Sunday, November 20, 2011

Modern Christmas Table Runner swap package - done!

It's a lovely feeling, having your swap package done. Finished in perfect time, and feeling pretty happy with it too. It's always when I'm packing my package up to post off that I remember that I am going to get a package in return from a secret partner...I know that we all comment in the Flickr group and are watching each other's creations but somehow, it never seems real that one of them might be coming to me until I have upheld my part of the bargain!

So, without further ado, here it is, my little Christmas swap package for my secret partner.

Swap package


I got the quilting finished up after putting the backing on. The long strip is from the fabric I bought for Emily's Christmas charm swap - a happy accident that this fell out of my sewing basket when I was trying to figure out what to do for the back as I had forgotten I had it. The blue fabric is also a Christmas fabric and I think they are good together.

Christmas table runner back


I auditioned a few different fabrics for the binding and did wonder about my red choice as it really brings the red up in the runner. But I hope my partner likes it!


Minimalist Trees Modern Christmas Table Runner for swap


So here it is in all its finished glory - and thank you to everyone for all the lovely comments on in during the making of it. I really like the combination of handquilting and dense machine quilting in the negative space and I hope that my partner does too.



I know some people have asked for a tute for this one, but, honestly, the triangles were an experimental kind of process and I didn't find them easy. With everything going on at the moment in the run up to Christmas, I just don't have the time or the patience to figure them all out again. Nor could I put my family through a 2nd bout of the swearing that accompanied them!! But I will try and do a tute in the New Year for it, as I think it would work really well in non- seasonal fabrics too.

Once I finished hand sewing the binding on last night (yes, handsewing my binding, you read that right, I always handsew for swaps even though I usually machine my quilts) my thoughts turned to my ornament. I had pinned about 20 different inspiration ideas on my Christmas Pinterest board and the one in the top left corner really appealed to me - particularly as it tied in with the trees on the runner.

                                                                       Source: megatropolis.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest


So, I had a little fun running it up. I added some stars at the tops of the trees, and handstitched them down with perle cotton rather than doing it with the machine. I think its pretty and must do a couple for the house here before Christmas - I can see a row of them hanging on my wall! 

Christmas trees hoop ornament


I also made my partner a super simple little heart to hang on her tree - I have a few of these on my tree every year and just love them.



So, it is ready for the post office which unfortunately I don't think I will get to tomorrow as I have to travel for work and have to leave earlier than expected in the morning. But it will be there first thing Tuesday and from there it will be a mystery as to how long it takes to get to its destination!

I want to say a huge thanks to Susan who has been a fab and totally inspiring swap mama and has run a brilliant swap. She gathered a great and incredibly talented group of ladies so I really can't wait to see which of the fab runners arrives at my house.

Minimalist trees Modern Christmas Table Runner

And finally - thanks to everyone for the congratulations on reaching 1000 followers on Google Friend Connect, I'm totally thrilled!! I seem to have roughly the same again through Reader and other feeds. It's still quite amazing to me that so many people like to pop by and look at what I'm making and read my ramblings, but I just love that you do, and I adore when you're interested in chatting too :-) So, well, what else can I say other than I am organising a little giveaway to celebrate so stay tuned in the next couple of weeks!

Also, don't forget to pop by for my block tutorial on Wednesday for the 12 Days of Christmas Sampler QuiltAlong - even if you're not taking part I think it would make a nice little doll quilt type wall hanging or table topper and I promise - it's easy peasy and fun!!

Ok, so I'm linking up as always to some of my absolute favourite linky gatherings - {Sew} Modern Monday, Manic Monday and Fabric Tuesday. Go have a peek for some great inspiration! I'm also entering the runner in this month's Celebrate Colour pool:

Celebrate Color

38 comments:

Canadian Abroad said...

A swap is a success when there are people like you participating. Thanks! Your runner is fabulous and whoever your partner might be (hmmm?!) they are going to be happy. Hope you love the one headed your way too!

Anonymous said...

It's all terrific and your swap partner is very lucky. I think the red on the binding is just the right amount and perfect. Thanks for sharing your beautiful creations.

