Scrappy Table Runners

I have been piecing these Idaho Square Dance blocks in my spare time just for the fun of it. I just wanted to piece something for no reason. The scrap bin is overflowing and I do have a scrap quilt drawn up in EQ7 to use some of it up but I can't decide if I want to use my batik scraps or the main stream fabrics. At one time I thought I could make two quilts and that would be interesting at the end to compare the two but do I have time to make two quilts. Who knows! It may happen. So in the meantime I sewed these blocks together and finished them off with some simply straight line quilting and this is what I ended up with.

Now do you see the difference in size. I only noticed it when I took the photo. There was an accident with the top one and I had to wash it after the cat bump me while have a cup of tea making me spill some on it while I was binding it. It shrunk a little. I may have to wash the other to match it up. Here is a snapshot of the culprit  misbehaving when I am trying to take a progress shot on another project. I don't know why cats love quilts but they do in my household anyway even when they are not finished.

That is Denim the Menace our blue oriental boy.

I am linking up with Scraptastic Tuesday and Let's Bee Social  so pop over and see what others are working on.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Under the Pressure Foot #16

I have been waiting for this range to arrive since I ordered it in June. It is Thimble Pleasures and features vintage sewing machines panel, scissors, tape measures, thimbles and sewing sayings. They are all now available at Cynthia's Ark.

I have two projects ideas for you for this range.  Today I will share the first idea and next week I will share the other idea once I do a little more sewing on the project. Firstly the panel can easily be cut into 2 strips of 4 sewing machines.

So the first idea is a table runner. So you could make 2 table runners from 1 panel or you could make 1 table runner and 4 matching cushions. For the table runner all you need is a cream inner border. I used Riley Blake Designs Shades Cream fabric for an inner border.

Then I used the Thimble fabric from Thimble Pleasures for the second border.

I will have to find some quilting time now to finish this table runner off but I do know I will be using the tape measure fabric for the binding.
When I finish this table runner I will write the pattern up and put it under the tutorial tab for anyone who would like to make one. These fabrics are available at Cynthia's Ark.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Under the Pressure Foot #8

What have I been working on? Let me share it with you. If you saw my Playing with Fabric post featuring the Always the Season fabric you have seen the start of this project, if not here is the link to the post. I decided to continue with this project using the nine patch blocks and I ended up with 5 blocks for my table runner. I laid out the five blocks so I could make sure I had enough pieces before sewing. If I kit this up with the pattern I think I will add an extra 5cm to the stripe to get a few more blocks but this is why I am playing. I am amazed to get this variety  from 1 piece of fabric. All the blocks are simple nine patch blocks, no extra seams. The only thing you need to remember is some of the square have been cut on the bias so you need to take care with you handle them so you don't stretch them out of shape.
These are the 5 blocks completed.

At this point I added the cream hexagon print for the sashing and first border.

Then the paisley print for the second border.

I am going to use this floral for the backing and the smaller stripe for the binding but I need to quilt it first.

Last week I received a new quilting foot for my machine and quilting rulers that I ordered. So we are going to do some testing. If it all goes well, the plan is add these products to the shop. So tune in for the next post on this project.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Fab Box #2 Project- Evening Bloom Table Runner Tutorial

Evening Blooms Table Runner

Materials                                                                                    1 x Evening Blooms Fab Box or 5 x 2 1/2’ co-ordinating strips (WOF)                13 x 27' Batting                                                                            13 x 27’ Backing Fabric                                                                General sewing supplies (sewing machine, thread, pins etc)                    

 Easy Angle Ruler                            

Let’s start. Choose one strip for your binding and put aside. (I selected the black strip). Lay out your 4 strips as per picture.

Take the 2 middle strips out and pair them together right sides together. Use an Easy Angle Ruler and cut 8 sets of triangles.

Sew your triangles together creating 8 half square triangle units. Press to the darker fabric. Layout your HST units as per picture.

Sew your row of squares together. This is the centre of your table runner.

Measure and cut 1 strip x 16’ each from your HST strips to go either side of your HST strip. Sew them on and press seams to the outer strips.

                   

Cut 1 x 6 ½’ each strips from your HST strips and sew them on to the sides. Press to the outer fabrics.

Cut 1 x 20’ strip of each from the next 2 fabrics and sew them on. Press toward the outer border.

Cut 1 x 10 ½’ of each of second strips and sew them on the sides. Press towards the outer border.

This completes the top of your table runner. Cut your backing fabric and batting/wadding approx. 27 x 13’. Lay your backing fabric out (right side down) secure it with clamps or tape, then the batting goes on top followed by your table runner top. Make sure you smooth each layer as you go so you don’t have any lumps. Baste with safety pins or for small project you can use baste spray glue and quilt as you like. I used the diagonal lines of the HST units to guide my diagonal quilting line across the whole table runner.

Now for the binding I randomly cut the black strip and sewed  the remaining strips alternately with the black strip. You will not be able to mitre your joins as there is not quite enough fabric left to mitre all your joins. Trust me I started and quickly realised I was going to be short.  Stitch the binding to the front of your quilt (folded edge facing in), mitring the corners and join. Trim the backing and batting to ½ inch from your binding stitching line. Fold the binding over the raw edges enclosing them hold in place with binding clips and stitch it in place on the back of your quilt with a matching thread. Finish your quilt with a label.

Finished size: 24 x 10 ½’                     

  Care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of this pattern. However the designer has no control over the choice of materials or procedures used, no responsibility will be taken or results guaranteed.                                                                    This table runner was designed by Cynthia Woodham for Cynthia’s Ark. This pattern is personal use only, not to be copied in any form unless you have permission from the designer. Copyright © Cynthia’s Ark 2015

                                              

        

This is all the fabric I had left from the Fab Box.

What I am working on

This is what I have been playing with, the Home for the Holiday fabrics that are currently in stock. This is an easy afternoon project. Great for dressing up your Christmas table or if you use other fabric dressing up any table for any time of the year. Shall I write up a tutorial for this project? Let me know and if there is some interest I will write one up to share.

I made a ceramic christmas tree lamp a few years back and I am wondering if it the right size to fit under it. Not long before the Christmas decorations come out. So we will soon see if it fits. I am sure I could make a larger one if needed.

Until Next Time 

Keep Stitching

Cynthia