Strip Quilting For Runner And Napkins This craft is ofAVERAGE difficulty. For those with some experience in sewing. MATERIALS: Quantities are not specified because both runners and place mats of any desired size can be made using these instructions. Coloring can be non-seasonal as well as in the red-green mixture shown. Select at least 6 different but compatible prints in all-cotton percale-type fabric. Allow sufficient extra fabric in one of the prints to make the backing and bias for edging (or for napkins). For batting, use either a lightweight quilt batting or 1 or 2 layers of polyester fleece. (see Shopping Guide for material suggestions). ruler scissors pins thread to match fabric DIRECTIONS: 1. Wash and press all fabrics to be used. Cut the backing piece slightly longer and wider than the dimentions chosen for the finished item. Cut the batting the same size as the backing piece. 2. Baste the batting to the wrong side of the backing piece with contrasting thread. Place the basted piece, batting side up, on a flat surface. 3. Cut 2"-wide strips of fabrics for quilting. Arrange the pattern in a pleasing repeat. Place one strip, of the same fabric as the backing, centered crosswise on the batting. This strip is right side up. Place the next strip, wrong side up, on top of the first strip. Using thread to match the backing fabric, sew along one long edge of the doubled strips with a 1/4" seam. Open the strips and flatten strip 2 against the batting. Pin in place. Repeat on the opposite long edge of strip 1, using another strip. Reverse the sewing direction to keep the runner straight. 4. Repeat with additional strips, working to right and left of the center strip. If possible, end with the same color strip as the backing. 5. Cut the long edges of the finished piece even and, if desired, cut the short ends as a curve or to a point. Baste all edges. 6. Make 1 1/2"-wide bias strips. Sew bias to the striped side of the runner for the first seam. Turn to the back and sew by hand to finish binding. Remove any basting thread visible. If desired, a ruffle may be used to finish the piece instead of a bias.