Saturday, March 26, 2011


I pieced my quilted table runner today! I used spray adhesive to attach the batting to the backing and then worked on a diagonal, sewing each strip at a 45 degree angle, one on top of the previous row, iron, repeat. I cut the batting incorrectly a few times but it worked out ok in the end. This is my first attempt at the quilting portion.



I started with the four colors, creating long strips that I sewed together in rows then cut them horizontally which made new rows with all the colors attached. A couple of rows had to be slightly reconfigured to piece the beginning squares to the end instead.


Then you attach the batting to the backing and sew away. You start out with backing that is 24 X 42 inches but it sizes down to what you see here. Due to the initial size, it was cumbersome to work with on my machine but worked out pretty well. Again, it may not be perfect but I learned how to do it and that was the goal.

Now I have to make and attach the binding. I'll have to do something about coordinating place mats too. The yellow is not available but I can still find the other colors.

I get a lot accomplished when it snows unexpectedly and our rooftop satellite is so packed with snow it can't get a signal!

4 comments:

Catawissa Gazetteer said...

It looks great, too. I'm amazed at how far you've come since that night just a few months ago when you were crying and saying that you couldn't do this, that it was impossible and that you just wanted to quit.

Good job!

me said...

It is really beautiful Kathy! I call the dark red 'burgundy' and it goes so well with the yellow. I wouldn't be able to 'think' any pattern that pretty, if that makes any sense? I can appreciate other's talentn though.

You have a gift there.
You could make a massive sofa throw next? Listen to me, giving you loads of work, it's all I can do to sew a button on a shirt these days haha (although I do like to sew, once I get started)!

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

Tom, Thank you. I wouldn't have been able to get through this without your squaring off tutorials using my grids.

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

Shadowlands: you can do this. I would not have tried if it wasn't for the block of the month. All you have to make is a 12 inch square every 30 days. A good way to start. Plus understand how to use the rulers, which they would teach you, and once you "get it," it's easy. You should try a class if you like to sew. Tom helped me pick out material. He has a good eye for design although he tends to lean towards the Mexican restaurant colors. I have to temper him in that aspect.