Next up in the Patterns to Try series is the Modern Madras Table Runner pattern by Jennifer Sampou @jennifersampou. The pattern is actually designed to use and feature Jennifer's beautiful SKY Ombré, and that would have been super nice to try. But I wanted to use fabric from my stash, and had a Ruby Star Society warp & weft charm pack that I though would be a nice option.
I had gotten it off the free table at guild meeting a couple of months ago, and it was perfect for fall. Mine is Moonglow, a woven collection by Alexia Marcelle Abegg @alexiamarcelleabegg. The only issue - if there even really was one - was that I'd be using 5" squares rather than the 6" squares suggested in the pattern. I really thought that would still be fine, and set to work arranging the squares.
It took me a while to choose an orientation I liked, and finally just laid them out as they were stacked in the charm pack. I needed to save out six squares for the 'sashing' and chose a couple of solids plus there were two prints that had a bonus square, so I used those too.
I used a layer of Quilters Dream Select batting for my quilt sandwich. Jennifer's pattern suggested an envelope-style finish rather than quilt binding, so I decided to do that for something different. For the backing, I used a Diamond Textiles Textured Woven that I have no idea where it came from. But I had enough, it coordinated well with several of the fabrics on the front, and I think the color is Pink Ginger. Whatever, I'm glad I had something with a similar weight and texture to the warp & wefts. With the woven fabrics and that batt, the quilt sandwich was pretty thin, and easy to turn and press.
Rather than matchstick quilt the length of my runner, as suggested, I stitched lines across the runner, every three or four stitches wide. I purposely went varying distances from the edge to give an off-set look I really like.
I used Aurifil 40wt 6722 [Sea Biscuit] since there was such a color-variety amongst the fabrics, and I'm happy with that choice. With using the charm pack, my runner ended up measuring 14" x 54".
I'm super happy with the end result, and would consider doing something like this again. It's relatively quick and easy, and with the mix of fabrics and colors (and texture!), it just makes me smile.
That turned out fantastic! I've never done an envelope style finish, but it looks easy enough. Love the look of it on your table!
ReplyDeleteHow pretty this is! This must be my favorite of all you've made! It is remarkable the effects possible with just rectangles and color and texture choices.
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol! I think the fabric just does it, right? But I agree, the mix of fabric, texture, and quilting elevated everything.
DeleteGorgeous!! I love that quilting -- the continuous line seems like WAY more fun than repositioning to the same edge of the piece so that you're heading in the same direction each time. And the irregular unpredictable length of the lines, I feel like "adds interest" is an overused phrase but it's what I want to say! Does "envelope" mean you sewed right sides together, left a hole for turning, and then turned it right side out and stitched the hole closed? Or a different thing?
ReplyDeleteThank you! I was surprised how well the continuous line worked! No bunching at all. I think the texture of the quilt sandwich just helped. Thanks RE: the 'adds interest' - I totally agree. haha. And yes about 'envelope!' That's what she called it, so I repeated it. In this case, one complete end of the runner was left unstitched. I turned through that, and then began the quilting by stitching that end closed....then just kept going!
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