Picnic Party!

This Octagonal Table Topper is part of the “See It, Sew It” Blog Hop. The challenge is to show what you made with the theme of Something to Use at a Picnic. I chose an octagonal table topper made with grilling fabrics by Northcott. Change the fabrics and it would be a great tree skirt!

To visit the other designers in this hop, see the list at the bottom of the page. To print this page, use the green Print Friendly button at the bottom, just above the comments. If that doesn’t work, try pressing down the CNTRL button and the P button at the same time. Or the COMMAND button and the P button if you are on a Mac. That should bring up the printer dialog.

Before starting this project, I recommend that you press your fabric with spray sizing. It will make it easier to cut small pieces. Take the time to clean your machine, put in a new needle, and fill a few bobbins. When pressing, just hold the iron over a spot for a moment or two. This pattern assumes a perfect 1/4” seam.

Octagonal Table Topper

Fabric Requirements

• Black SNS Center (Northcott # 24803-99)
  Cut (1) strip 6-1/2″ wide by the WOF.  From that strip, cut (4) 6-1/2″ squares.
• Red Checkerboard (Northcott # 24810-24)
  Cut (2) strip 5-1/4″ wide by the WOF.  From those strips, cut (8) 5-1/4″ squares.
• Lemons (Northcott # 24807-10)
  Cut (1) strip 7″ wide by the WOF.  From that strip, cut (4) 7″ squares.
• Chili Peppers on Black (Northcott # 24809-99)
  Cut (1) strip 12-1/2″ wide by the WOF.  From that strip, cut (1) 12-1/2″ square and
  (4) 7″ squares
• Words on White (Northcott # 24802-10)
  Cut (1) strip 13″ wide by the WOF.  From that strip, cut (2) 13″ squares.
• Binding (Northcott # 24805-74)
  A bias binding is recommended. 

You might also need:

· Fine, sharp pins
· A 4-1/2″, 6-1/2″, and a 12-1/2″ square ruler 
· Best Press or other spray starch

This Octagonal Table Topper is actually a nine-patch made from (4) “Economy Patch” blocks that are placed so they make a center star.  Here is how to make those blocks.

Assemble:

• (4) 6-1/2″ Words on Black Squares.
• (8) 5-1/4″ Red Checkerboard Squares, cut on the diagonal to make a total of (16) triangles.
• (4) 7″ Chili Peppers Squares, cut on the diagonal to make a total of (8) triangles.
• (4) 7″ Lemon Squares, cut on the diagonal to make a total of (8) triangles.

An Economy block starts with a Square-in-a-Square block, which is then sewn on-point in another block. The center square-in-a-square block in this pattern has a 6-1/2″ center square with (4) corner triangles.  These (4) triangles have been created by cutting (2) 5-1/4″ squares on the diagonal.

Sew a Red Checkerboard triangle to opposite sides of the 6-1/2″ Words on Black square, matching the center of the square with the center of the triangle.  Press to the triangle. 

Sew a Red Checkerboard triangle to the remaining two sides of the square, matching the center of the square with the center of the triangle.  Press to the triangle.  Square up the block to 9″ × 9″,
taking care not to cut off the points.

Sew a Lemon triangle and a Chili Peppers triangle to opposite sides of the 9″ Square-in-a-Square that you just made, matching the center of the square with the center of the triangle.  Press to the triangle. 

Sew a Lemon triangle and a Chili Peppers triangle to the remaining two sides of the  square, matching the center of the square with the center of the triangle.  Press to the triangle.  Square up the block to 12-1/2″ × 12-1/2″, taking care not to cut off the points.

Assemble:

• (2) 13″ Words on White Squares, cut on the diagonal to make (4) triangles.
• (1) 12-1/2″ Chili Peppers Square
• (4) Economy Blocks you just made

Sew the blocks into rows as shown.  Arrange these rows so that the Economy blocks form a star with the  Chili Peppers fabrics.

Sew the three rows together, then give the top one final pressing.  It should measure 36-1/2″ × 36-1/2″.

Quilt as desired. This quilt will look very nice with a bias binding, but it is not required.

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