Tuesday, December 11, 2012

The Totally Different from Planned Table Runner



The Plan:  Make a table runner.

I started by selecting a pile of fabrics including mostly Chicopee and Madrona Road.  Then I made this star block (which is huge at 18in square!)


Next I made this:  


I then started a paper pieced star but decided I was wasting too much of the fabric (am I the only one who wastes fabrics when paper piecing???) so I abandoned that idea and decided to make a wonky star.  But I wanted to do something different for the center so I came up with this:


I put the 3 blocks together in a row and it just didn't work - this last star is significantly smaller and since I had run out of the background fabric, I used a similar but different color which did not coordinate well.  

I  really liked the center of this block (I can do a tutorial if anyone is interested?) so I made a few more of the centers.


And another wonky star.


I still wasn't liking any combination of the blocks so I made some slightly wonky flying geese and came up with this.


I then considered abandoning the table runner idea and making a quilt.


Maybe - but since I still wanted to make the table runner, I put aside the 3 original blocks and quilted the runner.

The Finish:

  

I wrote this post two weeks ago and I'll be writing part two soon but for now here is a peek.


I'm sure I'm not the only one to  go through this process, right???

21 comments:

  1. I have definitely experienced starting in one place and ending up somewhere else entirely with quilting. It usually works out ok though - like with your gorgeous table runner. I love the centre of the stars - it kind of looks like chopped up hourglass blogs. I would definitely be interested in a tutorial.

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  2. Nope, you are not alone. In fact, I am currently making a scrap quilt, which includes things I have pieced long ago but just didn't use as intended.

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  3. Love it! Sometimes projects develop a mind of their own and you just have to let them! Loving the wonky stars!

    Oh and I use quite a bit fabric when paper piecing - I just chuck the off cuts into my scrap bin for future pp projects!

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  4. Your runner looks amazing - love all of the different blocks, especially the wonky stars.

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  5. You are definitely not alone! This is why I don't always post about work in progress because I change my mind a hundred times before I finish something -- it's the perfectionist in me. This turned out great! I do love your big blocks too, though -- can't wait to see how they turn out!

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  6. Looking pretty cool, even if it wasn't a straight line process getting there! I don't always want to plan things out fully, it's nice to make it up a bit, but i usually get to the end and think it would have been a lot easier if I had!!

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  7. Oh it's gorgeous!! I love that it's not exactly what you set out to do and yes, we all have that sometimes with usually the best results. The solids you used are perfect.

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  8. I love seeing other people's "improvised" projects!

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  9. No you are not. I do that all the time. I have a vision in my mind and sometimes my vision does not always translate well to fabric. Your table runner is very cute!

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  10. You are NOT the only one! Very fun!

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  11. The individual blocks are all beautiful!! And I love the finish!

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  12. Am I seeing a real-life human-sized (instead of baby-sized) quilt?!? I can't wait to see the whole thing!

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  13. Love it, the quilting is perfect for it!

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  14. You did a fantastic job! Wish I could be more of a free spirit!

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  15. Lovely evolving progress. I change my mind about things as I work on them quite often too :)

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  16. I think we all go through that process. The table runner turned out beautiful. I love the stars. Looking forward to the reveal.

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  17. I love process photos!
    And I think your table runner is fabulous and I definately want a tute for your centre :-)
    Don't you love when everything is positive!!
    E

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  18. Love your improv style! And, I dive right in too, otherwise I would over think too much.

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