Dutchman's Puzzle Quilt Block + Table Runner Tutorial

Today I'm sharing all of the instructions to make beautiful table runner, just in time for Thanksgiving! You may have seen the adorable mini Flying Geese blocks I've been working on over the past few weeks. I put them together in a traditional Dutchman's Puzzle quilt block and that gave me the itch to make some bigger versions of this block! I've used those blocks to make a fall Table Runner. This tutorial includes the instructions for the 8" x 8" Dutchman's Puzzle quilt block and the 11.5" x 34.5" table runner. Want to change things up? You could swap any 8" x 8" quilt blocks to personalize your runner!

This traditional Dutchman's Puzzle 8" x 8" (finished) quilt block is made up of 8 Flying Geese blocks. I've previously shared my favorite method for making 4-at-a-time, no-waste Flying Geese blocks here. This tutorial will use this same method. If you want more in-depth details, see the original Flying Geese tutorial post.

Table Runner Fabric Requirements

8 assorted colored 5 ¼″ x 5 ¼″ squares (Geese/Triangles)

¼ yard background fabric (cream) - cut into 32 squares 3" x 3"

¼ yard contrast fabric (Yellow gingham in sample) for Setting Triangles

Binding ¼ yard

Backing: ½  yard (piece to create a 14" x 50" backing)

Piecing One Dutchman's Puzzle 8" x 8" Finished Quilt Block

Unfinished, this block will measure 8 ½" x 8 ½"

Take two colored 5 ¼″ x 5 ¼″ squares (these will be the Flying Geese) and 8 cream 3" x 3" squares

Draw a diagonal line on the back of all 8 cream 3" x 3" squares

With the 5 ¼″ x 5 ¼″ print square right sides up, place two 3" x 3" cream face down right sides together in opposite corners, lining up the diagonal lines. The two squares will overlap corners in the middle. This is good.

Pin the squares to hold them in place and sew a scant ¼″ seam on both sides of the drawn diagonal line.

Cut these units in half right on the drawn diagonal line. Press the seam allowance toward the smaller triangles. You will have two units that look like this.

Place another background square right-sides-together in the corner of each print unit and sew scant ¼″ seams again on both sides of the drawn line. Cut on the line and press seams toward the smaller triangles.

You will now have 2 sets of 4 matching Flying Geese blocks. Square up all blocks to 2 ½" x 4 ½".  If you like specialty rulers, this Flying Geese Specialty Ruler from Creative Grids is useful for squaring up multiple sizes of Flying Geese blocks.

(You don’t have to use a specialty ruler – just make sure the point is centered and that there is ¼″ of seam allowance at the top of the point so that the point doesn't get cut off when you sew the blocks together.)

As I mentioned - if you want to see this Flying Geese Tutorial more in depth see this post. Also, if you want to use this method to make Flying Geese blocks in lots of different sizes, click here for a free printable Flying Geese size chart with cutting instructions.

Sew two different colored Flying Geese units together to create 4 identical 4 ½" x 4 ½" blocks.  Rotate the direction of the double Flying Geese blocks to create pinwheel effect. 

Sew blocks together in to 2 rows of 2 blocks. For an unfinished 8 ½" x 8 ½" Dutchman Puzzle Block.

Repeat this process 3 more times for a total of 4 Dutchman's Puzzle Blocks.

Table Runner Assembly

From contrasting fabric (yellow gingham in the sample) cut 3 squares 9" x 9" and cut in half on the diagonal to get 6 right triangles.

One thing to be careful of - the diagonal cuts will give you a bias edge to your table runner. Be careful not to stretch that outside bias edge - especially when quilting. 

[Alternative Setting Triangles OPTION: If you would prefer not to have bias edges in your setting triangles, cut two squares 12 ⅝" x 12 ⅝" and cut that square twice on the diagonal. Each square will produce 4 triangles. Use 6 of them as your side setting triangles.]

Layout blocks and setting triangles like this:

Sew blocks and setting triangles together in 4 diagonal rows. (This is setting the quilt blocks "On Point"). The first and last row will only consist of a Dutchman block and 1 setting triangle. The two middle Dutchman blocks will have a setting triangle on either side. (See below)

Press the seams toward the setting triangles.

Then sew the rows together. Use the intersecting seams as a guide for matching up block points.

Baste and Quilt

Layer table runner front, batting and backing. Baste together and quilt as desired. (This post talks more about basting and machine quilting.)

I definitely recommend using a Walking Foot or Dual-Feed Foot when machine quilting. (Whichever foot works best with your sewing machine.) It will help to evenly feed the multiple layers through the machine (preventing tucks or puckers on the back) and produce a nice, consistent stitch length.

I just did a simple straight line diagonal grid using the diagonal lines in the blocks as a guide. 

Another one of my favorite fast stitches for machine quilting on my home machine is a Serpentine Stitch. This is Stich 2-18 on my Baby Lock Crescendo and Destiny Sewing Machines.

The reason I love this stitch is that you're basically sewing in a straight line, but the machine does all of the work moving the needle to create the wavy line. You can also play with stitch width to change the shape and density of the design.

And the final look creates a free-motion stipple effect, without having to actually free motion quilt!

Trim batting and backing and bind using your favorite method. I walk through How to Bind a Quilt here. 

Another option: you could make the Table Runner reversible by putting something pretty on the back. I pieced some smaller pieces together to create this contrasting back.

In addition to making a table runner, I made extra blocks and turned them into hot pads or a pretty trivet to protect a surface from hot dishes. 

Either of these projects - the Table Runner or Trivet would make lovely hostess thank you gifts if you're going somewhere for Thanksgiving.

This post is generously sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing Machines. I used my super versatile Baby Lock Destiny II sewing machine to piece, quilt and bind this project.

I have been a Baby Lock ambassador for over 6 years now and have loved every machine I’ve worked with. They have machines ranging from simple to complex to fit your budget and your needs! You can find your nearest Baby Lock dealer here. Baby Go HERE for tips for choosing the right sewing machine for you. 

You can find current machine deals and specials going on right now at Baby Lock retailers.

Fabrics used for these projects are from Minki Kim's Forgotten Memories fabric collection and Gabrielle Neil's Maple collection. Textured cream-colored background is Riley Blake's Texture Basic in Cloud.

As I was writing this tutorial I realized I kept calling the block Flying Dutchman (combining Dutchman's Puzzle and Flying Geese). 😂 In my humble opinion, I think it's a much better name. Who's with me? lol