Fun Christmas Runner Tutorial

I have received in less than 24 hours quite a few emails asking for the pattern to the Christmas Table runner I made for a secret partner in my last post.   No pattern available.. My Secret Partner posted a similiar project in her inspiration mosaic and I just winged it from what I saw.... 



But for those of you who'd like to know what I did...I will happily give you the dimensions....  You know me....I like to share.  It was quick to put together.... I used White Kona that I always have on hand.. approx 1/2 yard is what I used I believe...and I bought 8 different fabrics appox 1/4 each...My LQS didn't have a fat quarter bundle, or I would have probably bought that... I have a just a little bit left over, but I am sure I'll find some use for those fabrics somwhere in my future. *giggle*

The Block is a Basic Star Block..

For EACH BLOCK I used 4 inch squares from all 8 fabrics and one white 4 inch square for the center... I used (8) 3 inch squares to make the points for each star....

(watch out if your using directional fabrics..you'll want to decide if they need to lay all in the same direction or not worry about it...personal preference)

After each star point (4 total per Star Block) is put together...assemble like a standard 9 patch block.  Easy Peasy.....

Once I had each of the stars made... I added a bit of bling with the hand stitching to accent the star.. I did this before quilting, you could do it after quilting, but I thought it would be easier when the blocks were smaller..and I didn't want the stitches to show on the backing..either way works..again..it's all up to your personal preference.

Next... I cut 2.5 inch sashing to all the way around it to set the stars off a bit more... Hind Sight I could have added a strip in between each Star to really set them off individually, but you know the saying...Hind Sight is ALWAYS 20/20.. *giggle*  If you decide to add the sashing in the middle of each star...remember this will add to your overall length...

Then I quilted it with a meandering stitch around each of the stars...I stitched in the ditch of the star and then came in off the hand stitching to make the star pop just a bit more... I used invisible thread for my top thread, just to make the fabric stand out more instead of the quilting.... 

I also stitched approx quarter in off the blocks into the sashing and also went back around after adding the binding and did a quarter inch stitch in from the binding too...

I used some of the fabric left over to piece a backing together...and also used left over pieces to make a scrappy binding... the pieces were approx fat eigths for the backing and I used a 2.25 inch binding.. Next time would use a 2.5 inch binding would be a bit easier.  I did cheat just a bit and machine quilted the binding on..just for time sake, but you can use any binding method you prefer.. *wink*

I also had enough left over lengths of fabric to make a couple of dish towels to add to the festivities... Those 4 inch cuts I made for the Star blocks had enough length to use on the towels.. I just folded the edge over a quarter of an inch and stitched them on... SUPER SIMPLE *giggle*

Finished as is this quilt is 36 x 15... but if you add that sashing in between each star remember it could get a bit longer

For those of you who asked...I'm always happy to share *wink*....Let me know if you make one.. I'd love to see a picture  This fabric line I believe is called JOY by Kate Spain..but please don't quote me on that..I am horrible at the fabric line designer names and such.. I just love fabric...no matter who makes it.. *grin*

Till Next Time...

Another Runner...but with a Story...

I hope my decision is the right one.... Let me tell ya the story....  I signed up to participate in another online swap last month... I was excited...this was another secret partner swap and she doesn't know who I am... I was surfing her pictures and looking for the perfect project to make for her..I decide on one.and on a friday night My SIL & I went to our LQS to sew on projects and spend some girl time together... I decided I'd buy the fabrics for my Secret Partner swap..since I knew the idea I had in mind...they had perfect fabrics, she stated she'd like a Christmas themed item so I bought these fabrics...Started cutting them out...got them all ready to sew, and put aside for the night to work on my Wicked block...See Last post for that fun project.. I LOVeD making that project and appreciated all the wonderful comments!! *wink* 

