October UFO link up & Pumpkin Spice table runner
Can you believe it’s the last day of October already? Halloween? Time is moving too quickly! It’s also time for the October UFO link up which is part of my Hello 2016, Goodbye UFO series.
Pumpkin Spice Table Runner
My UFO project for this month is a Pumpkin Spice Table Runner that I started last year. I had purchased some American Made Brand cotton solids and I wanted to make something small that would show off the beautiful fall color palette. I’m always switching out my table runners so I knew this would be a perfect project.
This was my first time working with the American Made Brand fabric. I like the company story and the fact that I’m buying an American product. The fabric is easy to work with but it’s not as nice as some of the other solid fabrics I’ve used such as Kona and Marcus Brothers. The hand is a little bit rougher and the weave is not as tight. I love the saturated colors, though!
I used a neutral taupe that contrasted beautifully with the bright, warm colors. I kept the bands of taupe the same width (2 1/4″ unfinished) and varied the colored strips. I started with the widest strip (3 1/4″ unfinished) in the center and went to smaller increments on each side until I got to the purple strip which is 2″ unfinished. It’s a very simple design, but it packs a punch.
I kept the quilting simple as well (it’s better to be finished than to be perfect). I used a variegated thread (Superior King Tut) and I stitched 1/4″ on each side of the seams.
I found a beautiful fall floral in my stash from several years ago and used it for the backing. I didn’t have enough for the entire length, so I added a contrasting rectangle of purple in the center. I love having a reversible table runner!
When I want to finish a project pronto, it means that I’m going to do the binding entirely by machine. Recently, my favorite way to do that is by sewing the binding to the BACK of the quilt and wrapping it around to the front. From the front side, I stitch close to the folded edge of the binding (by machine) with matching thread on top and thread to match the backing in the bobbin. It looks good on both sides (again, finished is better than perfect).
October UFO Link UP
Another UFO checked off my list! Now, I can’t wait to see what you’ve completed this month. It gets harder to commit to finishing a UFO project as we get close to the holidays, so I commend you for sticking to it!
I’ll pick two winners from the link up who will each win a prize package containing a charm pack of Juniper Berry by Basic Grey for Moda, a spool of Magnifico Thread from Superior Threads, a quilt pattern, a free motion quilting book and a prepaid subscription to The Quilt Show.
Link-up Rules:
- You may add up to 2 finished projects.
- One image per finished project.
- Project must be sewing or quilting related.
- The link-up will be open until November 7, at midnight, PST.
- The giveaway is open to USA or Canada only, however, anyone can join the link-up. If a winner is chosen that is international, then another number will be picked until it meets the criteria.
- Winner will be drawn at random on November 8, 2016.
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Julie: I’m ready to submit my UFO entry for your next drawing (December?), but don’t see how to enter it. Other messages speak of a link, and you say the link does appear now. However I do not see it. How do I submit my photo?
Nancy Nov. 25, 2016
Wow! There are some beautiful things posted here. Congratulations to everyone who finished a project–and some of them were big ones!
I must be losing my mind. I have read through this post 3 times and I don’t see the link up.
Hi Julie,
You had every right to be confused. The link up expired prematurely, but I’ve fixed it. You should see the link button now. My apologies!
I enjoy reading your posts and seeing all the projects and today I finally figuredmout how to send in one of my finished ones. I am a bit computer impaired. I like your table runner and think being able to use either side is a smart design. I have just started using Superior threads and am very impressed. Thanks for the give away and the inspiration to complete my UFOs.
So wonderful to follow you. I am a brand new quilter – have yet to purchase my machine – trying to decide between a Bernina 770 QE or a Janome S9 – I will figure it out by mid-November. Until then I will be getting my 25 year old Singer back form the repair man and start with that. I am a new follower – and your runner may be my first project – I LOVE it. Thank you.
Your table runner is beautiful, Julie! Great colors! I, too, like the saturation of the American Made Brand fabrics, but I have found I don’t like using them as much as I like other solids out there.
Every month I have said I would add something I finished, and every month I procrastinated adding my photo. Well today I took the leap and did it, only to find my photo was cropped in a way that you can’t even tell what it is. Grrrr. I will do better next month (since I couldn’t figure out how to delete my link).
I love the simplicity of the TR. The colors are great. I have some Fall fabrics and may incorporate a few strips into the runner.
Oh, I made the Crumb Catcher and love it. Thanks so much Julie.
Lois
I like the colors on your tablerunner. Looks so nice with the pumpkin. Thanks to you another one bit the dust…….only two more months and, hopefully, two more UFO’s finished for the year. You have inspired me!
Thanks for the giveaway.
The other thing I have found with the American Made Brand is that it is the ONLY fabric I will pre-wash before using. It does shrink 🙁 Most likely because it it a looser weave than the other fabrics, Moda, Kona, etc.
How do you get your corners so nice? I have trouble with that.
My doesn’t look as nice either but practice makes perfect (at least with quilting.)
Lois