Twisted Pole table runner pattern

twisted-pole-layoutI saw this online as a free pattern – disclaimer, I saw multiple versions so I’m not sure if there is an original owner to it.  It’s nothing more than half square triangles sewn together and then the pattern pops out because of the way you lay each square.

I haven’t made this yet but this could easily take a couple of hours or less depending on the method you use.  One of the fastest ways to knock this out is with matching or coordinating 10″ layer cakes because the cutting is already done for you.

A quick way is to take 12 red squares and 12 white or cream squares and match them right sides together.  Draw a line from one corner to another on the white one (because it’s easier to see) and then sew 1/4″ on either side of the drawn line.  You can draw that with whatever pen you want because the next step is to cut them apart so you’ll never see it.

Then, take another 6 red squares and 6 green squares and do the exact same thing that you did with the red and white combination.  You’re practically done at this point!

twisted-pole-sizeI showed the picture from EQ7 here so you can see the placement of each block a little easier.  It will be faster if you sew these together in columns.  I.e., sew all the red/white blocks to rotated red/white blocks and all the red/green blocks to rotated red/green blocks.  If you chain piece them it will go quickly.

But if you’re concerned with accuracy on hitting the points, then sew them in rows instead since you’ll be dealing with shorter 3-block units.  In other words, sew a red/white block to a red/green block and repeat until you’re through all of them and then go back and sew the remaining red/white block to the 2-block set.

In the example I showed here, I used 9″ blocks with a thin 2″ border all the way around.  That netted a table runner that is 31″ wide and 112″ long.  If your table isn’t that long – a standard kitchen table is 84″ for example – then you could make just 9 sets instead of 12 and that would get you to a finished 31″ x 81″ size.  Or if you wanted it wider, you can always sew a much wider border around or a second border.

twisted-pole-yardageFor example, if I went with 9″ blocks and made 9 and then had a 2″ as well as an outer 4″ border it would end up at 39″ wide by 93″ long.  And adding more borders and fewer blocks will really make it go fast!  This last picture may be a bit hard to read and it also may not help a lot if you make any variations, but based on 12 of the 9″ blocks with a finished 2″ border, it says I need 1 3/4 yard of the red and 1 1/5 (I’d round that up to 1 and a quarter) yards each of the white and of the green plus whatever you need for the backing and binding.

34 Comments Add yours

  1. Deborah R Meyer says:

    Thank you so much for this pattern. I really appreciate it.

  2. Debbie says:

    Thank you for posting this – I just printed the directions and am planning on making some of these. I have some beautiful Christmas material I bought 1/2 off. Will probably try the first one for myself for Easter. Thank you so much

  3. Sue Powditch says:

    Love this simple idea and plan to use it to make table runners for our Advent Fayre in November. Thank you for putting it on Pinterest.

  4. Carolyn Rose says:

    Would love a copy of the pattern for this.Want to make for a 60th Birthday gift

  5. Hello, just in time for me, have been looking for a quick and easy pattern suitable for a Christmas table runner, Yay I found it.

    1. Texas Quilting says:

      Awesome!

    2. Vicki says:

      Just the job. Planned on doing a couple for Xmas gifts. Thank you very much. Looks easy enough to do, I am a beginner so easy is good. X

  6. Pat says:

    I have made this runner, enjoyed every minute & it looks great, even though I say it myself.

  7. Pat Looker says:

    What size is the block?

    1. Texas Quilting says:

      It can actually be made in any size block – you’ll just need to adjust the amount of fabric needed.

  8. Marty says:

    Thanks for your simple and easy explanation. I want to try this soon.

  9. Cathy says:

    Great writeup easy to understand and follow. Most people that know how to quilt are terrible at gaining instruction. You did great, good job.

  10. Judy says:

    Thank you. I’ll give it a try

  11. Maggie Drafts says:

    This table runner can be used for any season, any colorway, etc!!!!
    Love it—–best one yet, for “everyday” use!!!! Thank you ever so much!!!!

  12. Mary Brown says:

    Was looking for a table runner that would work up fast for Christmas gifts, thanks so much for sharing

  13. Judy says:

    Thank you for the tips. I love it, great gift for friends, shouldn’t take to long with you tips!! Would you cut 3.5 ” strips? Each square would be 3.5″ once sewn, a 3″ square of the red, white and green? Thank you

  14. Shirley says:

    How much yardage of each colour would I need.

  15. This is great just finished making one of these thankyou

  16. Laurie taylor says:

    Going to do this very soon using Christmas print.

  17. Linda j Addison says:

    Looks beautiful. Going to makee one tomorrow.

  18. Linda says:

    Love it..Looks so easy to make. I really like hardware trianglea projects!

  19. Ana Arias Mora says:

    hola gracias x compartir ese lindo proyecto…m gustaria saber de q tamaño corto los cuadrados

  20. Susan says:

    Great idea and my daughter reminded it so I may make it. I have the green and white so I just need red fabric.

  21. thank you for sharing this. I’ve always wanted to make one of these..

    1. Oh great! Glad it can be put to good use!

  22. Pretty!! Thanks for explaining how to make it simpler than it looks!

    1. If you make one, let me know!

      1. That will be forever and a day from now! My quilt queue is WAY too long as it is!

        1. That’s a long time!

  23. Deb says:

    Simple but it will make a lovely runner!!

  24. I like this idea!

  25. I really like the way this looks. I am not an accomplished quilter, but your directions are very clear – I’m going to try this at the beginning of the new year!.

    1. Oh great! That makes my day to hear it! If I have time before Christmas I’m going to knock one out.

Leave a Reply to Texas QuiltingCancel reply