On Blitzen

As Christmas gifts this past year, I made two table runners using the patchwork table runner tutorial by s.o.t.a.k handmade. Actually, the second one was a variation, using 2 1/2" squares from a mini charm pack, where Svetlana's tutorial called for 2" squares. And the setting was slightly different

While making both of these runners, I was definitely wishing I had time to make one for myself too, but well, time just didn't allow. SO when a mini charm pack of basicgrey's blitzen was discovered in my stocking on Christmas morning, I knew just what I wanted to do with it!

So again I used the larger squares, adjusting the other measurements as needed. All these tweaks make a difference of course. Where the original runner was 41" long, the second was 46", and this newest one, 50".

But I'm fine with that. As a background, I again used Kaufman's Essex (of course!); backing was from stash fabrics, Sandy Gervais' Reindeer Games pieced with basicgrey's pb&j "Jelly".

For quilting, I got out every white and beige I had - #2000 (beige), #2021 (natural white), #2024 (white), #2310 (light beige), #2314 (medium beige), #2326 (tan) - and I have plenty thanks to the Aurifil Basics Collection I won last year on Giveaway Day. {Boy, have I enjoyed that box!}

And from there I straight-line quilted across the width at irregular intervals, changing out the threads whenever I felt like it. Towards each end, I matchstick-quilted a 2" section just for some added detail.

Bound in more Essex (which worked very nice by the way), I was compelled to wash and dry the runner immediately to see how that linen/cotton mix crinkled up. And I wasn't disappointed.

This project is on my 2014 FAL Q1 list. All credit for the finished project photos goes to hubby. Thanks Joe.