Triple Express Runner

I always wanted to make a table runner, but I have a round table. Not quite a good match for those rectangle ones.... I finally had the opportunity when I found out our Neighbor loves table runners. =) I showed her some options and she chose the "Triple Express Runner" from the quilt book Happy Hour by Atkinson Designs. She purchased the fabrics in a home dec weight which made for a sturdy runner.

I thought it was a pretty easy runner. The assembly of the top was really simple the way she designed it-- cutting down one big pieced section into the necessary smaller ones. I've never quilted anything beyond a pot holder so it was my first experience with that. I taped down the backing, put down the batting, then the top and safety pin basted it. I think I could have made the top a little more taught during basting. But it wasn't as hard as I thought. The only part that tripped me up was the binding. I didn't know how to bind corners at that angle. Since they weren't right angles I couldn't do the nice mitered ones. I just went around them without doing anything (treating them like a curve). This worked pretty well until you sew down the binding on the back and end up with some pleates and other unfavorables. It might not be such an issue if you hand sew down the binding in the back, but I did it by machine. I stitched in the ditch on the front and made sure the binding on the bottom would get sewn through.  I did look in the multiple books and online trying to find out how to bind those corners nicely but I couldn't find what I needed. I redid a few of the curves a few times until they looked a little better. The best part about table runners is no one looks at the back....usually. =O

Doggie Dino Pillow

Official Pillow Tester

I made this pillow without a pattern. Our dog kindly separated my wool batting into tiny fluffy pieces ready for pillow stuffing.... probably trying to send me a hint seeing he LOVES our wool pillows. :)  The pillow is made with a natural denim shell that I serged, stuffed and closed.  I then broke out my way cool Michael Miller "Brown Dino Dudes" fabric to make the case. (This fabric also comes in flannel but I thought that would attract too much dog hair.)  The case is what I guess you would call a slip case? I overlapped the fabric in the back so it stays closed but I can remove the "pillow form" when it's wash time.

Cupcake Apron

I made this apron for my Grandmother using the Scalloped Apron Pattern by The Paisley Pincushion. The apron is reversible, has darts, three pockets on each side and features a scissor back.

Project Notes:

• I made this apron in size B.
• I lined the pockets. I sewed them with right sides together and then flipped them right side out. I thought this made creating the scalloped pockets easier...for me at least.
• The recipient did not want to reverse the apron so I only put pockets on one side.
• I thought the pattern was well written and easy to follow.
• Be sure to clip it really close to the stitching where the scallops meet on the edges of the apron. I had to keep yanking those parts back through the small opening left for turning to re-clip them so they would iron nice and flat.
• The only thing I wish was different is the amount of fabric used on the scissor back. It's pretty much two layers back there when you are wearing it because each back piece is so large. That's just my ipersonal preference though. As it is, It will definitely keep your clothes clean!
• Cupcake fabric is "Confections" by Robert Kaufman fabrics.

Front and back view. Click to enlarge.