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These 16 free summer table topper and runner patterns bring seasonal color to a dining table, patio, or picnic setup. Choose from stars and patriotic banners, beach and ocean motifs, fruit, flowers, butterflies, and flexible geometric designs. Each project below links to its pattern page; check that page for the current instructions, materials, finished size, and any download requirements.
Stars and patriotic designs
Splash of Sparkle
White-background stars stand out against gray dotted triangle corners. Use contrasting quilting cottons to preserve the crisp, graphic look. Get the free Splash of Sparkle pattern from AllPeopleQuilt.
Star Garden
Eight-pointed stars give this design a classic summer motif, and the pattern description notes that the construction avoids y-seams. Get the free Star Garden pattern from AllPeopleQuilt.
Star-Spangled Summer
Red, white, and blue make this an easy fit for a Fourth of July table or other patriotic gathering. Get the free Star-Spangled Summer pattern from AllPeopleQuilt.
Summer Stars Table Topper
Large-print fabric or a panel can do much of the visual work in this bright star-themed topper; fussy cutting helps place a favorite motif where it will show. Get the free Summer Stars Table Topper pattern from AllPeopleQuilt.
#1 Best Overall
- Long and skinny or short and wide, modern and minimal or traditional and scrappy, the 56 toppers in this book fit any table
- This collection features patterns bytoday's favorite designers
- Styled photography offers a colorful preview of how the quick-to-stitch projects look on tabletops and shows creative ways to include the designs in your home decor
- Seasonal and holiday themed projects are ideal for gift giving and year-round stitching
- See more in product description.
Salute to Summer
Green and gray give this red-white-blue-inspired design a modern shift, while triangle-squares create banner-like shapes. Get the free Salute to Summer pattern from AllPeopleQuilt.
Beach and ocean patterns
Beach Umbrella Table Runner
Striped fabric forms an overhead beach-umbrella effect. Choose stripes with clear contrast so the umbrella motif reads across the table. Get the free Beach Umbrella Table Runner pattern from AllPeopleQuilt.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsRide the Wave Table Runner
Ocean-blue batiks create subtle shifts in color for a wave-inspired look without a high-contrast motif. Get the free Ride the Wave Table Runner pattern from AllPeopleQuilt.
Summer Sea Glass Table Runner
Tone-on-tone sea-glass hues give this runner a softly sparkling effect. It suits a palette of related blues and greens rather than strongly contrasting prints. Get the free Summer Sea Glass Table Runner pattern from AllPeopleQuilt.
Fruit and refreshing summer drinks
Pineapple Chunks
This pineapple project uses quilt-as-you-go rows, combining piecing with batting and backing as you build. Ragged-edge leaves finish the fruit motif. Get the free Pineapple Chunks pattern from AllPeopleQuilt.
Rank #3
- Let your creative spirit soar with this nature-inspired, 17dimensional table topper
- Stitch together to reveal secondary leaves
- Another fold 'n stitch project designed for gift-giving as well as your own table
- Package dimensions : 6.0 inches (H) x 9.75 inches (L) x 0.1 inches (W)
Summer Refreshers
Appliquéd fruit and straws decorate pieced drink glasses. Bring in small-scale fruit prints or solid colors for the appliqué details, following the pattern’s material guidance. Get the free Summer Refreshers pattern from AllPeopleQuilt.
Recommended Free Tools
Summertime Table Runner
A watermelon design and flip-and-sew construction make this a playful choice for a summer meal. Get the free Summertime Table Runner pattern from AllPeopleQuilt.
Rank #4
- Designer Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts
- Pattern includes illustrations and instructions
- Great addition to any quilter's collection!
- Package Dimension : 11inches L x 10inches W x 8.8inches H
Flowers and butterflies
Sunflower Table Runner
Vibrant scraps come together in a cheerful sunflower-inspired runner, making this a natural project for using a varied stash of quilting cotton. Get the free Sunflower Table Runner pattern from AllPeopleQuilt.
Butterfly Garden Table Runner
Three appliqué-like butterflies appear to cross the runner. Pick background and butterfly fabrics with enough contrast to keep the shapes distinct. Get the free Butterfly Garden Table Runner pattern from AllPeopleQuilt.
Best Value
- Used Book in Good Condition
Sunny and flexible geometric designs
Sunny Day Table Runner
A warm palette and batiks give this runner its sunny character; deliberate color placement is part of the design, so plan the fabric arrangement before sewing. Get the free Sunny Day Table Runner pattern from AllPeopleQuilt.
Summer Days Table Topper
Bright-print squares alternate with Four-Patch blocks for a simple, structured arrangement. It is a good option for combining coordinated prints with smaller contrasting pieces. Get the free Summer Days Table Topper pattern from AllPeopleQuilt.
Mix-It-Up Table Runner
This versatile pieced design is intended for varied colors and prints, so it can be adapted to scraps or a coordinated fabric selection. Get the free Mix-It-Up Table Runner pattern from AllPeopleQuilt.
What you’ll need to finish a table topper
Check the chosen pattern’s supply list before cutting; fabric quantities and finished dimensions vary by project and should not be assumed from the pattern name alone. Most quilted toppers use a pieced or appliquéd top, batting, and backing, secured together with quilting stitches.
- Quilting cotton or another fabric specified by the pattern; scraps, batiks, tone-on-tone prints, panels, and yardage suit different designs.
- Thread for piecing and quilting.
- Batting and backing fabric, sized according to the pattern instructions.
- Binding fabric and the tools needed to cut, piece, quilt, and finish the edges.
Some patterns call for a particular finishing method. For example, Maywood Studio’s Garden Picnic Garnish instructions describe a 16 x 47-inch runner and say to turn the binding to the back and stitch it down by hand with matching thread. Those dimensions and instructions apply to that separate pattern, not automatically to the projects listed here. Pattern pages and download access can change, so confirm the current details at the linked page before starting.
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