Tag: Christmas table runner pattern

JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS!!!

This celebratory table runner can be made for any season–Christmas, Hanukkah, wedding, anniversary. The pattern is an easy quilt-as-you go technique and has 4 lengths. Add ribbons and bows for embellishment. Christensen Creations cc2408

Have you done your shopping? No matter. You can still wrap gifts, which is fun, right? Well, I’ve put them right onto your table. Use any 8 fat quarters (or scraps or “fat fifths” from www.thefabrichut.com) and 4-5 spools of ribbons, quilt-as-you-go, and PRESTO! The cutest table runner!

“Gift Boxes Table Runner” by LJ Christensen

These are bright colors, but clearly, you can choose your own and decorate perfectly to match your decor. Or choose wedding colors or maybe Hanukkah or an anniversary celebration?

“Glitzy Gifts” is a traditional quilt construction, but the new pattern is…

Quilt-as-You Go!!! I purposely designed the blocks to line up in vertical lines so that you sew through the edge of the block, the block underneath, the batting and the back at one time. Then fold, press. Sew on next block and fold again.

Not only does it sew up quickly, but I recommend fusible fleece to speed it up even more–virtually NO pinning. Then I use narrow fusible paper-backed tape (such as Heat and Bond) or you can cut slivers of fusible yardage to tack down the ribbons. Later you edge-stitch them through all layers, adding a little more quilting, and stitch right through the knots to attach the bows. How’s that for fast and easy?

As usual, you bind the edges, but I include the instructions for that, too.

Personally, I just wrap my binding from the back and top-stitch it, clip it with Wonder Clips (best buy ever from www.thefabrichut.com),, but you can do as you please. If you go to www.thefabrichut.com, check out their price on superb titanium rotary cutting blades–I use them all the time.

Also, if you join thefabrichut.com free Facebook quilting group (quilters from all over the world), you can look for my latest video–a 55-min sewalong that’s recorded—on THIS PATTERN and all my little tips. I think you’ll like the group–lots of fun and discussion and photos of stunning quilts.

For once, I’m actually ahead of the curve for a Christmas project! And if you’re near Wetumpka, come to The Kelly Art Gallery in downtown during our huge Dickens Christmas celebration this weekend….and sales through NEXT weekend for the Christmas parade as well. I’ll have this runner out for sale! Hurry! It’s going out tonight for the Kelly members-only Sneak Preview shopping night!

Onward to Christmas shopping. I’m still not done. Are you?? L

The year end nears;…

it’s time to switch gears! Yes, indeed, with frostbite nipping at our toes this past weekend, even those of us in Alabama got the message that winter has arrived, and it’s almost Christmas. While it may be too late to get a full Christmas quilt done, you CAN easily finish this quick runner. Made like the “Maple Sugar” I published a couple weeks ago, it’s just 1/2 yard of fabric with pieced ends added, which lengthens it quite a bit. I used simple squares and half-square triangles to form simple holly and old-fashioned yoyos for 3D berries. Not difficult! Add an autumn print backing to make it reversible!

“Holly Berries Table Runner” by LJ Christensen This sample was shortened–this easily can be 65″-75″.

I’m beginning to feel the pressure to get my Christmas gifts finished–time is flying, and I’m STILL making masks. For goodness sakes, I never dreamed we’d still be wearing masks this season! I definitely need Plan A, B, and C in case I run out of time, and I need every shortcut I can find.

One shortcut I use when making masks is THE “Shortcut” by June Tailor. It’s a plastic template about 14-15″ square with 12″ cuts in it every half inch. You can line it up and cut both sides of a block, then rotate it and cut the other two sides.

For strips, I prefer a 24″ ruler, but when I have to cut them into squares, I stack up several strips, line up the Shortcut and slice, slice slice. That truly saves time. I usually cut 4-6 layers and then stack them in dozens, a convenient multiple of four (or six). If I’m using the squares right away, I just leave them in stacks, but if I have to leave, I use a long, sharp flower pin to hold each dozen.

When making half-square triangles, I mark all of the diagonals at one time, either with a heat-erasable Frixion pen, or if that won’t show against a dark fabric, I fold them diagonally and press for a seam line. I chain-stitch them, trim and press to get them all ready. Then it’s anchors away! and time to simply piece.