Back to my story...... I worked overtime the next day... so I wasn't able to sew and I didn't get online to check on any of the other swappers progress...3 days end up going by before I get online to check in... WHAT do I FIND......BUT my Partner has not only made.. but has COMPLETED..... THE EXACT SAME IDEA for her partner...WAIT...let me rephrase that...not just the same idea...but EVEN THE SAME FABRIC LINE!!!!  Shocked and in Awe..I sat looking at my computer screen going what do I do..and what are the Odds of that Happening????? *grrr*

I can't really see myself using the fabrics for myself...and don't really want to spend more money on different fabric and don't have enough to change the idea to try a plan B, since I've already cut the fabric for Plan A....  I've sat and looked at the project on my design wall till today... the deadline to mail is this Monday... By procrastinating...I didn't give myself away and managed to convince myself that it's okay to make the same project... I did read all of her comments and she posted several times that she liked what she sent her partner an awful lot and had a hard time sending it off because she loved it... SOOO I decided to just Go For It.  I went ahead and made it...it's a little different but VERY similiar..I did a few different things... a meandering quilting stitch and a bit of hand stitching before quilting it... SEW I guess it isn't EXACTLY the same... haha... but.. Pretty DARN CLOSE!

Here it is... I Hope that she likes it and isn't too bummed that I didn't post pictures.. I thought it would be awkward to have two projects basically the same on the board by different people.. I hope I made the right decision...   I am pretty sure she is NOT a follower on my blog... I don't even think she knows who I am... I've been sew quiet on the swap board because of the dilemma.....the swap mama's probably think I fell off the earth... Tonight I finished putting it all together and made her a couple of dish towels to go along with it... It turned out Super Cute and I am happy with it... She states that she likes RED, so I used more red fabrics than others... Sorry for the poor picture quality....the lighting in my sewing room at night doesn't really do it justice. 

 I am mailing it out on Monday the Deadline day...and only posting a sneak peak on the SWAP picture pool... I had to vent though and I appreciate you visiting and reading :)  

Till Next Time...

My Turn for Some WiCKeD Fun.

Friday October 26th, 2012

With Everything in CraZy mode at my house.. I am happy to take a break and share some WiCKeD projects. *grin*  Let's give a Great Big Shout out to our WiCKeD Blog Hop Cheerleader Wendy and Captain of the SQUAD! - Madame Samm  for all their Hard Work!   I am enjoying all the great blocks as I visit all the wonderful sites.  You can click on their names above to be directed to their blogs...and the FULL WiCKeD Schedule...

Today is my day to share and I am sharing the day with a great group of ladies... Don't be Scared... it's just a little WiCKeD with Lots of Halloween Inspiration...Sew Make sure you Hop on Over to all these great Sites today.

In Stitches & Seams

Sew.Darn.Quilt

Quilt Monster In My Closet  <<<<---ME *giggle*

Lieselfriends-Di... Handnäher

The Learning Curve Quilts And Such

Qreative Quilts And Quests

Sew Many Yarns

Annieoak Designs

Searching Out Simple

Sheila's Quilt World

Val Spiers Sews

Robin - That Other Blog

  My "squary-basic" block has turned into a WicKeD table runner.   I have included a picture below that has the cut sizes of each block - If you need a quick table runner - this is fast and fun *giggle*.   I know, I know our blocks were only suppose to be 12.5 in size, but I couldn't resist making this a bit bigger.  It would have been a bit too narrow for my table if only 12.5 so I cheated just a bit... You could easily adjust this to 12.5 by starting with a 4.5 inch block. *wink* and take two inches of each length *giggle*.

This was such WiCkED fun to make... All I bought were 1/4 yard cuts of four fun fabrics.   I used a left over half yard of fabric for the backing... and a Solid Gray for the binding. 

