilting or both. I chose to do both. First, I stitched in the ditch with my walking foot around the blocks as well as some of the interior block seams. I also stitched in the ditch around the green “border”.

After all of the straight line quilting was done, I moved onto free motion quilting. I stitched about 1/4″ inside the bunny and then stitched his outline. Then I filled in the background with swirls. I quilted some large feathers (they look like fans to me) in the side triangles.

Quilting detail for Spring Bunny Table Runner Tutorial @ The Crafty Quilter

For the blocks, I made a large swirl in the petal appliques and surrounded the petals with pebbles. I did the feather/fan shape in the small triangles.

Quilting detail for Spring Bunny Table Runner Tutorial @ The Crafty Quilter

I used a stencil for the green border and echoed it so that it filled the space a little better. On small projects like this, I like to try out different things. Sometimes I’m happy with my choices and sometimes I’m not, but I always learn something along the way! It took me about 10 hours to finish the quilting (I wasn’t actually counting so that’s a really rough estimate).

Love this Spring Bunny Table Runner tutorial from Julie @ The Crafty Quilter.  Simple applique and two pieced blocks make this a cute and fast project for Spring and Easter!
Love this Spring Bunny Table Runner tutorial from Julie @ The Crafty Quilter.  Simple applique and two pieced blocks make this a cute and fast project for Spring and Easter!

For the binding, I used the gingham fabric and cut it on the bias. It’s just so cute that way! I rarely do bias binding, but it was worth it for this one. I found this adorable bunny (below) at my local Hallmark store. Honestly, it was such a coincidence because I had already started on this project before seeing it! I had to take him home with me.

Quilting detail for Spring Bunny Table Runner Tutorial @ The Crafty Quilter.

Now that I’ve made my Spring Bunny Table Runner, I have some decorating to do. But I’m off to a good start!

This Spring Bunny Table Runner is a free tutorial from Julie @ The Crafty Quilter.  Simple applique and two pieced blocks make this a cute and fast project for Spring and Easter!
Love this Spring Bunny Table Runner tutorial from Julie @ The Crafty Quilter.  Simple applique and two pieced blocks make this a cute and fast project for Spring and Easter!

Thanks for stopping by today; maybe I should say “hopping” by today! I hope you enjoyed this Spring Bunny Table Runner tutorial and hopefully make one for yourself. Happy Spring!

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24 Comments

  1. Oh Julie, I think we are kindred spirits! I just finished cleaning my sewing room. I couldn’t move in it nor find a thing! I have so many projects going simultaneously and am bad at picking up after myself! When I have 8 fill in the blank and can’t find one it’s time!! 🙂 Have a lovely Spring!

  2. Thank you so very much for sharing this darling table runner. I love the black and white gingham and have used it in a few bags and also in a backpack. Love the bunnies.
    Jean Kuxmann

  3. That table runner is absolutely darling, and it’s so generous of you to share the pattern. Thank you so much.

  4. You make the cutest things! Your photography turns them into eye candy for us even if we don’t make the project. Thank you so much.

  5. Your table runner is just adorable and I think I’m going to have to make one of these! The bunny from Hallmark was just meant to be! Thank you so much for sharing this pattern.

  6. Cute! Cute!! As tempting as this table runner is, I must pass this year. I am working on three graduation quilts at the moment for three very special G’Kids. I am finishing up the hand stitched binding on the first one, two to go. May and June are just around the corner. Yikes!!

  7. Hey, Julie,
    Do y’all have Cracker Barrel restaurants out there? They are showing all kinds of Easter decor and table settings in these colors and gingham checks right now. I don’t know if one can order on line from them, but CUTE to go with your table runner!! Thanks from Tennessee!

  8. I love the Spring Bunny Table Runner!!! Thank you so much. I need to get started on this right away!

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