Alternate title: How to completely fail at a super simple project.
This was an exercise in frustration. A few months back I pinned a table runner that I thought would look great on my Dad’s dining room table. His house is decorated in shades of white, greys and blues and he has a huge table that can fit up to 20 comfortably when the ends are extended. Since finding long enough table cloths is problematic I wanted to make a nice big table runner for it using the picture as inspiration.
I started picking up scraps of cream and grey fabric, which aren’t that easy to find. I was doing a search on Etsy and came across a charm pack of the Moda Modern Backgrounds More Paper fabric line and the colors were perfect. I ended up using about 32 of the charm squares and supplemented with the other fabrics I had picked up. I just love that little bee print and the ditsy white flowers on the grey background.
The finished runner measures 21″ x 74″. I used 5 charm squares for the short ends and 16 for the long sides. The center fabric is Outer Space from the Thrive fabric collection from Moda. I thought it was a good homage to the Shashiko design of the inspiration piece.
Slight segue but isn’t that bobbin holder adorable? I found it at an antique shop a few years ago. I think it even came with a few bobbins of thread. I love the starburst on the top.
First I sewed the squares for the long side together and then did the short sides. So far so good. Then I calculated the size my center fabric needed to be. My first issue was my ruler slipped while I was cutting it so it wasn’t a perfect straight edge. I had to be aware of this as I was sewing. How do you experienced sew-ers cut large pieces of fabric when you want the edges to be really straight and precise? The largest mat I have is 21″ x 24″. The longest ruler I have is 24″. I ended up folding the piece and cutting through multiple layers which is where I ran into the problem of the ruler slipping. So the mistake wasn’t in just one small section, it was repeated in four places.
I then painstakingly pinned my first long strip to the center fabric and sewed it carefully, being mindful of my wonky edges.
And I somehow managed to sew the wrong side of the long strip to the right side of the center fabric. I think I spent more time seam ripping than sewing.
I sorted it out and got the four strips sewn to my center piece. No matter how carefully I sewed my pieces together, using a 1/4″ seam allowance, the strips wouldn’t line up properly. How is that possible?
I used the same fabric for the backing as I used in the center. And I managed to cut it about 3/4″ too short.
At this point I was ready to chuck the whole thing in the trash in a fit of pique but I soldiered on. Like the inspiration picture, I didn’t want to have a binding so I sewed the two pieces, wrong side together (with some thin batting) and then turned it right side out. I finished it with some top stitching along the edges. I was intending to do some more quilting on it but to be honest I was over it by this point.
I’m tempted to cut all the edges off and redo it with by narrowing the side rows to be consistent with the ends and adding a binding. We’ll see how much effort I want to invest it in. I think the overall pattern is a keeper, I just need to figure out how to keep my seams consistent and to cut things out properly.
So if you had never mentioned the issues, no one would have ever known that you had any problems making this beautiful runner! As for advice, some sandpaper dots on the back of the ruler go a long way to keep it from slipping as you cut. I have a larger mat, but my longest ruler is 24″ as well. I do the foldy fabric thing and just do my best and fudge the rest. I’m sure Nicole would have some wonderful advice for you!
It does photograph pretty well 🙂 I think it will fall apart the minute I try to wash it. The seams are suspect. I loved the concept and the fabrics – the execution was just a bit wonky. Thanks for the sandpaper dot suggestion. I’ll give that a shot.
Oh gosh. I know how frustrated you must feel. The good news is, the results look great in spite of your issues. And Carolyn is right, if you hadn’t pointed them out, we’d never know. A couple of things to keep in mind for next time:
1) Don’t rely on charm squares being an accurate 5 ” square. They are often wonky. I trim mine down a bit to 4 3/4 or 4 1/2. That way I know they are all the same.
2) Once you get your squares sewn together, measure the two long strips. They should be equal. If not, tighten up the seam allowances on a couple of seams of the longer strip unit. I am talking about a hair here, not much. Do the same with the charm squares for the two short sides of the runner.
3) Now measure and cut your solid center piece of fabric to the exact length of those long strips. and to the width of your two short strips. Mark the center of each long strip with a pin. Mark the center of each side of your center piece with a pin. Match those pins up and pin the sides together. If the piece is super long, I will mark both the half way point and the two quarter point spots. Use lots of pins.
4) Sew with the patchwork strip on the underside, the solid piece on the top. Sewing with a “flabby bottom” always helps “ease” a longer piece to match up better with the upper piece. Repeat process for the short pieced sides.
A tip for not having your ruler slip is to use the dots Carolyn mentioned. Additionally, as you are firmly holding your ruler in place, “creep” your fingers up towards the top of the ruler to hold it steady as your rotary cutter works its way up the side of the ruler. If you just are holding the ruler at the bottom of the ruler, that top part will veer out every time and you will get a mis-cut.
I’d be happy to show you in person when I see you.
Thanks for all the tips. I have another charm pack that I might have a go at. I’m determined this super easy design isn’t going to get the better of me…
Its lovely and reminds me I am remiss in visiting. Advance apologies for my boys using it to wipe their greasy fingers off on!
Oh do come visit! The weather has been so nice and the garden is going nuts. You guys could come over for dinner.