A couple of years ago I made a runner for my dining table, using a pattern called "Kle kjokkenet i 60-tallsdrakt" by the Norwegian designer AnnAKa, that was featured in the magazine Quiltemagasinet Nr 4/07, and used a selection of cream and gold fabrics from my stash. I'd made a smaller runner for my coffee table, and as I had some fabric leftover, decided to make some matching placemats for my dining table... ...I used using the same backing fabric for these that I'd used for the runner that I'd made for my coffee table, and quilted these with straight rows half an inch apart, using the same metallic gold Madeira thread. I always use Schmetz metallic needles when I'm using metallic thread. It definitely pays to use the right needle with the right thread for a nice finish, and I used a plain cream Mettler quilting thread in the bobbin. Prairie points were added and secured into place with cream buttons. Single fold binding was added and hand stitched into place on the back using slip stitch... ...these place mats will be on my dining table over the Christmas holidays - Mr F will be shot if he spills any gravy or cranberry sauce on these!!
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A couple of years ago I made a runner for my dining table, using a pattern called "Kle kjokkenet i 60-tallsdrakt" by the Norwegian designer AnnAKa, that was featured in the magazine Quiltemagasinet Nr 4/07, and used a selection of cream and gold fabrics from my stash. I had some fabric leftover, and needed a smaller runner to match for my coffee table, and finally this week I've made it! This was quickly pieced together as it just used 8 blocks and 2 end borders. I've used a gold metallic Madeira thread, and quilted this very simply in straight rows. I used a plain cream Mettler quilting thread in the bobbin, to blend in with the backing fabric... ...the wadding in this runner is Pellon, a felted polyester wadding that is quite thin, and my prefered choice for table runners and place mats. I've sewn some cream coloured buttons to hold the prairie points into position. I used a single fold binding, which is hand stitched onto back of the runner, and I've added one of my labels to a corner of the runner... ...this runner has got pride of place on my coffee table this year!
At this time of year I always like to have a "Christmas" themed runner on my table. This one is the very first runner that I made with a Norwegian pattern, and started my love of Norwegian patterns! It is called "Adventsløper" and this pattern was featured in the Norwegian quilting magazine Quiltemagasinet issue 4/2008 and was designed by AnnAKa. The original runner was made in purple fabrics for Advent, however I used red and gold fabrics from my stash for a more festive theme. This runner is quilted very simply using the "stitch-in-the-ditch" method with a gold Madeira metallic thread - and a machine blanket stitch around the appliqued hearts. This is a great pattern for using up scraps of fabrics with the same colour-theme for the blocks - and I've made a start on another one using some cream and gold fabrics, but goodness only knows if I'll have time to complete it in time for Christmas 2013!!
A very very long time ago, I bought this fabric from my local quilt shop, Quilters Haven - it is a range called "Fresh Flowers" by Deb Strain for Moda. I had planned to use it to make a couple of runners and place mats, and over the Easter weekend I had the perfect opportunity to finally get this project done! The pattern I chose is by AnnAKa, and is called "Kle Kjøkkenet i 60-tallsdrakt" and was in issue 4/07 of Quiltemagasinet, a Norwegian quilting magazine..... .....these blocks made up very quickly, as I did lots and lots of chain piecing. I used a light grey Mettler fine embroidery thread shade 724 for piecing. In no time at all, I'd completed enough blocks for a runner for the dining table with 6 matching place mats and another smaller runner suitable for a coffee table..... .....I used a non-fusible pellon for the wadding. This is quite thin, and is ideal for runners and bags, where you want your project to have just a bit of structure, but not be too thick. Lots of straight rows of quilting with this gorgeous variegated lime green King Tut quilting thread, shade 927 and as a final flourish the prairie points are embellished with these bright yellow buttons..... ....quilted, bound and a couple of my "quiltystuff" labels machined into place on the back of the two runners (I didn't bother to sew them on all the place mats!)..... .....drum roll please - finished!! As you can see, I've now got a pair of very smart runner! These bright colours are perfect for the Spring and Summer and would definitely cheer up any dining room and lounge! Do you remember that I stitched this during the July 2012 FNSI? The pattern is by AnnaKa, called "Sommerstitchery" and was in the Norwegian quilting magazine "Quiltmagasinet" issue 02/2012. I had already pieced the top of the runner in the summer, and I really needed to get this project finished, as it is a gift for Christmas..... .....the applique is set into the runner using the reverse applique method, and then I layered the top with pellon non-fusible wadding and a piece of Lynette Anderson's Secret Garden fabric for the backing. I marked the diagonal quilting design with a Clover Hera