Quilted Table Topper with Sashiko and Chrysanthemum Embroidery

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This tutorial shows you how to make a square quilted table topper with a Japan-inspired look. You will piece the purple and white blocks, add sashiko stitching to the fabric squares, and embroider chrysanthemum flowers with stems and leaves. The finished topper is then quilted and bound with a dark purple border. Follow the steps to sew, embroider, and quilt your own version.

We used the designs from the Sashiko Set, Sashiko Set III, Japanese Chrysanthemums Set and Chrysanthemum Set.
The finished size of the quilt is about 33 1/2" x 33 1/2".
We made the table topper in pink and purple hues, but you can choose your own color palette.

You can purchase this table topper from our Etsy store!

Quilted table topper with purple squares embroidered with sashiko designs and cream blocks embroidered with chrysanthemums.

You will need:

embroidery threads, either polyester or rayon (you can choose your own colors);
1 yard of light-colored fabric (we used light cream) for the parts with the mums embroidery;
several fat quarters of purple fabrics in different shades;
a piece of purple fabric large enough for the border and binding;
fabric for the backing;
light-weight cut-away embroidery stabilizer;
batting;
quilter's ruler;
rotary cutter;
iron;
#12 universal needle for piecing;
quilting threads of matching colors;
#12-#14 quilting needle.

A fragment of the table topper on a table

Embroidery:

Upload the selected files from the Sashiko Set and Sashiko Set III to the embroidery machine. You will need 14 stitch-outs with Sashiko patterns.
Stabilize the purple fabrics. Hoop tightly and embroider the designs.

Trim the stitch-outs to 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" squares.

Cutting:

Out of the light fabric, cut:

14 squares measuring 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" each;
3 pieces measuring 8 1/2" x 12 1/2" each;
1 square measuring 12 1/2" x 12 1/2";
1 strip measuring 4 1/2" x 12 1/2";
2 strips measuring 4 1/2" x 8 1/2".

Out of the border fabric, cut:

2 strips measuring 2 1/2" x 32 1/2";
2 strips measuring 2 1/2" x 34 1/2".

Use the remaining fabric for the binding.

Assembly of the Units:

Note: the seam allowance is 1/4". Press each seam immediately after you make it.

Sew the embroidered purple squares and light-colored squares into 14 pairs.

One embroidered purple sashiko square sewn beside a plain cream square to form a pair

Sew 3 of the pairs into a block, alternating the direction of the squares: the first row with the purple square on the right, the second row with the purple square on the left, and the third row with the purple square on the right.

Three pairs stacked into a block with the purple squares alternating right, left, then right

Sew another 3 pairs into a similar block.

Sew the remaining 8 pairs into 4 blocks of 2 pairs each. These are the 4-square blocks.

Two pairs stacked into a four-square block with the purple squares set on the diagonal

Sew the 4 1/2" x 8 1/2" strips to 3 of the 4-square blocks.

A four-square block with a plain cream strip sewn along its bottom edge

Sew the 4 1/2" x 12 1/2" strip to one of the 3-pair blocks.

A three-pair block with a plain cream strip sewn along one side to make a square unit

Assembly of the Top:

The top consists of 3 rows.
For the first row, use the 3-pair block, one 8 1/2" x 12 1/2" strip and 2 of the 4-square units.
Sew the 8 1/2" x 12 1/2" strip to the right edge of the 3-pair block, then sew a 4-square unit to the right edge of the strip with the light-colored strip of the unit turned down. Finally, sew the last 4-square unit with the light-colored strip turned up.

The second row consists of two 8 1/2" x 12 1/2" pieces and one 4-square block. Sew them together in the order shown in the picture below:

The third row consists of the 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" square, a 4-square unit with the light strip turned down, and the 3-pair block with the light strip turned down. Sew them together as shown in the picture below:

Sew all 3 rows together.

Add the border: sew the 2 1/2" x 32 1/2" strips to the left and right edges of the working piece, and the 2 1/2" x 34 1/2" strips to the upper and lower edges of the working piece.

The finished top is ready for further embroidery.

Assembled top prepared for the chrysanthemum embroidery

Use the paper printouts or the test stitch-outs of the designs to plan the layout of the picture you are going to embroider.
Upload the files from the Japanese Chrysanthemums Set and Chrysanthemum Set to the embroidery machine.
Select the threads. We used the same green with all patterns, but different shades of pink and purple for the flowers.
Stabilize the fabric. Hoop tightly and embroider the designs one by one.

Quilting and Finishing

Now place the backing on a flat surface (table) face down. Cover with batting. Spread your working piece over it.

Pin all layers together.
We quilted in a free-motion style all over the working piece.

Press with steam. Square the piece so that all angles are 90 degrees and opposite sides are the same length.
Finish the raw edges with the binding.