Three together... placement can be anyway you want to set it up.... IF you need it a bit bigger... make 4.  Would fit perfect on a table that seats 6 if it was four long.  I only have a little round dining room table so it's perfect size with three. *wink*  (DISCLAIMER - If you make it bigger..you'll obviously need more fabric than mentioned above...just sayin'..*giggle*)

When I quilted this.. I couldn't resist practicing my Free Motion quilting... Each section is quilted a bit differently the pumpkins are outlined.. the eyeballs I practiced my square stitching, the orange sections I practiced the squiggle stitch and then on the bats are a giant meandering stitch.    Was a FUN quick quilt to make... Thanks for the Halloween inspired HOP!!! 

I am going to share one more halloween inspired project with you... My Sister in Law took a quilt pattern and shrunk it down for her Halloween Masterpiece.   She was inspired by my TRAINS quilt and decided it was the perfect pattern to showcase her favorite halloween fabrics.   Here's the block..it was approx 8.5 inches.....

Here's the finished project for your viewing pleasure... Didn't it turn out WiCKeDly Adorable!   

She hangs this project at her door for the holiday for the trick or treater's to enjoy. 

Just had to share *wink* 

I am off to make my WiCKeD rounds for the day! 

Thank you for stopping by and saying hi!  I appreciate everyone's visit!

Till Next Time... Have Lots of WiCKeD sewing Fun....

Crazy week no sewing time...UGGH...

Last Saturday I planned to sew until my heart was content.  But alas...My room was a mess and it took me all day to clean it up and remove a rug that had grossed me out so much that it JUST had to Go....

Then Sunday, I was schedule to work overtime....and while I was working overtime Mr Fantastic went to play soccer on our Co-Ed Soccer team...... about 3 hours into my overtime..I get a call... "Honey.. I appear to have hurt myself... I am going to take myself to the ER"....my response...after heart falls to stomach..."uh.. okay..do you want me to leave work or do you think you'll be okay"   His response "no don't leave..we need the overtime pay.... I'll call my brother.."  "Okay...let me know what you find out"...

WELL...4 hours later..while I am still working..I get a message that he's torn his ACHILLES TENDON!!! UGGH!  The swelling was SO bad that they sent him home until it went down and referred him to a specialist...He's been a goofy boot that doesn't really help at all until today.....Thank goodness we were able to see the specialist yesterday and he had a cancellation so we were able to get in today for Surgery.... We spent pretty much the entire day today at the hospital for his surgery... He made it thru all that okay... and now he's in a cast so he's able to relax his leg a bit without it hurting to the touch.... He's going to be on a LONG road to Recovery.... Thank goodness for good drugs... *giggle*

So there's an update at what's going on in my life... I now have my Nurse hat on for a few weeks...and sewing is on a side burner with the exception of a few projects that have deadlines... :(

Till Next Time...

Leafy Days are here

Wow We are HOPPING Like crazy these days with all the WONDERFUL inspirations that are shared! 

This week is the Leafs Me Happy Hop and I am very excited to share.  Madame Samm and Cherry have done a fabulous job with this hop!  I have so much inspiration that I think my personal Sponge is starting to overload!  *giggle* 

I am sharing the day with a GREAT Group of Ladies... Make sure you visit them as well as all the other hoppers that are going on.  Here's Today's Schedule....

Monday 8

Feathered Nest Studio

Grandmama's Stories

From This to That

Little Mama Hen

Quilt Monster in my Closet  <That's ME

Kathy

in stitches & seams

Buzzing and Bumbling

Nunu's Quilt World

Quilts And Dogs

Briarside Lane

Today I am sharing some of my Cherished Nature Leaf Blocks.  Love the FUN colors and the different leafs in the patterns.  This will be put together into a fun table runner for my livingroom (eventually..hehe)

I also am going to share a quilt that I've had done for awhile..It has a leaf or two in it as well.. This is a Raw Edge Applique Technique and it is SUPER SOFT!  Fun Fun Fun...   The pattern is called French Roses and there are a couple of leaves with each flower..so it qualifies..right.. *Wink* 

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!  I look forward to the next HOP!  I've got some Great EEK!  Fabric to make some fun halloween blocks...   I am off to HOP!