Final GK Table Runner Finished – Plant Holder

Another finished UFO bites the dust.  We participated in Pat Sloan’s quilt along last fall called Grandma’s Kitchen.  Rather than make a quilt from the blocks, we chose to make a table runner.  Not just one but three!  The first two have been finished for months, while the final ten blocks languished away.  Awaiting their turn at the quilting table, they benefitted from being patient with a stippling quilted design.  I am also sharing this post as our second quilt offering for the 2018 Fall Quilt Festival.

First Table/Bed Runner Finished

Back in February, we finished the first GK table or bed runner from five of the GK blocks.

Tablerunner2

Tablerunner9

I did a fair bit of quilting on these blocks using different techniques.  On the peppermint block, I chose a spiral pattern on each separate mint.  An echo to the each of the corners completed this block.  The dress/apron block also was successful with echo quilting and straight-line in its frame.   Straight-line quilting was used in the three other blocks.  Ruler work in the white border and a zigzag in the navy wrapped up this runner.  I was very happy to have this first runner complete!

Second GK Runner

GK Runner #2 - 5

 

By May, the second runner was complete but it barely was mentioned on the blog!  It was overshadowed by my Postcard finish along with Evening Star.  Here it is on our dinette table, looking mighty fine if I do say so myself.  Lots of straight-line quilting was used in a variety of directions.  There was a reason or purpose for selecting these blocks for this runner, but I recall it now.  I’m suspecting it was a color they all had in common like navy.  Anyway, let’s get on to the purpose of this post.  Right?!  These two are history and we want to live in the here and now. ~smile~

Third and Final GK RunnerGK Runner Finished

Just think, you never have to hear about these again.  Why?  Because all 20 blocks have been used and this UFO is d.o.n.e.  Finished.  Finito.  Donesville.  Okay, I made my point but I could go on and on.  Without further ado, here it is.  All of the final 10 blocks, together with some sashing in its final resting spot.  It will live on our dinette table.  Unlike #2, which had a glamour shot (Wendy!!) on the table never to enjoy that spot again.  (It’s for sale in our meager Etsy shop.)

 

We have a lovely table that belonged to my parents.  I ate dinner at that table every night until I moved out, and even then I went back to my mom’s for dinner at least once a week.  So, the table has a special place in my heart.  Sue also likes the table and claimed it for her own when we moved my mom out of her house.  This third runner has the honor of forever being the table protector.  From this day forward, let it me known that the table will be protected from all the plants that almost-permanently reside on top of it.

Details About Runner #3

Are you wondering about the details behind the runner?  I’ll just bet you are.  What is the finished size you may ask.  I didn’t measure it – who cares – I might have said.  But instead, I got up, measured it, and can now report 30″ x 70″.  What backing was used just may be another question that must be answered.

The same fabric used in the Mantle quilt was chosen as the backing and binding.  Also illustrated is the six inches I was short on the amount of binding needed. You will see a small piece of solid green was auditioned as an emergency fill-in, and it won the job.  I dare anyone to notice and say anything!

Was There Stippling on Runner #3???

GK Stippling

Yes indeed there was lots of it!

As the final step, stippling was done using my favorite light yellow thread on top and in the bobbin.  Again, no one will ever see the reverse side (except anyone who reads this blog post) so I was relaxed about the selection.

 

Here is a picture of the stippling on the front of the flimsy.  I shared this in a to-do post and the Quilt Police was mentioned because of that little loop.  This may actually be a meander stitch technically, but who is going to challenge that.

 

Stippling Settings

I wanted to share a picture of my settings for FMQing.  I dropped my feed dogs and plugged in the foot pedal that I rarely use.  It takes me a bit to remember then that I cannot use the start/stop button!  A slow stitching speed is another thing I do – my own stitch regulation.  Near the low end (left) of the speed bar means a slower stitch.  Faster stitching means I need to move my hands faster, and that would for sure make me nervous.  So, I found a nice slow speed that I can keep up with.  The key seems to be moving your hands at a speed that is compatible with the speed you are stitching.  When that combination is used you get pleasingly sized stitches, and you are happy with yourself!  That’s a really great thing. ♥♥

 What Does the Runner Look Like Right This Minute??

GK Runner plants

TA-DA!  Plants are comfy although they need a few dead leaves removed now that I look at the photo.  You can see a peek of Sue’s Beauty and the Beast collection back there if you really look.  My Christmas cactus is there, happily growing new leaves.  It never blooms at Christmas but that’s okay.  I am happy when it choses to bloom at all!  Our table will look like this until a) our cookie bake in November or December some time, or b) people visit and eat over.  The plants are moved for visitors; otherwise they enjoy the light from the patio doors.  Only three UFOs to go!!

