This year's Project Quilting has begun. The first challenge is called "A Clean Slate" - in which we pick a project that aligns to whatever a clean slate means to us. As I was thinking chalkboards, Rob reminded me that I was going to make a runner for our kitchen window and suggested a whole-cloth quilt. Oddly enough, a whole-cloth quilt was one of the suggestions in the challenge post. Then, as I was considering how quickly off-white fabric might stain, Rob said to use a solid color with white thread... and I immediately snapped back to my thoughts on chalkboards. Black and white it is!
Our kitchen window is a great place to put plants in the winter but I found
some of the planters left marks on the paint. I've added a variety of
coasters under them, then we thought a single runner might be a good
solution.
In making a template, I discovered the window is not symmetrical. Once I cobbled together a good template, I found long skinny pieces of black and grey in my stash. No need to piece something to stretch across the entire five-foot nine-inch sill. I also found a long piece of polyester batting to sandwich in between. Perfect!
Quilting this thing was the least challenging part of this project.
Thread tension was established without fuss (how can that be?!) and I quilted
whatever popped in my head. Swirls, leaves and flowers seem to be my
go-to designs. My free motion stitch length is improving with the swirls
- some of the rest of it needs some work. Overall, I'm pleased with how
it looks.
The most challenging part? Probably photographing the darned thing because it's so long and skinny. Well, binding it was pretty difficult, too. Don't look too closely at the corners - they're a bunched up mess! Luckily, the ugliest edges are against the windows, which no one will ever see. I'm good with that.
What a fun project! Kicked off the new year by removing something from my to-do list as well as a chance to play with some free motion quilting.
Sharing with:
Persimon Dreams -
Project Quilting 17.1
A Quiltery - Put Your Foot Down Thursday
Alycia Quilts - Finished or Not Friday
Nina-Marie - Off the Wall Friday
Quilting Patchwork
Applique - Patchwork & Quilts
What a fabulous PQ project. I love everything about it. I especially enjoyed the thought process that lead up to the sill runner. Where you truly excelled was with the execution. Your FMQ with the flowers and swirls compliments the plants delightfully.
ReplyDeleteIt's perfect!! And has given me an idea for an odd shaped half oval table I have. You nailed it.
ReplyDeleteOh, beautifully executed and how interesting to learn that the area is not symmetric!
ReplyDeleteI love it when the make fill a practical need….and obviously your DH gets it 😀
ReplyDeleteThis is pretty brilliant. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that pretty?! And kudos to Rob for helping you figure it out, too. I think the white thread against the gray fabric is beautiful, Sally. Great finish!
ReplyDeleteCustom and very pretty. Great work.
ReplyDeleteHow strange that the window sill/ledge is not symmetrical. You nailed the runner. The light quilting on the dark fabric looks great, Sally.
ReplyDeleteWow, I love everything about this! The colors, the design, the fit - it's just perfect! And I always admire a custom "answer" to a specific "question." This just ticks all the boxes for me, Sally - one of my favorites of your projects!
ReplyDeleteI have to add another big wow too Sally. Your made to measure design and finished topper is just so perfect and fits the bill perfectly there. I enjoyed reading about your process too. Your plants will have a posh place to sit; mine are sitting on one of those plastic felt backed table cloths from the dollar store. :)
ReplyDelete