Multiple Projects and Not a Lot of Finishes!

PB&J Table Runner and Pillow on my Front Porch

Last week was a whirlwind! Whew, we survived! I did manage to fit in some sewing, although I didn't finish everything I had hoped... And I added a new project, that needs to be finished by Friday. I typically don't work on multiple projects at once, but somehow I have managed to get about 5 or 6 projects going at once... we shall see how this pans out.

I finished the PB&J Table Runner. It looks cute on my coffee and does add a bit of color. I backed it with Kona Pond even though that doesn't match, and I really don't like backing things with fabric that doesn't match the front... BUT with a table runner I figure it doesn't really matter that much. I bound it with Kona Olive.

I decided to free motion quilt it. That was fun. I sort of meandered with loops, I don't know what this is called. It turned out nice. In the three stars I did some flowers, that was my first attempt at that. I practiced on a couple of little "quilt squares" I made, and my practice flowers turned out much better than the ones actually on the table runner, but I think they work.

I also made a coordinating pillow. The pillow was fun, but I spent too much time on it. I had a bunch of corner pieces from making the stars on the table runner, so I used those tiny pieces to make a square on the front of the pillow. Since I was just sewing them together without much thought, there were a couple of times I had to rip out seems and start over, because something didn't match up just right. I used Kona Olive as a border. I used a bit more PB&J to make a binding/edge. From the picture you can see that I haven't yet folded the binding over and hand stitched it to hide the seam. I am actually debating about this. I kind of like how what was to be the binding has now formed an edge or ruffle around the pillow. Also, I backed the pillow with burlap, yes, burlap (I stabilized it with muslin first) and I don't mind the raw edges on the back. Who knows, after seeing it in my living room for a few days I may decide to fold the binding over and stitch it.

 Bits and Pieces used to make Pillow

Burlap Back of Pillow

I free motion quilted the pillow front. Some loopy meandering on the colorful square, and then scrolled around the border, putting flowers in each corner. If I include the table runner, this is only my third attempt at FMQ so I think it is coming along fairly well.

I then took the 1/2 inch strips that I had trimmed from the charm pack squares for the table runner and I started piecing those together. I used the "ticker tape" method that Rachel at Stitched in Color explains. I used a glue stick to adhere the strips of fabric to a background of Kona White in a Chevron design. I then used a narrow zig zag stitch to permanently sew the fabric to the background. I stitched around each raw edge to ensure minimal fraying, although this pillow isn't going to be "washable" since I plan to back it with burlap as well.

Honestly when I decided to make matching pillows to go along with the table runner.  I thought I was just going to whip out a couple of simple cushions, but since I decided to use small scraps and get rather detailed and picky about placement, this turned into a long and drawn out process.

I have only finished the front of this pillow, because while working on the pillow, another project was dropped into my lap. I decided I really needed to make a baby quilt for a friend that recently had a baby boy. I thought about making appliqued onesies, embellished burp cloths, something along those lines... But I recently won 6 fat quarters of Timber and Leaf from Krista @ Sew Whats Cooking and I thought  what a perfect use for that fabric!



Saturday I spent some of the day cutting and sewing together blocks for a baby quilt. I need to finish the quilt by Friday... Its simple and I only need a few hours, but time is precious these days!

Over the weekend I did make 2 fleece tie blankets as well, so that took up some of my sewing time. My poor little 4 year old has been asking for one of those for at least a year now, and Joann's had fleece on sale so I finally made him one. I also made one for the dogs. They aren't allowed on my upstairs furniture (their little nails scratch the leather), so I wanted them to have something soft to lay on, and whenever someone pulls out a fleece blanker they lay on it right away, so I thought they should have one of their own.

I still have those appliqued onesies I need to get finished. I have my Skill Builder BOMs and I really want to start working on the Virtual Quilting Bee that Amy @ Diary of a Quilter is hosting. I also have the wall hanging I started a couple of weeks ago, still on my design wall, but nothing else accomplished.

Today I am linking up with Plum and June with Let's Get Acquainted Monday hosted by Nat at Made in Home.