Monday, January 23, 2017

A UFO finish and something quick...

The other day I told you I would finally be completing a long overdue project which featured my "Tea Shelf" stitchery design. 
Back in 2015 I decided it would be lovely to embroider a stitchery onto two corners of this crochet edged vintage cloth and then display it on a quilted fabric background to create a pretty table runner., but it was packed away and too long forgotten...






On Saturday while Mr E continued working on the Jeep repairs I set my hands to following through on this plan. 

I chose fabric from an older Tilda range for the table runner background. It was perfect for machine quilting a cross-hatch design because I was able to use the little spots as 'guide' lines...and besides, it's probably one of my favourite fabrics of all time so it deserved to be used for something special. 







Once the quilting was done I carefully centred the embroidered cloth over the table runner and pinned it on before machine sewing in place along the crochet edge.





Choosing the right binding print was not easy and I almost put the runner aside until I could go shopping for something appropriate, but then, as I was hunting through my limited fabric stash I found one fat quarter of a soft teal blue check which looked perfect...





Some days things just work out don't they?!







Rosie Heather is coming for a visit on Wednesday so my new "Tea Shelf" table runner will get to display it's sweetness for her...






I made another table runner on Saturday, a very simple one using pretty blue and white floral cheater fabric I found on sale at Spotlight last week. It's a gift for a friend who loves blue and white and only took me two hours to make from start to finish.





I machine quilted double lines between the little squares which makes it looked like I've spent all day doing patchwork when in fact everything I did was easy and quite relaxing.





The backing and binding are simple white homespun and I machine sewed the binding down, another time saver. To be honest, since I taught myself to machine-bind I've been hooked on it!





It turned out very pretty if I do say so myself, and I hope my friend likes it too.








I've put aside some other projects I'd like to finish in the weeks ahead because there's a great deal of satisfaction to be had in completing a UFO, but I'm also open to making simple 'in-a-day' projects too, like the blue and white table runner. 

Two finishes in a weekend has made me quite happy with myself. 
Maybe I'll carve out some time every week to finish one more UFO?

What did you make this weekend?

hugs

The "Tea Shelf" stitchery pattern can be found here.




26 comments:

Martha Roberts said...

It is one of those nights when sleep evades me so I was delighted to see a new post on your blog. Your quilting is so straight and evenly spaced. Love both of the table runners. Love the blue checked binding. Finishing UFOs is a wonderful feeling. Love to you and Mr. E.

Maria said...

Oh Jenny both your table runner are very pretty... it's always nice to finish a long awaited project and I think the blue and white cheater floral turned out great. I always machine bind.... even quilts....

This weekend I also tackled a couple of small UFOs...

Clara said...

Jenny.......absolutely adorable works! Love the colors! And.....oh....me too I've a stack of Ufo........😖

Baa. xxx said...

Beautiful - they both look so fresh and pretty.

Lace Faerie said...

Beautiful work,as always! I especially like the tea shelf runner. I can see why the background is a favorite of yours. Very sweet!

Christine B said...

Beautiful finishes Jenny! I love both runners but I especially like the one with the vintage doily on the top.... such a clever way to use vintage linens! Have a lovely week! Christine x

Janice said...

They are both beautiful. It will be hard to give away the blue and white one.

Wendyb said...

Just perfect honey........and I love blue and white *wink* lol :o)

Allie-oops Designs said...

They are both so lovely, dear Jenny!!! That blue check is just perfect, how wonderful to find it in your stash - gotta love it when that happens!!! I'm remaking my Lemon Tree mini quilt...oh the joy of working with yellow, during these grey rainy days!!!

Suze said...

I am suffering jet lag and my computer died while I was in Europe. It feels so good to visit your page and see the delights you produce and the love that you share with you family and friends. I think two items in one day is a breath taking effort and I love them both. The decision to stitch in the cutting lines was a stroke of brilliance. WEll done.

Annie said...

I'm normally a bright jewel-toned-colors kind of girl, but your table runners made me give a big sigh because they are SO lovely.

Debra said...

Your two finishes are both lovely, Jenny! I especially admire your meticulous machine quilting. I am currently reorganizing my small sewing room, having purchased some decorative storage boxes, and I am reducing and refining my fabric stash and sewing supplies. No UFOs completed, but for me, creativity and chaos don't mix! LOL

JES said...

Just gorgeous Jenny! You always inspire me to get my needle out! It has been a busy 3 months for us but my daughter and I are craving some down time to continue our Domesticity BOM's... I think we will listen to Silas Marner this time! :) Have a lovely week!

Lin said...

Very pretty finish Jenny and great use of that vintage cloth - it's always good to recycle especially something as pretty as that. xx

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

Very Very nice table runner - so pretty! I am sure your friend will love it. and Ditto on the vintage cloth!

A Joyful Cottage said...

Oh, Jenny, the tea shelf runner is beautiful. So cottagey. I just love it. Really nice job of making the cheater patchwork look like you spent hours piecing and sewing. Your friend will love it, I'm sure. I'm working on a gift for a friend who just lost her mom. I'm sewing a cushion cover and adding a vintage trailer applique that was patterned off of a photo of her own vintage travel trailer. It's all just stuff I've made up as I go. Very spontaneous, which is kind of my style! Keep inspiring us! xo

Victoria said...

I have a similar white tablecloth. Now, I am inspired.

allthingzsewn said...

Both runners are very lovely but adding the vintage piece with your added stitching was candy to my eyes.

Julie said...

Both are just beautiful & gorgeous Jenny. I especially love that Tilda fabric myself - yes it IS an older range & not available over here anymore. I treasure my small piece I have left. Wishing you a creative week my friend x x x

Anonymous said...

Once again you inspire us all to poke into the corners of our homes for those projects just waiting to be finished. Oh, yes, I have my share of UFOs, put aside during my years of working full time, but now that I've finally retired, and we are in the heart of winter,some of those long forgotten items are getting completed. You know yourself just how satisfying this feels! - Diane from Minnesota

Createology said...

Gorgeous table runners. Congratulations on finishing such a lovely "Tea Shelf" table runner. I also adore your "Cheater" blue and white table runner gift. The way you quilted it really does make it look extra special. I am trying to organize a few quick gift projects...however hubby and life keep overtaking my days! JOYful January...

Kristy said...

Your table runners are beautiful! I love the soft colors. I am working on Bonnie Hunter's Mystery quilt. I have 1 more row to sew sashings to and then put it on the big part of the quilt. Then it is border time which involves lots of 4 patches! I have sewn most of those to one another so I have at least a start. Have a lovely day. K-

Ondrea said...

Oh my! You certainly seem to have a flair for turning things into beautiful creations. I love the fabrics you chose and the quilting is just perfect. Angel hugs.

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

I love the vintage cloth added to the tablecloth! I think your friend will really like the one you made for her also. I am still unpacking and trying to get organized. I have to do footbaths for the chronic Lyme which I spend about an hour doing so have been working at making cards during that time. Nancy

Winifred said...

They are both gorgeous. You have such beautiful fabrics and suchfabulous ideas.

Melody said...

Absolutely adore your embroidered vintage cloth