When AccuQuilt asked me to try out the new AccuQuilt GO! Halloween Medley dies, my mind was instantly flooded with ideas. It’s no secret that I love using my AccuQuilt Ready. Set, GO! fabric cutting system. Seriously, it is amazing! (You can find more of my thoughts and impressions of this system HERE.)
I’ve never been one to decorate much for Halloween, but our daughter LOVES Halloween. As such, I’ve been trying to step up my Halloween decorating game. This simple table runner using the Halloween Medley was just the ticket!
Keep on scrolling to see how I used the spiders from the AccuQuilt GO! Halloween Medley to create a frighteningly realistic furry spider table runner. It is fast, easy, and SO adorable.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a commission if you choose to click through and make a purchase.
Tools I used
–AccuQuilt GO! Halloween Medley
-Fabric for the spider shapes (I used linen/cotton blend scraps from my stash)
-Fusible interfacing (I just used remnants from my stash, but this fusible web is recommended by AccuQuilt and does a great job for applique projects.)
-Fabric for the table topper front (I used a linen/cotton blend) in the desired size (I just used a remnant from my stash that fit our table. It is approx. 18″x42″)
-Fabric for the back of your table runner several inches larger than the front. (You want it larger to account for any shifting during the quilting process. I also used a linen/cotton blend for this.)
-Fabric for the binding (I used a black linen/cotton blend from my stash.)
-Batting the same size as your backing fabric, several inches larger than the fabric you will use for the front. I used 100% cotton batting so that it will lie nice and flat on our table, but you can use your preferred batting.)
-Thread to match your spider color for machine applique
–Basting pins or basting spray
–Hera marker to mark quilting lines
–Pearl cotton for hand quilting (I used size 8 in black)
-Needle for hand quilting and for hand binding (these are my favorite)
Cutting The Spider Shapes
I used squares of my desired linen blend that were approximately 5″x5″ (so these shapes are charm pack friendly!) and adhered my fusible interfacing to the back with dry heat from my iron.
Place the fabric pieces over your desired shape with the interfacing down (my fabric is covering the spider shape in the photo below.) The AccuQuilt GO! system can cut up to six layers of fabric at once, but I would only do three at a time when paired with the interfacing. I was able to cut all three of my spiders in one pass with ease.
Place the AccuQuilt GO! cutting mat on top of your fabric and then roll it through the cutting system. Easy peasy!
ADHERING THE SPIDERS TO THE TABLE RUNNER
Look how perfectly these spiders came out! I placed each spider where I wanted them on the fabric that I used for the top of my table runner and pinned them into place with small safety pins.
After securing the spiders in place, I then took my top to my sewing machine and did raw edge applique around each spider using a very tight zig zag stitch. The linen blend I used frays quite a bit, which is perfect. The spiders came out looking fuzzy and extra spooky!
Time to hand quilt!
Once the spiders are secured to the top via your desired applique method, baste your top, batting, and backing layers together. I pin baste using these basting pins, but spray baste would also work.
If pin basting, it is helpful to mark guide lines for quilting before you secure the pins in place. I did an improv chevron type pattern 1″ apart in addition to lines attached to each spider.
Big stitch contrast hand quilting with size 8 pearl cotton was my chosen method for this project, but machine quilting would also work well.
After quilting is complete, square up your project, trimming the backing/batting to the same size as the top. Attach your binding using your desired method and you’re all set!
I just cannot get over how realistic these spiders look with the raw edge applique! It’s the perfect table runner for our dining room table.
I hope you found this informal tutorial helpful! The AccuQuilt GO! Halloween Medley will definitely be used again in our household. Perhaps some pot holders with the ghost and witch’s hat?
Until next time,
XOXO Rach
Leave a Reply