Prairie Patchwork Piano Runner

Today I am sharing a project that I have wanted to create for the past few months. This past summer we inherited  a piano from my husbands family and I have wanted to make a piano runner for it. This weekend I made the piano runner and I love how it turned out. Don't forget to check the end of my post for a giveaway.

A month ago I was sent this fat quarter bundle of fabric from the Little House on The Prairie® Andover Fabrics Collection. I fell in love with them and spent a few days dreaming about what I would make with them.

These prairie inspired fabrics made me think of so many homey sewing projects I could create: pot holders, an apron, a mini quilt, scrap stockings for Christmas, and a piano runner. I decided on the piano runner.

For my piano runner, I decided to do an easy patchwork pattern using 4-inch blocks. I measured the top of my piano, then started cutting out squares. I ended up using 32 squares of this lovely fabric.

I stitched these into 2 long strips of 16 blocks, using a 1/4-inch seam. It took no time at all to stitch them together.

I laid the two strips of blocks together with the pattern facing each other. Then I pinned the strips of blocks together on one side and sewed them so there were now two rows of 16 blocks.

I bought a natural muslin as a backing to complement the prairie inspired fabrics. I wanted to make a border around the patchwork blocks, so my next step was to cut the muslin so there would be enough extra fabric to make a 2-inch border. I added one extra inch all the way around so I could sew an easy double-fold hem. (see a visual tutorial here) I use the double-fold hem (sometimes called double-turn) on my blankets as well. It's an easy hem for a beginner to use.

I folded my muslin in 1/2 an inch and ironed a crisp clean edge all the way around. I then folded that over to meet the edge of my patchwork fabric and ironed again. I then pinned the layers of fabric together, making sure to pin where the fabrics met so where I would be sewing wouldn't move.

I then sewed along the edge of the muslin where it meets the patchwork with a 1/4-inch seam. I like to start my sewing halfway down one of the long sides. I find it easier to work with the corners that way. Here is how it turned out.

This piano runner is perfect for protecting the top of our family piano. I love how it looks. It makes it homey and welcoming.

I then finished my display by placing my double sided holiday blocks and our cinnamon scented pine cones onto the piano runner. My husband and both of our girls said how nice it looked.

As a little extra note: my 10 year old loves all of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. She came into my craft room while I was folding up the extra fabric. She said, "Where did you get this adorable Little House on the Prairie fabric Mom? I would love an apron made with this fabric!" I told her that I was sent the fabric and I definitely had enough left over that I could make her an apron.

Are you wondering where you can buy this fabric yourself? You can use the store locator at Andover Fabrics website: click here. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that 6 stores near me carry this fabric collection. There are actually three fabric collections available, not just the 5 prints I received.

To see what other projects have been made using the Little House on the Prairie® fabric, you can search on Instagram with the hashtags #LittleHouseMoment and #LHOTPFabrics.

Now on to the giveaway! If you live in the US, enter to win a Little House prize pack worth $383. You could win a bundle of fat quarters for all three collections of the new fabric line from Andover Fabrics, a tote bag made of the beautiful fabric, the complete collection of Little House on the Prairie® DVD's, Quilting with Laura book, and more! Enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win this great prize package!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway ends on December 14th and is open to US residents only - 18 and over. Good luck!!