1 1/2 yards of flange fabric (This fabric will show on both sides, so make sure it complements both feature fabrics--if they're busy prints, choose a solid for the flange; tonal prints and horizontal stripes also work well.)
1/4 yard of fabric for the accent strip, or 1"-wide grosgrain ribbon per side (Striped and/or checked fabrics cut on the bias make ideal accent strips. One yard will yield four unpieced bias lengths of accent strips. If you piece the strips you'll need less fabric.)
12" of 1/2"-wide fusible web
All seams are 1/2" unless otherwise indicated.
Cut the two feature fabrics into 41" squares, making sure to cut off the selvages.
Cut four flange strips any width you choose, but you may need to adjust the yardage amount. To cut them all from one fabric width, four 10"-wide strips fit nicely within 44"-wide fabric. This makes a 4 1/2"-wide finished border width (10" folded in half, minus 1/2" seam allowances). If the flange width is different, determine how long to cut the flange using the following equation: The feature fabric length plus the flange cut width minus 1/2" equals the flange length. For example, a 36"-square feature fabric and a 13"-wide flange (6" finished) yield a 48 1/2" flange length (36" + 13" - 1/2" = 48 1/2").
For the featured topper, cut the flange fabric into four 10" x 50 1/2" strips.
Fold each flange strip in half lengthwise with wrong sides together, and press a firm crease at the foldline. Cut each end at a 45° angle (1).
Cut eight 2" x 41" accent strips--four for each side of the topper.
Place two flange strips right sides together along the angled ends. Stitch, beginning and ending 1/2" from the raw edges. Take one stitch across the point when turning the corner (2). Grade one seam allowance to 1/4" and taper into the point. Repeat to stitch all four strips together to form a frame.
Press seam allowances open using a wooden point presser and turn right side out. Fold each side along the pressed crease with wrong sides together to form a mitered frame. Press and set aside (3).
Wrong sides together, fold each accent strip in half lengthwise; press. With raw edges aligned, position a strip on one feature-fabric square, right sides together; pin. Edgestitch the accent strip along the fold, being careful not to stretch it. Repeat, stitching three more accent strips to one feature fabric and the remaining four to the second feature fabric (4).
Right sides together, and matching the raw edges, pin one side of the flange frame to one feature-fabric square along one side. Position the flange seam 1/2" from each featurefabric corner (5). Stitch the side, backstitching at the beginning and end of each seam. Repeat to attach the frame to the remaining three sides of the feature-fabric square. Grade the seam allowances, and press all seams toward the flange.
Stitch the second feature-fabric square to the other side of the flange frame, leaving a 12" opening on one side. Grade the seam allowances, and turn the topper right side out.
Using the flange-frame folds as a guideline, press the exterior of the table topper, making sure that the flange seam allowances remain open and the seam allowances between the feature fabric and flange are pressed toward the flange.
Seal the 12" opening using the fusible web strip. If you're using decoratorweight fabric, you may need to slipstitch the opening for additional security.
Before washing, place safety pins along the feature fabric/flange seamlines to keep seam allowances in the proper position for pressing.
Fold each flange strip in half lengthwise with wrong sides together, and press a firm crease at the foldline. Cut each end at a 45° angle (1).
Place two flange strips right sides together along the angled ends. Stitch, beginning and ending 1/2" from the raw edges. Take one stitch across the point when turning the corner (2). Grade one seam allowance to 1/4" and taper into the point. Repeat to stitch all four strips together to form a frame.
Press seam allowances open using a wooden point presser and turn right side out. Fold each side along the pressed crease with wrong sides together to form a mitered frame. Press and set aside (3).
Wrong sides together, fold each accent strip in half lengthwise; press. With raw edges aligned, position a strip on one feature-fabric square, right sides together; pin. Edgestitch the accent strip along the fold, being careful not to stretch it. Repeat, stitching three more accent strips to one feature fabric and the remaining four to the second feature fabric (4).