table runner

Valentines Day Table Runner

| terriaw

I finished my Valentines Day table runner, which I pieced together and quilted last year, but I never finished sewing on the binding. Now I can count this as another finished project for the year!

It’s simply uneven strips pieced together, with a border around them. Our buffet table measures about 17 inches deep and this new runner is about 14 inches, so it fits nicely. I love this combination of colors – brown with red and pink.

I appliqued the hearts with my old sewing machine, which never cooperated when doing applique or zig-zag stitches. I ended up hand sewing over the spotty machine stitching because it skipped every couple stitches.

For the binding, I pieced together a combination of the leftover fabrics, which looks cool as you wind your way around this runner.

I’m so happy I stuck with this project, and finally finished it! It adds colorful cheer in our living room, especially this time of year when things look so drab outside. It’s actually the only Valentine’s Day decoration we have in the house, except for that bowl of red and pink MnMs.

Speaking of Valentine’s Day, I have to give a shout out to thank my friend Vicki for sending me a surprise Valentine’s Day package!

She is famous for her whirligig pinwheels, so I feel honored to get a towel with a red-and-white-pinwheel-band through the middle.

I will be wearing this adorable heart brooch for the rest of the week!

A Fun and Productive Weekend

| terriaw

We had a nice dinner party on Halloween night. We invited my aunts and uncle who live in a retirement complex so they could see all the trick-or-treaters in our neighborhood.
front porch on HalloweenI think we had at least 30 kids, and they were all wearing fantastic costumes. I was so impressed! After our guests left, we hung out at the neighbors’ bonfire for some cocktails and a few laughs.

pumpkins lit up on the porch

Next up, I finished quilting my table runner today! I mentioned previously that I used Anina’s pattern, which I liked and would recommend. I don’t think I was as precise as her pattern calls for, so it turned out a little more wonky, but in a good way, of course! This project is made from the Natural Territory fabrics by Terry Atkinson, which I found at my local quilt shop.

Fall Table Runner

(My photos turned out a little dark – I had to hurry before the sun set early today with our Daylight Savings time change.)

I used the walking foot to quilt random lines across it, which was fun. I think the straight lines gave this project a cool, modern effect.

Back of Fall tablerunner

I just need to finish hand sewing the binding to the back and then it will be ready to use through the month of November. It measures 17 inches x 46 inches, just right for our buffet.

fun colors for fall tablerunner

I am looking forward to working on a few patchwork products this week to post in my shop for the upcoming holiday seasons. Hope you all had a great Halloween weekend, and have a great week!

Sewing Saturday – Table Runners

| terriaw

I have some homework to do, but I have been looking forward to spending some time today sewing since I have these two projects almost finished.

The first sewing project I am working on is a table runner for Valentine’s Day.  I used Doris’ pattern from Threads of Conversation, but I had to change the measurements to accommodate the fabric quantities I had in my stash.

Valentines table runner

I am also working on  this red and yellow table runner using three Michael Miller fabrics and this cool disappearing 9-patch pattern from Spool Sewing.

red-yellow table runner

I recently discovered that my sewing machine has the ability to drop the feed dogs, which means I can do my own machine quilting.  Yes, after owning this machine for about ten years, I never knew!  I ordered a free motion/darning foot and a walking foot this week, since we seem to be losing all of our sewing machine shops around here.  So I’m off to machine quilt these two table runners.  How fun!

How are you spending your Saturday?