Happy Monday! I hope the cool down that is coming today in the States affects you and you’ll have a much more comfortable day today. I know I’m looking forward to it!
Last week I told you I was going to share pics of the quilt top given to me by my M-I-L and pieced by my hubby’s grandmother. I’m still going to do that, just not today. I thought I would be able to finish the binding but it’s still not done. So before I show it I want to get that binding on. Hopefully that happens in the next few days. So hang in there – it’s coming. I promise!
One of the special projects I was privileged to quilt last week was Cindy’s beautiful table runner:

She made this Hunter Star table runner in a class held in March during a local quilt show and asked me to quilt it. Cindy wanted a ‘special touch’ so that’s what I tried to give her.

Cindy asked for gold thread. I didn’t have the right color in Glide or Magnifico, but Isacord to the rescue! It’s just gold enough to show off, but not so bright it screams ‘look at me’. I hate when thread screams at me…. LOL
I like using Isacord. It’s strong enough to stand up to the high speed of the longarm, doesn’t shred, and I never have tension issues with it. I would love to say the same about Glide but can’t. I like Glide but sometimes have problems using it.
I used a ruler from The Quilted Pineapple to create the curved crosshatch in the light triangles, stitched dot-to-dot in the green triangles, and then added easy continuous curves in the stars. On this project, the border is what I struggled with the most. I knew piano keys would look good, but how to work around the odd shape of the ends? This is what I came up with and I’m pretty happy with how it looks:

Cindy added a pretty gold binding, which was just perfection. I don’t have a pic of that.
I did manage some personal sewing this week and, wait for it, it’s another new project! I know, I know! You’re saying “Stop Beth – you don’t NEED another new project!” And I’m saying “I know, you’re right, but I couldn’t help myself” And you’re saying “I totally understand – I’m the same way” And then we end up patting each other’s shoulder in a “we’re in this together” kind of way. Whew! Thanks for understanding….
Anyway. I’m taking a class at the local quilt shop. I’m hoping that by taking class I’ll be forced to keep up. Because I wouldn’t want to be embarrassed in front of a group of friends, right? The sample quilt was made in gray, black, and gold but I chose a totally different path:

See all that luscious Tula Pink fabric? With a touch of Alison Glass? Oh yeah! The block above is being called Inner Block 1 in the quilt. And here is the square in a square blocks we had to make:

This is going to be a fun one to put together and I’m looking forward to the next class on August 3rd. I’m especially excited that I was able to get ALL my blocks made during class and didn’t leave with any homework! If I can keep that up, I might be able to finish my quilt along with everyone else. 🙂
So that’s what I’m up to in my sewing room. How about you? What are you working on that has you excited to be in your sewing space? You can share here for Main Crush Monday – link up any blog post, Instagram or Flickr pic. Here’s how:
The table runner is stunning! Love the fabrics in your newest project too! Good luck on keeping up in class. I’ve given up on that, I just sew slowly.
Always nice to have understanding friends, or codependents. Love the way you quilted this! I am glad you found a quiet gold thread!
Yes, you and I would have that conversation, exactly like that. So yes, you should start a new project! Love that purple Tula fabric; I was drooling over that in a quilt shop today. I didn’t buy any, but was definitely thinking on it! The table runner is so pretty!
Pretty!! Great quilting design!
Hahaha – great discussion between yourself and the reader! Hilarious. Beth, your quilting on the table runner is outstanding. WOW!
we all end up with too many projects – we just can’t seem to help ourselves can we
We are all in the same boat you are in with new projects in one way or the other!! The quilting on the runner is stellar!! I get mesmerized by quilting and how it brings a project to life!
I’m surprised to hear you have trouble sometimes with Glide, since that is my go-to and it has never given me an ounce of trouble. I was going to recommend the Glide color “Cleopatra” for times you want a golden look.
After all that quilting for others, you have our permission, guilt-free, to start your own new project! Great to have a class to keep you on a schedule to the finish line.
Beth, you were totally right starting that beautiful new quilt. It’s going to be amazing in those fabrics. Nice job quilting the runner, too!
Your new project is going to be cheerful.
I so have to get myself some rulers. The only thing I have is a gam-guide and a mini gam-guide i think it’s called.
Well, I dug out, photographed and posted my 2 vintage quilts today. Thank you for the inspiration to do so.
Wow — your quilting transforms the look of that runner! I don’t make too many runners myself (although I’ve committed to making a bajillion Christmas ones this year) and I always take a simpler approach on the quilting. This project has be rethinking my strategy! Have fun at your class!
Hi Beth! Oh, we (are all) definitely the same way. I can’t even confess to the new projects I have picked up the fabric for. Yup, I totally agree and LOVE the piano keys for the border. And how you tapered the point and really enhanced the shape of it is just perfect. I’m PINing it. It seems like I say that every week, but your work deserves to be out there – in Pinterest land – for everyone to see. {{Hugs}} Blessed relief is here this morning! It.is.beautiful. ~smile~ Roseanne