Holiday décor with the Modern Aztec Quilted Table Runner

Do you have a pattern you return to time and time again?

You know the one.

The one that gets you excited to see how it changes based on the fabrics you use.

The one that you can make with your eyes closed cause you’ve made it so many times!

The one that’s a sure quilty win – both for you to make and to gift.

For me, that’s the Modern Aztec Quilt pattern.

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I have made this pattern so many times and, incredibly, I’m still not bored of her – ha!

What I love about this modern quilt pattern is that she’s so versatile.

Here are just a few examples to show you exactly just how easy it is to bring your own quilty flare to her:

• Modern Aztec Quilt – Bequest
• Modern Aztec Table Runner – Holiday
• Modern Aztec Table Runner – Sonata
• Modern Aztec Table Runner – Fantasy

So, when I was in the mood to stitch up some holiday-themed quilt gifts, I naturally turned to my trusty Modern Aztec Table Runner pattern!

Since I don’t normally gravitate towards or stock Christmas-themed fabric, I was super thrilled to find that I still had some Little Town fabric scraps leftover from my Shattered Star holiday quilt. I absolutely adore this collection designed by Amy Sinibaldi for Art Gallery Fabrics. It is holiday-inspired without being overtly Christmasy.

I started this one during the last Modern Aztec quilt workshop of 2021 (see the Winter 2022 line-up here) and finished her up one Saturday afternoon.

That’s what I love about this pattern is just how quick she is to stitch up.  

Plus, she’s fat quarter friendly so you don’t need to run out and get more fabric. You already have what you need on hand – winning!

You could even piece the backing to make use of your trimmings and reduce the number of scraps heading back into your stash – yassss!

This is one of the reasons I don’t typically put a quilt label on my table runners – I want them to be reversible. And if you end up doing some fun piecework on the back then it really is two looks in one!

For a more understated look, I also love featuring a simple print on the back and letting the quilting motif take center stage – hint that’s what I did here 😊.

QUILTING

Machine quilting for the win!

You know my love for stitching in the ditch, but for this one, I opted to stitch about a 1/4” on either side of my seams.

Not only is this super quick to tackle and means you don’t need to plot any of your quilt lines (wahoo!), but it gives really nice quilty details to your finished project.

BINDING

As much as I love big stitch hand quilted binding details, more often than not, when it comes to quilted table runners, I typically gravitate towards a blind stitch to finish my binding off.

Why?

For some reason, I feel this gives it a sturdier finish. Not sure if this is even true!

What I’ve found with binding after lots of washing is that it’s not the stitch work that comes undone, it’s the actual fabric on the edge that starts to fray and get worn down.

I’ve tested this out on Pips food mats as I wash them every week and I’ve noticed the beating the edges take. I’ve also noticed how quickly the colours fade – womp womp.

While a blind stitch takes longer to finish than big stitch binding, I do love the seamless look it gives. See more on a blind stitch in the Quilt Binding Tutorial Series Part 2.

Here I’ve used a 40wt Aurifil Thread in this glorious pink colour. I use this colour on the regular and have it stocked in all the thread weights – ha! Yup, I love it!

I’ve also been loving using 40wt for my hand binding as it’s a little thicker than 50wt and has less chance of breaking. Plus, I don’t double up my thread, so I find this to be a good compromise.

MATERIALS FEATURED

In case you want to make a similar Modern Aztec Table Runner here’s everything I used to whip this Little Town version up:

• Modern Aztec Table Runner Pattern– the Small 10-Colour Version
• Little Town Fat Quarter Bundle
• Backing
• *HST Ruler
• Ruler
• *Rotary Cutter
• *Cutting Mat
• *Rotating Cutting Mat (I can’t live without this one, read why here)
• *Batting
• *50 wt Aurifil Thread in Colour 2000 for piecing
• *50wt Aurifil Thread in Colour 2425 for quilting
• 40wt Aurifil Thread in Colour 2425 for hand binding. Source different Aurifil Thread weights in this blog post.
• Iron
• Ironing board
• *Sewing machine
• *Pins
• *Clips
• *Marking tool
• *Sewing needles
• *Needle for hand binding

For more quilted table runner inspiration, check out:

• Jolly Jelly Table Runner
• Shattered Star Table Runner
• Peaks & Valleys Kaleidoscope
• Hexed Table Runner

Now all that’s left for you to do is to grab your Modern Aztec Table Runner pattern from the shop and settle in for a fun and festive stitching session.

Happy quilting!

xo,

Shannon

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