This week, I've been busily stitching up my a new table runner, all made in autumnal colours. With my favourite season on a few days away, I was channelling the cooler weather with this project.
This month, Aurifil Artisans were challenged to create a project with their favourite thread weight. As you probably already know, I'm a huge fan of the Aurifil 12 wt cotton thread for hand quilting. What I love more than just doing the hand quilting, is having the combination of machine quilting with 50wt thread and then adding the 12 wt in between the machine stitched lines.
I had received a bag of scrap fabrics and had these solids of homespun fabric. It's a little bit course with a looser weave than the solid fabrics which I generally tend to use. I think the lady who gave away the scraps used to use these fabrics for linings. Anyhoo, I chose a palette of about 6 different colours and cut as many 2.5" x 4.5" rectangles from them as I could.
Sewn together, these became 4.5" squares. They were pressed and then arranged in rows of 4 (across) until I used up all of the squares. Each block alternates vertically and horizontally within the rows.
It was then sandwiched with batting and some ugly backing - you know those fabrics you once bought and which now make you wonder "What was I thinking?"
I chose some golden 50wt thread (colour #2920) and began quilting some freehand curved lines. Some echoed the previous lines, some didn't. I used my sewing machine foot as a rough guide... very rough guide.
Once the top was quilted, I could have stopped there, but what fun is that?
More is more, right?
I added hand quilting in between the machine stitched rows and I absolutely love the effect. Those quilty dimples make me very happy. I used almost a whole spool of the 12wt thread (colour #2318) to quilt this. It was a brand new one, still wrapped in plastic, when I started.
The table runner now sits on my coffee table, sending autumn vibes out into the room. Now, if only mother nature can pay attention and give us nice early start to the cooler weather.
I love the texture created by the two different quilting techniques and the movement created by the curved quilting lines. That backing fabric looks gorgeous to me! xx
ReplyDeleteBeautiful finish and I love the quilting. very effective. I'm not ready for Autumn yet, long live summer.
ReplyDeleteYour autumn quilt is lovely! I would love to run my fingertips across the quilting to feel the texture. Happy stitching!
ReplyDeleteFantastic Autumn table runner. Great quilting.
ReplyDeleteI like the texture you have gotten on this piece and quilting it curves really gives it a nice look. And yes use the "what was I thinking of" fabric for backs sometimes too
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh - I LOVE how your quilting added such dimension and texture to this piece!! and the fall colors are gorgeous!!! Heres to hoping you cool down, and we start a *little* warm up!!
ReplyDeleteIts so lovely... the quilting really makes it shine...
ReplyDeleteHugz
I have to laugh as I am encased in ice here. Longing for spring. The textures of the table runner are magnificent.
ReplyDeleteGreat use for that backing fabric. I sometimes find that when I use mine in a similar way, my feelings for it change and I develop a fondness, as if its usefulness improves it somehow, or my love of the project rubs off on it.
ReplyDeleteI love how you combine machine and hand quilting. A lovely pattern.
ReplyDeleteThis is so pretty! Your hand quilting is so neat. I've been thinking of combining both machine and hand quilting. Might give it a try in my next project. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIncredible scrappy runner, Anorina!! The "double" quilting really made it something extra special. Nearly an entire spool of thread? Incredible!!
ReplyDeleteI love this SO much! YES... more is more when it comes to hand stitching! What a terrific finish!
ReplyDeleteThis is a gorgeous table runner! I love everything about it - especially the quilting. I will try this some day!
ReplyDeletethat is soo beautiful and you continue to amaze me how you come up with new and interesting ideas and implement them without any fuss...i have used 12 wt and i like it as well...
ReplyDeleteSorry I thought that I had already left a comment... must have gotten distracted.
ReplyDeleteLovely work Anorina & I LoVe the dimple effect...it looks GREAT... xox