This table runner is nice as a stand-alone project or as a companion piece to the modern pojagi place mats. It is quick to make and doesn’t take a lot of room to store, so you can make a different one for each season and celebration.
This table runner finishes as a single layer of fabric. There is no batting or backing. It is made using a reversible seam method based on pojagi – traditional Korean patchwork. The finished piece is reversible.
If you are a long-time quilter, this will be a fun new challenge. Just be sure to read all the directions carefully, since it is totally different than western quilting.
Directions are for a 28” long runner, but it would be easier to make a longer one if you prefer.
Supplies
You can make the runner with any type of fabric, but if it is your first modern pojagi project, use something that is reversible, like a batik or a solid. If your fabric has a clear right and wrong side, you will have to be careful to get the fabrics the right way. It is possible with the reversible seam, just more complicated than normal piecing.
Fabric
- Two – 2” WOF (width of fabric) strips colour 1
- Two – 3” WOF strips neutral colour
- One – 3-1/2” WOF strips colour 2
Thread
Use any normal sewing thread. Traditionally in pojagi a contrasting colour is used and the stitching is part of the design. You can use a neutral or match one of the colours of fabric you have or a third colour.
No matter what colour thread you use, your stitches will be visible on the finished project. Don’t stress about this, just relax and enjoy the process.
Assembly
Make strip sets
Join each colour one strip to a neutral strip using the simple pojagi seam method.
Take one of these sets and cut it in half.
Cut the colour two strip in half and join the strip set to either side of one piece. Make sure the neutral is touching the colour.
Cutting
Cut this strip set into two 10” pieces.
Cut two 10-1/2” pieces from the remaining neutral/colour one strip set and one 10-1/2” piece from the colour two strip.
Stitching
Join these pieces together as shown. The colour two strip is in the middle and the neutral/colour one strips are on the end with colour one side out.
If you want a longer runner, it is easy to just make more sets and add them at this point.
Hemming
Trim if necessary so that all the edges are straight.
One side at a time, fold over 1/4” then fold over 1/4” again, pressing each fold well. Top stitch the fold.
It is much easier to hem one side at a time rather than attempt to do all sides at once.
You’re done!
Elizabeth DeCroos
Elizabeth DeCroos is the designer and teacher at Epida Studio. She loves to work in quilting, pojagi and embroidery and teach these techniques to others.
Learn more and get her to speak to your group.