Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Floral runner and napkins

Here I go again with another table runner.  I know.  What's with all these pot holders and table runners?  I seem to be stuck in the kitchen.  I guess these kinds of projects are fast and fun, so they appeal to me after finishing a quilt.  Especially since I also started a lace weight scarf with an  F hook, and I need to take a break from it every once in a while so my eyes can uncross.  But that's another post.

 I wanted to practice some free motion quilting on something small, before tackling the three big unfinished quilts hanging in the closet.

After struggling with my sewing machine, ( I'm talking the last 3 years people!) I finally was able to produce decent free motion quilting without thread tension problems.  The ladies at my local quilt shop were very helpful, and it appears there was a tiny little secret about the way my machine is threaded, which makes all the difference.  Of course the secret is not included in the owners manual.  Who knew?
Anyway, now I can try something besides straight lines with my walking foot and have a little more fun!
I didn't use a pattern for the table runner, just added strips at each end of the floral piece.  I love the animal print used for the binding and the ties on the napkins.  I'm not a big fan of animal prints, but I think a little touch of it can be interesting.  The napkins were made with buffet style eating, or picnics in mind.  It's basically a napkin with a pocket and ties. I just started with an 11 inch square of material and went from there.  I'd like to have more of these for Thanksgiving, but I would need to make like 20 of them.  Not sure if I want to go there.
The utensils are placed in the pocket and wrapped up like a burrito, and makes it easy to carry or pack up in a picnic basket.
And that's it.  I'm tired.  I just got home from a concert with my mom.   We went to see a one man performance of Franc D'Ambrosio.  I saw him play the Phantom years ago when Phantom of the Opera came to San Francisco.  He also played in the movie Godfather III as Al Pacino's opera singing son, and sang the title song for the movie.  It was a great show, and he sang a lot of Broadway favorites from shows like "Chicago, Brigadoon, and "Les Miserables", and of course Phantom of the Opera.  I'm going to bed tonight with some great music in my head, and a smile on my face.

I'm also linking up to Tuesday at the Table!

8 comments:

  1. Wow Lynne, Thats some centre piece. I really like the fabrics. And I absolutly love the animal print with it. Its really cool!

    Kate xxx

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  2. What a brilliant idea with the napkin pocket. These would certainly be great for a picnic. Well done with the freestyle quilting. I'm useless at it. I remember doing a workshop years ago and the teacher made it look as easy as a hot knife through butter. I only wish I could say my attempts were as effortless. Philippa x

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  3. Love the runner and the napkins! They seem to be the perfect way to practice your free-motion quilting (which I have not yet attempted) and they turned out beautifully!

    xo
    Claudia

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  4. I love your napkin idea, Lynne! That is just what I need for my kids. Thanks for sharing this!

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  5. I love the way you make this look so easy! The napkins are great, with the cutlery pocket, what a good idea. I'm almost dribbling over that pink bowl you have on the table!
    Anyway, I have given you a blog award, I don't know if you do awards but if you do it's there if you don't, no problem.
    Happy Tuesday!

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  6. Oh this is a great post for Tuesday at the Table! LOVE your table runner & that you just pieced it together - nice fabrics!! And yay for being able to fmq! Good luck practising and perfecting. Lastly - love the napkins - what a great idea, and really, so simple! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. i love the fabrics you made the runner out of. and the napkins are a great idea, i have never seen anything like it before. my sewing machine is old but i would love to have a new one that i can do free motion sewing on. i am glad you were able to get yours figured out...
    laura :)

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  8. You are just too clever! I love your table - it looks absolutely gorgeous!! I just got my sewing machine back from the repairer, so I will get it out today and have a go at making something for my table now.

    Have a fab week hon,
    Leah
    x

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You guys are awesome! Thank you for the comments!