This week we get to make one of my favorite part of this table runner – creating and appliquéing the flip flop motifs! I’ll share how to hand-cut these motifs and add them to your runner. I'll also share tips on using a die cutting machine (if you have one) to make this project even easier. Let’s gather our cut fabric pieces and get started!
For this week's step, we'll need the following pieces:
- 11" x 30" (28cm x 76cm) center fabric piece
- 4" x 8" (10cm x 20cm) flip flop pieces
- 4"x 4" (10cm x 10cm) toe pieces
- HeatnBond pieces cut for all flip flop and toe pieces.
- Flip flop and toe piece patterns. *TIP: Print on heavier paper or cardstock to create a sturdier template that's easier to trace.
- Pencil or pen
- Optional: glue stick
Preparing and Hand-Cutting the Flip Flop Motif
Give each flip flop and toe fabric piece a good press to eliminate any wrinkles.
Iron on HeatnBond on the back of each flip flop and toe fabric piece. I typically press my iron down for about 10 seconds and use steam to help the adhesive stick better. Lift the edge of the HeatnBond to make sure it's adhered in place. If not, iron for a few seconds longer until it's bonded to the fabric.
Trace the flip flop pattern on the back of the fabric pieces on the paper adhesive backing. You'll want to trace 3 flip flops with the left flip flop pattern and 3 flip flops with the right pattern. *TIP: Use a glue stick and add dots of glue to the back of the pattern to help keep it in place while tracing. This is especially helpful with the smaller toe piece pattern. I like to use a pencil, too, so I can erase any lines that are crooked.
Trace the toe piece pattern pieces the same way as the flip flop pieces. *TIP: Consider labeling the pieces with an "L" for left or "R" for right on the paper backing to help you sort which toe pieces go with the correct flip flop piece.
Cut out the flip flop and toe pieces with sharp scissors. That will give your pieces more crisp edges.
Remove the paper backing.
Check for any overlapping edges from the toe pieces by placing the toe piece on top of the flip flop. Trim any excess edges. For placement, I usually place the toe piece about 1/4" from the top of the flip flop and rotate the toe piece until it lines up with the flip flop edges. You can use your judgement, too, on what looks best for placement.
Ironing on the Flip Flop Motifs
I recommend placing the far left and far right flip flop pieces first. This will give you the outside parameter and help guide you where to place all the pieces.
Place your first flip flop motif at an angle on the left side of the center panel with the top rounded edge about 2" (5cm) from the edge and the bottom rounded part of the heel about 3 1/2" (9cm) from the edge. Your flip flop will be about 2" (5cm) from the top and bottom of the panel, too.
Repeat with the far right flip flop motif and the right edge.
Place the second flip flop motif next to the far left flip flop you placed earlier. Rotate the flip flop until the two pieces are about 1" apart at the heels. Repeat with the flip flop motif next to the far right piece you placed earlier.
Finally add the last pair of flip flops in the center. You can use your judgement and center them between the other two pairs.
Once all pairs are in place, press them with a hot steam iron for about 10 seconds to fuse them in place. TIP: The flip flop placement is a suggestion. Feel free to move and place the flip flop motifs as you'd like. Be creative and have fun!
Stitching Down the Flip Flop Pieces
We’ll use a small zigzag stitch to sew these in place. I usually set my zigzag stitch to 3 mm wide and 2 mm high for a small, neat stitch.
You can use matching thread or clear nylon thread. I’ve found either works great. One advantage to nylon thread is you don’t have to change your thread for each color. For the runner in these photos, I've used nylon clear thread.
For an example on how to use this technique for applique, you can check out this video for a similar project on my YouTube channel here.
Adding the Toe Piece
Place the toe piece on each coordinating flip flop piece about 1/4" from the top.
Be sure to match left toe pieces with left flip flop pieces and right toe pieces with right flip flop pieces. The point on the toe piece will point towards the top wider part of the flip flop.
Iron the toe pieces in place on top of the stitched flip flop pieces.
Stitch the toe pieces in place. I use a straight stitch slightly from the edge since these are smaller pieces.
Using a Die Cutting Machine
If you have a Cricut Maker or a Silhouette Cameo 4 you can cut the flip flop using your die cutting machine. You just need an SVG file or image file that works with your machine. I use a Cricut Maker, so I upload SVG, jpeg, or png files to my machine.
If you have purchased the Flip Flop Hop Runner pattern and are interested in using your die cutting machine, email me at info@coloradothreadworks.com and I'll send the file to you. This is something we've come up after the pattern was published, so I'm happy to share the new cut file with you.
Here's how to cut the image:
Upload the flip flop image file to your software. The pattern will allow you to cut 1 pair of flip flop and toe pieces at a time. You can still use the individual 4” x 8” pieces of fabric for each flip flop or use an 8” x 8” piece of fabric to cut a pair of flip flops at the same time. The same goes for the toe pieces – you can use the 4” square piece of fabric or a 4”x 8” piece of fabric to cut them at the same time.
In your design software, scale the flip flop to 7” long and 2 ¾”(17cm x 7 cm) at the widest part across the flip flop foot area. The toe piece has been scaled to fit the flip flop. In the Cricut Design software for my machine, I scale the entire image to about 7.5" wide x 9.5" (17cm x 19cm) long.
Prepare your fabric by taking off the adhesive paper backing. *IMPORTANT – if you leave the paper backing on it will shift during cutting and possibly affect the accuracy of the cut.
2. Place your fabric right side down on the cutting mat with the adhesive side up. *IMPORTANT – You don’t want the adhesive side of the fabric to touch the cutting mat, or it will stick and create a mess. I learned this the hard way!
Cut the pieces according to your machine's software and directions. I cut my pieces using the cotton fabric and more settings (more pressure than the default cut).
Here's an example of what your pieces will look like once cut and the excess fabric is taken off. Now you are ready to use them on your runner!
Next Steps for Next Week!
Now that we have our flip flops stitched on the center runner piece, we are ready for borders. We'll sew those on next week, so you have some time to get your borders cut and ready. This week was a big step and I'm excited we worked on this favorite part together! I'll look forward to seeing you next week as we add those borders!