Friday, October 10, 2014

Day 5 - Holiday Hostess Table Topper tutorial!

 Before we get into Day 5 of the tutorial I have Block 11 of the Shabby Roses Churn Dash Stitchalong to show you!
*smile*


If you haven't followed along with this 12-week project just go HERE and scroll through each block!
Only one more block to go and we're finished. I'll also have the free quilt assembly pattern to share with you next Friday when the final block is revealed.

 The pattern for *smile* is HERE in the shop today as a $2 instant pdf download.


 Are you ready to finish your "Holiday Hostess" project today?
Here's my completed duo...



Just a few more steps and you'll have a sweet table topper to decorate your Christmas table, or a pretty wall hanging to display!


The length of binding you will need to make is dependent on how large the project is that you need it for. The table topper as I have made it requires 80" of binding, and the easiest way to calculate this is to use the free online binding calculator shared HERE at Quilters Paradise.
Simply enter the width and length of the project you've made and how wide you need to cut the binding fabric. For mine I have cut the fabric 2½” wide...


If you're using yardage to make the binding for this project (to the size I have made it)  cut two, 2½” x 43 (width of fabric) lengths.
If you're using a fat quarter or different lengths of scrap fabric, just be sure that all your lengths join together after the next few steps to measure 80".

Lay one piece vertically on your cutting board, right side facing up.
Lay a second piece across the end of the first on a 90 degree angle (right angle)  but this time with the wrong side facing up. 
The selvedge on both strips will be removed in the next steps...


Use your quilting ruler to accurately line up your fabrics on the 90 degree line...


The bottom fabric edge should be ¼” inside the point of the ruler...


Use your rotary cutter to remove the corner of the fabrics, then pin the two ends together...


Machine the two pieces together with a ¼” seam...


Press the seams (or seams) open...


...and then fold the binding in half along its length and press flat.


You've made your binding!


Now we'll attach the binding to the table topper (or wall hanging).
For part of this next stage I actually forgot to take photos, but I have previously shared a binding tutorial and you can find it HERE...

Sew the binding around the outside of the quilt, mitring the corners as you go (here) ...


Join the two ends together when you have completed the four sides (here)...
 Cut away the excess wadding/batting and backing fabric...


Press the binding away from the top of your quilt...

HANGING SLEEVE:
For those who decided to make a wall hanging this is how to make a hanging sleeve which will house the wooden hanging rod.
Measure the width across the back of your wall hanging...


It's lovely if you can match the hanging sleeve with your backing fabric, but it's okay if you can't.
Cut a piece of fabric 4" x 2" narrower than the width of your wall hanging. 
This meant that my fabric measured 4" x 10½”.
Fold a ¾” hem down both ends and press them with your iron. Fold the hanging sleeve in half across the length and press again...


Pin it across the top centre of the back of your wall hanging...


Now turn the wall hanging right side facing up and with your machine's walking foot attached, sew the quilt and the hanging sleeve together along the same seam line that was made when you attached the binding...

The final step!

For both projects, fold the binding to the back of the quilt and pin in place. 
There are special little clips you can purchase to hold the binding down (or use children's hair clips), but I only pin the very first few inches along my binding then continue without them...


Using a thread the same colour as your binding fabric, slip stitch the binding to the quilt back. Catching the stitch in the seam line is a great guide!
Some people sew 'away' from themselves, but I like to sew 'towards' myself. Do what feels most comfortable for you...


When you get to the corner, make a little mitre and keep stitching...



Slip stitch the bottom of the hanging sleeve on the wall hanging, leaving a little 'pocket' of space for inserting the hanging rod later...


Congratulations! 

I hope you've enjoyed this 5-day marathon tutorial, and hopefully learned a few new things if you're just starting out with your sewing/stitching/quilting journey.

Remember, the techniques I have shared are *my* way of doing things, and not at all the only way. If something I have shared isn't working well for you, google (or pinterest!) for more ideas.
The most important thing to remember is that this is YOUR  craft experience and making it fun is what it's really all about.





TOMORROW... something new.
Be sure to drop by the blog to find out what it is, or you can keep up with Elefantz news by signing up to my free Friday newsletter HERE, and/or liking the Elefantz Facebook page HERE.

have a brilliant day,

10 comments:

Christine M said...

Your projects look wonderful. Thank you for this great set of tutorials, Jenny. I still haven't finished stitching my tree! Hopefully I will tonight. Then I can finish my table topper off. Have a lovely weekend. Hugs, Christine xx

Wendy said...

Both your projects are gorgeous, thanks so much for this wonderful tutorial. I just finished the piecing and quilting today and am loving how it looks, hopefully will get to the binding tomorrow . Wendy xx

Allie said...

Beautifully done, my dear, I love both versions!!

Baa. xxx said...

They look great all finished.

cucki said...

beautifully done my dear x

Tammy said...

Gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

What a great week it's been. Thanks for all the detailed pictures; it really helps. You are so succinct and orderly when you lay these things out, I find it very easy to follow any instructions you post.

Unknown said...

Thank you for this tutorial. As a total beginner would you be terribly offended if I make the point that I didn't know how much material, batting or anything to look out or need until each day so I made separate trips to town to get resources, maybe I should have waited until day 5 and started then tho! I made a few mistakes as part of my learning curve - two of my hexagons are smaller by 1/4 inch than the other two(I dont know how!)(I also managed to gash my finger with the rotary cutter - ouch) , I sewed the border on wrong at the corners and I missed a bit of the border when sewing it on. (And I just added a layer of thick cotton instead of batting cos I wasnt going down to town for a third time.) I did enjoy following your guide and am going to try again with different material - hopefully more successfully. Thank you very much for your tutorial - yours are gorgeous xx

Unknown said...

Thank you for a wonderful week of tutorials. I Have other commitments at the moment but will keep these for future reference. I will be joining your wonderful stitching club as i love and admire your work. I Don't know how you do it
Yes I do you have been given a gift and this has made you a very generous person.God bless you and keep you safe xx

Marian said...

Lovely tutotial and pattern, I just finish my top an I am happy with it.
The colonial knots are new for me and I love them.
Thank you for teaching and sharing.
Greetings,
Marian