 

We are joining a new linky party on Fridays at Brag About Your Beauties.  Our other Linky Parties can be found by clicking the link or along the sidebar on our website for more quilting fun – check out what our friends are up to.  Like/follow us on our Facebook page and you can share your photos of what you’re working on.  We would love to see them!

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21 Responses

  1. Nancy says:

    Runner No. 3 — I love that red star block! I can imagine a whole quilt of them. Of course your table runners look great, too. Lovely memory about your parents’ table.

  2. Carol S. says:

    What a great finish on those beautiful runners…congratulations! It’s always fun to read your posts because they make me laugh a bit, inspire me, and make my day better.

  3. Tish says:

    You are down to only 3 UFOs?? Stitch me really jealous 🙂 Congrats on the finish of the 3rd table runner and finding all those gorgeous blocks homes. I think this one will proudly do it’s job of keeping the table safe while giving all those lovely plants a place to sun bathe.

  4. Fred QPA says:

    Beautiful runners, and nice plants 😉

  5. Karon Scott says:

    Beautiful finishes. Thanks for sharing them all.

  6. Beautiful runners, I love the pinwheel blocks!!

  7. dezertsuz says:

    Congratulations on finishing all three and being so close to the end of your UFO goals for this year. I know I start as many new ones as I finish, but that’s a topic for another day. =)

  8. Kate says:

    Congrats on a beautiful finish. How cool that it’s already in use and there’s no hit to your UFO list.

  9. chrisknits says:

    Lovely runners all!!!

  10. Look at you with all that fancy-pants quilting! I’m a straight-line girl with only occasional forays into FMQ, so each of these three runners wows me. Congratulations on scratching another UFO off your list!

  11. nanamickie says:

    The runners look fantastic!! Great job!

  12. I love that you got three awesome table runners out of the blocks you made for the Grandma’s Kitchen quilt. As someone who plans (someday) to learn FMQ, I really appreciate all the info you shared. And you obviously you have a much greener thumb than I do. Take care, Mary.

  13. Great job on the runners! You’re not going to have a single UFO left, at this rate.

  14. Brenda Ackerman says:

    Hello Roseanne, I made all of the blocks with you on Pat’s Quilt Along and really enjoyed it! I think your choice of making table runners is an excellent idea and I am glad that you showed them all. I only have a total of three plants at this time, but they are looking so pretty. Next to your beautiful plants though, mine look rather puny. LOL. It was also nice reading about the story of your table. I find that when people share on their blogs stories of their lives, I really enjoy visiting. Tell Sue that I think it is pretty awesome that she has a collection of Beauty and the Beast. I still display some of the items that both of my Grandmothers gave to me through the years. Again, these items become fun and treasured and let us hold onto being who we are! Hee, Hee I love sharing with people as we are becoming friends. I have to say that your free motion quilting is becoming better and better with every project! Are you going to start quilting mine also? You are becoming such a pro! I am almost ready to put on the scalloped border on the quilt I have been working on for so long. I really am proud of it and will share pictures with you when it is complete. I hope the two of you continue to have a spectacular time achieving your UFO goals! Thank you for sharing and inspiring with all that you do! Have a fantastic weekend!!

  15. Barbara Esposito, The Quilted B says:

    Well done dear friend! You inspire me to tackle some of my UFO’s…sort of…maybe I will just send them off to you two!

  16. Kathryn says:

    The finale of Grandma’s Kitchen and a very fitting end it is. Great work. And now protecting the table, very good. Loved the fmq tiidbits, I have the slowest setting too when I fmq!!

  17. somethingrosemade14 says:

    I love it when I’m in Donsville too; great place to be. Don’t know why I ever leave it. Great idea to use blocks to make table runners.

  18. Congrats on the finish!! Love your work..love the colors! I may have to look into doing a few table runners! I absolutely LOVE your quilting on the first one. Lots of techniques! This is another area I need to work on…my free motion. Thanks for the encouragement!!

  19. Shannon Fleming says:

    You must have a green thumb. Your quilting looks fabulous my dear! I hope you will share more details about your cookie bake. I am being quite nosy, but you did mention it!

  20. Way to go on the finish, and only 3 to go! Woohoo! It looks lovely, good work on the glam shot! 🙂

  21. Vicki in MN says:

    Yeah for a finish!!! Keep on going with whittling down the UFO’s!

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