marker..... .....and quilted the runner using a brown Mettler quilting thread shade 712. I used the same thread for the top and in the bobbin too. As you can see in the picture, I always use a walking foot for quilting..... .....well here is the completed runner. Now it is finished it looks really beautiful. As usual I have stitched one of my labels to the back, and used a lilac fabric from the same collection for the binding.I have enjoyed sewing with these fabrics so much - the fabric range is "Secret Garden" by the wonderful Lynette Anderson, for Lecien..... .....you may remember last year Lynette sent me some of her beautiful fabrics to play with! Was I giddy? Yes. Did I have fun playing with them? Oh yes yes yes! I have made SO many projects with this fabric - thank you very very much Lynette !! And remember I said this is a gift for Christmas? Well sorry - can't spill the beans who will receive it incase the person this is for is reading my blog!! Last night was July FNSI - and as usual I had the perfect project in mind! In the previous issue of the Norwegian quilting magazine "Quiltemagasinet", there was an AnnAKa pattern for a table runner using "Secret Garden" fabric, by Lynette Anderson for Lecien. If you remember, back in November 2011, Lynette very kindly sent me some of this beautiful fabric to play with! I had sent some of it to my friend Eva, and I have made several runners and LOTS of bags with this fabric and just have a little bit left - so I set too with planning and cutting and stitching away my Friday night. This Lecien fabric sews together so well - and these muted shades are a pleasent change from the brights that I normally opt for. The design is called "Sommerstitchery", unfortunately we've not had much of a summer yet, due to so much rain! Anyway, once the runner was sewn together..... .....then it was time to get busy with the stitchery. I taped both the pattern and the fabric onto the window using masking tape, and then I traced the design using a pigma pen. This floral design was stitched with a variegated thread, DMC shade 53. I didn't get time to finish the runner, but I'm really pleased with my progress so far. Maybe I'll get this finished at next month's FNSI!! WARNING!!! here follows a series of pictures of fabulous quilting magazines, Norwegian patterns (for runners and placemats and quilts and bags and cushions) and some absolutely-to-die-for fabrics. If you love quilting, you'll be green with envy - if you're Mr F you might have to lay down in a dark room for a few hours - anyway, let's get the party started..... .....firstly, the Christmas in July edition of my favourite Australian quilting magazine, Homepun, from The Fat Quarters based in Northumberland, full of projects that I can't wait to get started on, and Quiltemagasinet, a Norwegian magazine that I subscribe to, and is sent to me from my friend Hanne..... .....then this arrived in the post - a beautiful kit from Elisabeth at Lapp-Elise to make an AnnAKa pattern "Sommerblomster" (Summer Flowers) and in a parcel from Hanne, there's yet another AnnAKa pattern "Jordbærdrøm" (this one translates to Strawberry Dream) and will make a bag, placemats and potholders, and both patterns use a mixture of piecing and applique..... .....yes yes yes, there's yet another AnnaKa pattern, "Enkel sommerløper" (Simple Summer runner) together with all the fabric to make a tablerunner - this pattern also involves piecing, applique and stichery - Hanne I'm going to be VERY busy hehe!..... .....this beautiful pack of fabric came with the AnnAKa pattern "Britt-Lisa`s Blomsterkurver" (Britt-Lisa's Flower Baskets) and is a pattern for a tablerunner with matching cushions, again using piecing, applique and stitchery. These colours and fabrics are so beautiful - Hanne puts the most wonderful kits together.... .....and finally, some Myquilt patterns - they are a bit more difficult, and I will probably need help from my Norwegian friends Eva and Hanne to help me translate these!! My friend Hanne left me a comment, saying that she wanted to see the whole runner - so here it is - I really liked this pattern - as I liked these hearts so much, I might have to do another runner with appliqued hearts, the truely utterly gorgeous "Blå visdomsord" Inspirasjonsmodell (translated into English means Words of Wisdom - inspired model) next - it has a mixture of applique and stitchery, and the kit that Hanne sent to me(yes I know - ANOTHER kit) is absolutely beautiful :) First of all I quilted around each centre 4-patch..... .....then I was let loose on the runner with lots of "wiggly-woo" free motion quilting..... .....the borders were finished much more simply - (my nerves couldn't cope with any more "wiggly-woo") and here it is, quilted, bound and on my dining table!! Hanne, these fabrics look great - your kits are wonderful!! Well I made a start on the Sommerhjerter tablerunner at the weekend - lots of little black and white 4-patch centre blocks surrounded by a grey border - these fabrics are lovely to sew with..... .....then I made a template to use as a guide for the stichery - lots of backstitch and lazy-daisy flowers..... .....and finally these blocks are sewn together with the borders - now I've just got to practise my free-motion quilting before I get this runner completed. |
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