Garden Pinwheels Quilted Table Runner Tutorial

Welcome to my very first tutorial!!! I was searching for a pattern for a new spring-y table runner and just couldn't find one that suited the fabric I purchased. So, I made one myself!!

The completed runner measures 11" x 55". You can add or omit some blocks to make yours the right size for your table. 

I chose four print fabrics and a crisp white. These fabrics are from the Fresh From the Garden line by M'Liss. You will need about a half yard of each.

Fabrics

For each pinwheel block you will need:
2- 5 7/8" squares print
2- 5 7/8" squares white
For the rail blocks you will need:
2- 5 1/4" x 10" print
2- 5 1/4" x 10" different print
Sashing:
6- 1 1/2" x 10 strips
2- 1 1/2" x 54" strips
Backing & Batting:
14" x 56"

Half-Square Triangles

Make your HST by laying the 5 7/8" white squares on top of your print squares and drawing a line on the diagonal. Sew 1/4" on each side of the line and then cut on the line so you now have 10 HST blocks. Trim them up and iron.

HST trimmed and pressed

Lay out your four HST blocks like the picture below to make a total of three pinwheel blocks. Sew together using the chain-piecing method.

Now, you have you completed pinwheel blocks. I made two the same and one different so I would have the two in the orange on the ends and the red one in the middle. 

Three pinwheel blocks

 Take your 5 1/4" cuts and lay them out like the picture below. I alternated the prints. Sew them together!

Rail block layout

 Now, you have your two completed rail fence blocks!

Completed rail blocks

 Take your six 10" long sashing strips and sew them on each side of your pinwheel blocks. Then, sew your blocks together to get this:

Grab your 56" long shashing strips and sew those to the top and bottom of your runner.

Completed runner top

 Layer your backing, batting, and top. Baste and quilt! Add your binding. I used the yellow word print from the top of the bird in the garden print.

 Enjoy you new lovely spring table runner!!

 I know this little birdie will!

Please don't use this tutorial as your own and always link back to this post if you are going to discuss it on your own blog! Thank you! I hope you enjoy it! Let me know if I made any mistakes or if you have any questions in your comments!

Christmas Card Wreath Display

I found a little blurb in my Martha Stewart Living mag about a "pinup wreath" for one to display Christmas cards. It looked easy enough so I gathered a few items I needed that I didn't already have from the local Dollar General (hot glue gun and clothespins).

A few days later I complied the listed items and began to work.

You can see said blurb in the left corner of the above photo. It is page 78 if you have the magazine. I knew I had a large hoop but I didn't know what size it was. All I knew was that I had one I didn't use and I needed somewhere to put my cards. When I went looking for it I was disappointed it wasn't wooden, was blue, and only 10" but I figured it would look acceptable enough modern. I also didn't have any pretty cotton ribbon so I used what I had and that was white paper cording that I unfolded and used for my bow. The coffee was also necessary for a morning project ;).





Here it is all completed! I think it looks pretty good. It serves the purpose. I put it in the kitchen in the place of a picture I had on the wall. The clothespins are hot glued one and half inch apart alternating in and out. It was very simple to make and although it doesn't look as nice as Martha's, it suits me. 

In other news, I have been a wrapping machine and my ping-pong table sewing table is overrun with bows and various paper.

I wanted to show you this wrapping paper I have. We found some at yard sales and Husband found a huge box of it in the paper recycling bin last year and brought it home. We never have to buy wrapping paper again but what I wanted to show you were some of my favorites. I wish these were fabrics. The kittens are my total fav, followed by the white and silver with red birds. I'm not sure what else I can do with it but wrap gifts but I'd love to hear someones crafty ideas on how to make something with it.

Let me know if you make the card wreath too because I'd love to see a picture of yours! Leave a link in the comments of this entry.