A New Runner for Spring

Do you ever buy a mini charm pack, bring it home and add it to your stash (and perhaps forget about it for awhile) then when you find it again, think "What am I going to do with this?!" Such was the case with this Prints Charming pack by Moda that I picked up (two of them, actually) a few years ago.  It's not really "my colours" but I guess a little variation is not a bad thing. "Step out of your box" and all that....

 I decided I would use it in a small runner. Mixed in with the prints were co-ordinating solids. Solids have never been my choice to work with (I know, never say "Never".. I actually have a solids project on my "Want to Make" list right now!!) but I do know I don't care for them mixed in with prints, co-ordinates or not! So I plucked those out and saved them for piecing the back.

As you can see, this is a very simple and quick runner to make up (great for a quick gift!) The pattern is from Connie Kresin Campbell's blog, Free Motion by the River which you can find here. She calls it the 6 Square Runner. Thanks Connie, for the great pattern!

I was just a bit short on fabric for the back, so by piecing
strips with the solid mini charms, I made it work. 

Because I pulled the solid squares, mine is a bit shorter than hers; Connie used all 42 mini charms on the front, I used just 36, so I have 6 "rows" whereas hers has 7. Both work! My runner's finished size is 14" x 31". 

I quilted it with an overall clamshell design with my walking foot in a matching soft beige Aurifil thread, and although I had purchased yardage of one of the dark greens to use for the binding, I really liked the background fabric better so ended up using it.

As you can see, I have a "supervisor" making sure I get that binding sewn on just so.
Scamp loves to see what I'm working on... you know the saying about curiosity and the cat!








Of course you could use a regular charm pack of 5" squares for this too, just slice each one into four 2.5" squares. I can see myself making another of these, probably with Christmas prints. I have part of a Christmas charm pack left from another project. I'll have to count the remaining squares to see if there would be enough. If not I'll just mix in a few other reds and greens... you wouldn't tell, would you?

I am linking to Wendy's Peacock Party here. Stop by to see what everyone has been working on this week.

Easter is coming...is everybunny at your house ready?

Peace,
Linda

Fabriholic: n: One who can't control the urge to buy fabric they don't have a project for. Again.

Stepping Stones Table Runners

It's high time I showed you a few completed sewing projects (just in case you think I've been slacking.) These two runners are done from the same pattern, Stepping Stones Table Runner by midcoast cottage design. I cannot say I've been bitten by the "modern quilting" bug but I did like this pattern. It has a somewhat modern look to it, I think. It's about as modern as you'll see from this ole traditional gal. I will include these with other samples for my machine quilting classes; I think students find it helpful to see the same project quilted in different ways. I know I do; many of us struggle with how to quilt something, ie. what type of design to use. The runner at 15" x 54" is a bit too big for my kitchen table but it fits well on the dining room table.

The first one was done with a Moda charm pack called Tole Christmas.  I quilted this one with 1" cross-hatching in a 50 wt. light green Aurifil thread (colour 1231).











Although many like to quilt with a 40 wt. I often use 50 wt. when I don't want the quilting to "take over." When I want the colours/fabrics/pattern design to be the main focus, the quilting is secondary to me and this nice fine 50 wt. 2 ply is just the answer! It's there, but it's not "in your face."  Beautiful! Love my Aurifil!  ♥

The pattern required 1 yard for the background and binding, but with some very careful planning and using more pieces from the charm pack, I pieced a section of the back and had enough for background, binding AND the backing by purchasing 1.25 yards. Whew! It was a squeaker though, almost nothing left over!

The second one was done with batiks from my stash in autumn tones of greens, golds and burgundies. The colour of the background is a soft gold, a little hard to tell in these photos. It wasn't great lighting today...

Again I pieced a section of the backing (makes it a little more interesting anyway, don'cha think?) and it was quilted with simple straight lines in a 30 wt. Sulky Blendable thread, colour 4044 - "Butterscotch." I like both runners, but I think I prefer this one. I do love me some luscious batiks....

Piece!
Linda

Gather the threads of your life... and stitch them into joy!