Day 5 - the last steps for you to see!
Yesterday my post ended by showing you the heart fabric I intended using for the border. I chose to cut the fabric so that the sweet button hearts design on it would run horizontally...
This is because I have chosen the grey stripe fabric as the binding fabric, and I wanted the two to contrast with each other - horizontal hearts and vertical stripes...
But before we get to the actual binding, I needed to sandwich the top of the table runner with fusible wadding and some backing fabric.
As table runners get a lot of use, and therefore regular machine washing, I have used a medium weight fusible Pellon as the wadding. I only use cotton wadding for quilts.
With only fat quarters of this fabric line (Nice People, Nice Things) I didn't have a long enough piece to back the table runner. Rather than sewing two different fat quarters together, creating a seam in the back, I chose to use some pink floral fabric I had on hand which worked well with the colours in the pieced top.
I spray basted the backing fabric behind the Pellon. I love spray baste! It's a dream, but remember you only need a light spray over the back of your wadding, and after laying the backing fabric over it a quick press with a warm dry iron will seal it enough for the next step - quilting!
I did a fairly simple quilting of the table runner; outlining around the blocks and pieced sections..
I've used two different thread colours across the top of my quilted area - pink in some areas, and pale turquoise in others - but the back was different. I used just a pale pink in my bobbin, to blend nicely into the pink floral backing fabric... 
Whilst I was doing the machine quilting and preparing the binding I listened to the BBC Book Club's podcast of the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen's 'Pride & Prejudice' on my iPad. I am a Jane Austen fan from way back and this podcast was fabulous - informative and a bit funny too.
You can listen to it on your computer too; go HERE.
Next step was to attach the binding strip...
Once the binding was sew on, I trimmed the excess Pellon and backing fabric away...
....and pressed the binding away from the table runner top for a nicer finish when folded to the back.
The binding was turned to the back and slip stitched down with a thread that matched the binding...
And that, my friends, is a wrap!
One new Elefantz design from an idea to a finished pattern...
Though I shared this over five days, the process took me just two days.
I hope you enjoyed this behind the scenes look at the why's and wherefore's of my design process, and maybe I've encouraged you to let your own ideas travel from a thought to a finished project!
If you like Helen Stubbings new line of fabric, 'Nice People, Nice Things', ask your local quilt store if they'll be stocking it, and if not, give 'google' a try - it's wonderful for finding things locally!
My "Bee Happy" table runner pattern will be in Australian Patchwork & Stitching magazine near the end of the year. I'll let you know when it's available.
Would you like to make one of my favourite table runner patterns?
It's been a while since I've had this pattern back on the shelves, but when I ironed it today to use on my dining table I thought, "It's too pretty not to be available to others"...
My 'Oopsie Daisy' table runner is 11" x 41" and is perfect for using up leftover jelly roll strips, and a couple of charm squares!
The applique is pretty sweet too, and no matter what side of the table you sit on you have a mug of pretty oopsie daisies to smile at you...
The pattern is HERE in my shop now as an instant PDF download.
It is Friday morning where I am in Far North Queensland, and with spring just three weeks away I'm up to my ears in a complete spring clean and re-organisation of my sewing room/creative space while Mr E is away. I started at 4.30am on Wednesday and will have it finished today by lunch - which is just as well because Mr E flies home tonight!
I've even gone through every button bag, all my fabric, my big plastic tub of lace and ribbons, all my unused skeins of thread, as well as built two 4-shelf bookcases (from flat packs) that fit inside the built-in wardrobe away from the light to re-house my fabric. When I began this spring clean I discovered some folded fabrics had fade lines from the bright tropical sun that creeps in even when the shades are drawn! Now they are safe. \o/
I love spring cleaning. It blows out the cobwebs in my mind and refreshes my soul.
What about you? Do you enjoy a good spring clean too?
hugs
Jenny
xx
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