Hello everyone!
I made a promise last time to have the pansies finished into table runner for our next update post. You’ll be pleased to know I got straight to it and finished well in time . It wasn’t difficult to choose the fabric. I had several purples in my stash but this one seemed perfect. My OH says it’s even more perfect because it has a sort of leafy print. I didn’t notice that. I’m all about the colours. This is how it looked straight off the frame.
Here is a close up of the fabric.
And here is the finished table runner. I made a sort of quilt with batting and backing and initially planned to quilt the border but I didn’t like it (after doing about a foot of the long side) so I unpicked that before adding the binding. The backing fabric is the same as the front. I’m pleased with how it turned out.
I then started a new SAL project and enjoyed stitching it so much that it’s also finished. After spending so much time on the pansies, because of changing my mind about the colours and subsequently unpicking, I decided to make a small project for a change. Claire bought me two kits several years ago so I pulled out one of those. The design is by Fido Stitch Studio. It’s a small piece at only 2.5” x “2.75” so it was just what I needed.
Claire advised me to swap the fabric in the kit for evenweave because she made another kit from Fido and the backstitching isn’t always in the holes of the aida. That was great advice but I really don’t like stitching on evenweave and will do almost anything to avoid it so I used the aida from the kit which is lovely quality and changed to a sharp needle for the back stitching and it was much easier than I’ve done before using a blunt cross stitch needle. Here it is before the back stitching was done. The thread colours are lovely and I enjoyed the confetti stitching because the project is so small.
Here it is with the back stitching finished. I changed it an a couple of places that won’t matter.
I looked for a suitable blank greetings card so I could then put it in a frame but nothing that I
had seemed to work so, after enjoying sewing the pansies into a table runner, I decided to make a mini quilt. After a quick audition of fabrics and a couple of hours of sewing I’d finished.
I wanted to hang it on the wall invisibly so I put two folded fabric triangles on the top corners before binding. I can put drawing pins up inside and they won’t be seen.
It was a good idea for me to get on with finishing this piece straight away. That’s another Happy Dance for me!
Please visit the other blogs that are also taking part in this SAL. There are so many different projects to enjoy. The participants live all over the world so you may need to allow for time differences. We’re posting today at local time.
Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, MaryMargaret, Cindy
Our next updates will be posted on the 30th June 2024.
About the SAL
Please note this SAL is not accepting any more new members until further notice but this is what it’s all about anyway. This SAL (Stitch Along) is slightly different to other SALs in that we don’t all stitch the same design at the same rate. We choose ONE unfinished project, or ONE new one, and show progress of its completion over a series of three weekly updates. There are no deadlines and no set amount to stitch. The result is that the space in our drawers full of WIPs (works in progress) is gradually being freed up to store lots of new crafty goodness. It’s surprising how much motivation I’ve gained from being in this SAL.
Lindashee
/ June 9, 2024Wow two beautiful finishes and I love the hidden corner technique. My mother suggested I do the same for my carrousel horse banners (when I get round to it) I agree with your OH, the fabric for the pansies is perfect. Two finishes in one SAL!! That’s a great update
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ June 10, 2024I usually prefer to frame finished projects but didn’t fancy paying for a frame for the pansies. I’m pleased the pansies are finished. The fox was light relief in comparison 🙂
Cathie J
/ June 9, 2024The table runner is gorgeous. I love the fabric you used. It is perfect. That little red fox is adorable. What a nice small finish. I wonder what is next.
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ June 10, 2024Thank you Cathie. I’ve just started another small project, similar to the fox. Hopefully, there’ll be another happy dance next time 🙂
Laura
/ June 9, 2024Love how your pansy table runner turned out…beautiful!
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ June 10, 2024Thank you Laura. I’m pleased it’s finished 🙂
claire93
/ June 9, 2024Those are two fabulous finishes!
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ June 10, 2024I’m planning a happy dance next time as well 🙂
Sharon
/ June 9, 2024That table runner is gorgeous! I love that you turned the fox into a mini quilt. Love what you did the fox and celebration with a happy dance for you.
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ June 10, 2024I’ve started another small project. Not ready to tackle another big one yet 🙂
hettyanddaisy
/ June 9, 2024You have really put me to shame. I love the purple fabric. Mr Fox looks foxy and quite happy in his surround.
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ June 10, 2024You’ve nothing to be ashamed of. I’m surprised you stitched at all. The purple fabric has been in my stash for years. I think it was waiting for pansies 🙂
kathyreeves
/ June 9, 2024Beautiful finishes Avis! Those fabrics are perfect matches. I love the fox’s face, so realistic!
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ June 10, 2024There are lots thread colours in the fox. It made a nice change to stitching the large blocks of colour in the pansies 🙂
rutigt
/ June 11, 2024I love the fabric you used for your table runner and the little fox is gorgeous! 🙂
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ June 13, 2024I don’t know how the fabric survived untouched in my stash for so long!
rutigt
/ June 17, 2024🙂
marymargaretripley
/ June 12, 2024Wowsers both of these are beautiful and the fox is adorable! I honestly never use a blunt needle. I prefer the regular needle. So what’s your next project Avis 🤔
Sewing Beside the Sea
/ June 13, 2024I was introduced to John James Petites cross stitch needles by Claire a few years ago and I’ve never looked back. They are shorter than other needles and I much prefer using them. I’ve started my next project. It’s by the same designer as the fox but a different animal. I felt the need for another small project. I’m hoping to finish it the same way as the fox.