Karen said...

Your swap partner is so very lucky. I really like the Christmas table topper. I am looking forward to your quilt along.

Sarah said...

Love it! Your extras are really lovely too :-)

Annabella said...

It`s all so beautiful and made all the more so for the care and attention you obviously pay to your makes. Hopefully it`s coming to me! I love the backing and that strip of fabric you have used and the red binding (hand sewn?) is adorable!

Manda said...

Great parcel! The runner is lovely and I love the hoop! Lucky partner! :)

Shocking Hocking said...

looks fantastic sarah - and just love that hoop - might have to make a couple myself!

Susan said...

What a wonderful parcel! The red binding is perfect, the hoop adorable and so is the heart! I know your partner will love it, I just wish it was ME!!!

felicity said...

I always forget I'm getting something in swaps, I'm so focused on finishing my own package!

felicity said...

p.s. beautiful package! Your partner is very lucky!

Becky (My Fabric Obsession) said...

I love it all! That hoop is wonderful! great job.

The Sunflower Patch said...

Wow! What an awesome package to find in the mail box :) Your partner is a lucky lady for sure.
Was the hoop hard to do? I have never done anything like that,but would love to try it.

Lynne said...

The table runner is gorgeous and the ornaments are so cute.

tusen said...

The runner is great and I like the red binding very much. Your partner is lucky :)

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Totally wonderful package for a really lucky partner-you did great, as always xxx

Judith, Belfast said...

What a gorgeous package for one v.lucky duck! Love your embroidered hoop! V.well done S. Jxo

Anonymous said...

what a wonderful swap parcel to receive for your lucky swap partner,well done,i love it.

Elizabeth Dackson said...

Wow, what a lovely package of swap goodies, Sarah!!! I especially love the hoop, so cute!!

memmens said...

Well done you another gorgeous piece of work!

Carla said...

What a great swap! Lucky partner. I love, love, love the hoop gift. I definitely have to give it a try.

Jessica Kelly said...

Such a great swap package! Your table runner is just to die for, and I also think I need to make a few of those hoops! Just adorable! Great job Sarah!!

Shannon said...

How fabulous! I love your runner and the embroidered Christmas tree hoop is just darling! Hooray for your partner!

Heather D. said...

All of it is so awesome! The runner is fantastic and the embroidery is adorable. Your partner will be thrilled!

Kelli said...

It's all so cute! Great job!

Teje said...

Hi! I love all the 'packet'! Rally beautiful table runner and the small 'picture' with trees is really cute! x Teje

Wendy said...

What a lucky, lucky partner! I've loved watching your runner come together, it looks amazing! Love the little extras too.

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

I love the runner and the decorations!! Your partner is going to be thrilled!

Katy Cameron said...

Ooh, love the runner, ornament and hoop, all fab!

Rebecca said...

The runner looks great! Beautiful job on the quilting and hand-stitching!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

What a gorgeous swap package! They are all lovely swaps :)

Unknown said...

ohh WOW!!! great wonderful packages....

Banner Design

Erin said...

Love that table runner! I think I may try it with my Sherbert Pips charm pack...

Rachel at Stitched in Color said...

Very, very cool design!

Eva said...

The runner is really pretty! I love the fabrics and the idea of combining hand- and machine quilting! Also, that ornament is just sooo cute!!! :-) No doubt your swap partner will be thrilled!

Aideen said...

i love this! i'm making a table runner at the moment and using this one as inspiration. i love the modern look to it, especially the christmas tree triangles!

Sparky said...

Stunning Sarah...in March we are having a RUNNER month...any theme..would you like to show case this at sewwequilt.com love to have you...mdm samm

Nicki said...

Sarah, I just came across this beautiful table runner. I love the quilting you did around the trees & the echos throughout. Could you please tell me what fabric line you used for this runner (manufacturer...name of line)? Thank you & Merry Christmas/2012...

Ellie said...

I love this table runner! Since a year has gone by since you posted it, and you mentioned that you might try to make a tutorial, I was wondering if you'd done so?