Monday, March 10, 2014

Asian table runner - a finish

Whoo hoo! I actually have a finish to show to you today. The pattern came from this issue of All Small from 2012.
I purchased the kit from The Village Quilter in Mt. Holly during the New Jersey Shop Hop that year. It included everything...the fabrics for the top, the backing and the batting. All I needed to add was the thread. As you can see from the picture, the sample was done in bright fabrics from Me and My Sister Designs and my kit was made up with Asian fabrics.
This was the sneak peak I posted a few days ago. The instructions state to sew all the strips together then sew the side border/backing fabric to the long sides of the strip panel. After that you add the batting and then turn the entire thing right side out to finish. (The instructions called for fusible fleece but my kit contained batting so I just basted it with basting spray.)
I looked through a few books for quilting ideas and settled on some straight lines in every other strip and a big loopy Ls in the alternating strips. I didn't mark the straight lines, I just eyeballed it. But do you see my big Oops there? The strip with the peacock feathers is the correct one to have straight lines but the next one should have been the Teal/Blue/Green one to the left of the Cream strip.
I quilted up the correct strips with the plan to rip out the wrong rows after. It was time to take a break for dinner so I decided to leave it for the moment and then come back and see if I prefer it with straight lines in every strip or not.
After cleaning up the dishes, I went back and took a good long look at it and decided which way to go. What did I choose? Well you'll have to keep reading to find out. Some top stitching down both sides of the border was next.
And here it is all finished and now residing on my kitchen table. It finished at 15" x 47", a good size for this smaller table.
As you can see, I decided to rip out the strips that I quilted by mistake and I also decided to not quilt the big loopy Ls in the alternating strips. I like it with the alternating strips unquilted. I did quilt a couple of additional long lines of stitching on the borders.
This was a fun and quick little project and one that I'll definitely make again. It would be easy to adjust to make it longer or shorter and being that it only took a few hours overall to complete, would make a great fast gift to whip up when needed.
I'm joining a few Linky Parties this week with this finish.
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16 of you added your own colorful comments:

Chiska said...

It's beautiful Michele.

Needled Mom said...

That is really beautiful!

Terry@ a quilting blog said...

Love those pretty fabrics…great table runner!!!

beaquilter said...

Love those colors, the straight lines DO look cool, BUT Penelope should have done it!! :P

Diane-crewe said...

such vibrant colours xx

Linda said...

Love it! I really like the every other strip quilting. Perfect!

Sue Daurio said...

Love the fabrics in your table runner, looks incredible!! And straight lines are perfect for this piece. Love it

Createology said...

Beautiful Table Runner. Your simple straight lines are perfect. Creative Stitching Bliss...

Kathy said...

Looks wonderful. Love the straight line quilting.

Kelly Vetch said...

So pretty! I love the colors

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

What a cute tablerunner and I like your choice on quilting! Ripping out is never fun. Thanks for sharing.
Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

Lorna McMahon said...

This sweet table runner looks so inviting on display! I love the quilting and think that sticking to the straight lines was a good choice. Wow!

Shari said...

Great table runner...love your fabric.

Sarah @ Berry Barn Designs said...

Cute and quick - love it!

Debra said...

Beautiful table runner! It looks like a great pattern! Very interesting process. Visiting from Lets Bee Social

Anonymous said...

I was thinking (as I read along) that the straight lines are so perfect.....and your choice is even better!!!!! The Asian prints are always so "rich"/elegant looking and that pattern is very nice!!! I have that issue, also, and have done that runner as a quick stash buster/gift. I bought that issue to get the pattern by Aneela Hoey (cover feature).