This is my third finish for the second quarter of the 2015 Finish Along. For my Q2 list, click
here.
This was not a difficult table runner to make but I only finished it yesterday, even though I started in February. I had trouble finding a suitable light fabric for the background, and had to wait for it.
I used
Wanda Hansen's plus quilt tutorial for making the pluses. It's interesting because most patterns I had seen use five square pieces to make a plus, but Wanda demonstrates using two squares and a rectangle - less fabric and less sewing.
For the first time I quilted with Aurifil 50 which I bought when in the UK a couple of weeks ago (my local shop sells Aurifil 50
only on small spools) using a Schmetz Quilting needle size 75/11. The quilting lines are the width of the walking foot (3/8") apart and I'm pleased with the appearance of the lines. There is a problem however: the wadding is escaping! I'm covered in white fluff! I hope that when I've washed the runner the fabric will shrink and "seal".
I tried a slightly different technique when sewing on the binding. It's machine sewn onto the front, but I followed
Lynne's (Lily's Quilts) advice, which she posted earlier this week, to make sure to let the feed dogs move the quilt through, but pull on the binding to make it really taut. The unbound piece was quite undulating along the edges but now the binding has tamed it into submission. Usually I cut binding strips at 2" which makes a nice narrow binding, but this time I was using up the 2.5" strips so sewed the binding on at 3/8" from the edge which just happens to be the minimum distance between the needle and the right hand edge of the walking foot! The binding has never gone on so easily! Right first go; no ripping required!
I'm pleased with this table runner, and will definitely be making more, and using this plus pattern for other projects.
Statistics:
Size: 44 x 14.5"
Fabric: Assorted 2.5 " batik strips from various sources
Thread: piecing: Aurifil 40 2324; quilting: Aurifil 50 2615
Wadding: cotton
Binding: leftovers of the 2.5" strips used in the top.
So hop over there to see more of this week's sewing achievements,
And at the end of June to
Happy sewing
Marly.
11 comments:
Hello Marly! This is a really pretty finish and I love how you have quilted it! Have a lovely weekend! :) x
It's a beautiful table runner... I love the pluses pattern and the batiks look stunning.
I haven't yet used aurifil as it's not sold by my local quilting shops, but I understand its the best thing for machine quilting... hopefully I'll find some to try soon :)
Oh nice batiks! :) great finish, thanks for linking up!
Nice quilting job on your lovely earthy table runner.
I finished a tablerunner this week too! Love your use of batiks. Kinda nice to get in a quick project huh!
Love your table runner Marly. The colours a lovely, and you've done a great job on the quilting.
Great work Marly. I love the colours you used and your quilting is perfect for this design. Great work.
Your table runner is beautiful! Isn't it wonderful to be able to put the binding on and have it right the first time? I have only accomplished this feat with my past couple of quilts - now binding isn't quite as daunting as it used to be :)
Lovely runner; what a great finish!
Looks great! I have been covered in wadding for the past week too. At least it all comes off with a lint brush!
I might be the only quilter on the planet who hadn't made a us quilt. Lol i Iove yours!!! Also, I may have to look at that binding technique by Lynne!! Thanks for sharing
Visiting as a member of the official 2015 Finish-Along cheerleading squad
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