Saturday, December 8

*christmas table runners to give

Each year I pack up our fall decor and put it away in order to pull out the Christmas boxes.  We have three or four different fall table runners for the various tables/side tables throughout our house. Once  I pack up the fall decor the tables look naked!  I give some thought to quilting some runners each year about the same time - first of December when I put away the fall runners. It hasn't happened yet.  Sigh.

When talking to my BFF the other day we both realized that we had tons of fall runners and decor but no winter/Christmas table runners.  Funny thing is, that we both love autumn and all that season holds We are usually together at some point during that season, quilting.  Thus one of the reasons we both have numerous fall runners.
 

With this info in my arsenal, I set out to make this situation remedied!  I went shopping through my wonderful stash of fabrics to find just the right shades of greens and reds to make some Christmas runners.  My dear friends birthday is coming up and I am thrilled to be making these for her.  Her love language is not gifts, not at all. Her love language is quality time, so when she gets them this week, it is my desire that she will just imagine that she and I were working alongside each other sewing away when these were made.  I know she will love them just the same. 




The first one up was to fit a round dinner table.  I gave a quick look through several quilting magazines, but was not able to come up with a pattern.  Then I remembered that I had bought the Nifty Notions, Cut for the Cure ruler set a few years ago which had several wedge rulers. I pulled out my 22.5 Wedge ruler and cut 16 slices out of my chosen fabrics.  This ruler is so versatile (as most are of course) that I could choose how big I wanted the circle to end up being by the size of the wedge I cut.   I am so thrilled with this table topper that will fit nicely on top of my BFF's dining room table there at Hawks Nest.







In my BFF's home they have a large oak sofa table that also needs dressing up for the season.  I had to put in a secret text to her youngest daughter and have her measure the length of this table as well as one other one.  The sofa table has rounded ends and I thought I could  use the same ruler (cutting a smaller size) and make half circles to connect to a rectangular length that would fit the measurement of the table.  It worked out perfectly!  I love it. I did machine applique the words "Merry Christmas" onto the center of the runner. It was a bit difficult to get the two words lined up, but it is good enough.   Binding  on all three of these was really fun and easy.




The last runner to be made was for the cute little chunky oak table that sits in the beautiful foyer of their home.   I continued using the same fabrics so the runners have some kind of continuity throughout their house. I am even sending her the left over fabric just in case she wants to whip up something else.  For this one, I simply sewed strips of fabric together, sliced it up, sewed it back together and then I added a border.  Again the binding was fun and easy.

Once again, all of these fabrics were pulled from my existing supply of fabrics from the shelves.  For backing I chose some unattractive fabric that would have likely never gotten used for anything else but backing on a runner of some sort.  The only time you will see the back is putting out time and putting away time.  I can't wait to hear what she thinks about them!



11 comments:

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    1. Thanks Adam. It was alot of fun. I enjoy sewing and all the more when it is for someone special! Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. They're gorgeous and I'm sure your friend will be thrilled!

    I'm hoping to tackle the art of quilting once I'm out west. I should have plenty of time on my hands to figure it out or take a class or two on it.

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    1. Thanks! She did love getting them in the mail! You should take a class and learn some basics from a traditional quilting teacher. Then you will be ready. Of course you could learn from youtube vids as well or search the new on beginning quilting. Either way, I can hardly wait to see some of your creations!

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  3. I love your giftedness and your thoughtfulness. Im sure she will be delighted!!~Trina

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    1. Thanks Trina! She received them in yesterday's mail.. she loves them! I was sure she would. I mean, they could have been half done, crazy half sewing, or taped together.. she would have loved them! Hugs!

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  4. What a thoughtful friend you are, Lynette! Beautiful choice of colors!

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  5. Really beautiful pieces Lynnie! I'm sure her birthday and holidays have been made merrier by these!

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  6. I just had to put in my 2 cents or dollars worth! I LOVED them and I could picture us working on them together. I am a strange friend in that I have conversations all the time in my head with my BFF (like all the time) actually so much so that sometimes I forget, oops time to call that conversation was one sided! LOL I adore the maker, she is talented, kind hearted, giving, and true! She is always kind & true! I loved that she blogged about this and I nearly cried when I saw her hands on the fabric near the machine. Oh, how I miss her. If we could only sew a teleportation device ; Abundant thanks in my heart for the gift of Lynette & Happy Birthday Today Lynette.....Huggles Your FranZiska

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  7. They are just adorable. I still need to make some runners for myself, but my table still sits bare:) Hopefully for next year!

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  8. I love that beautiful and stunning table runner. It looks so festive with its colors and patterns. Thanks for sharing.

    Merry Christmas Greetings from
    Marilyn @ Christmas table decorations

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I enjoy your comments. Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts!