If you have the need for a quick project, why not try a wholecloth table runner? It goes much faster than piecing a project, and turns out just as (if not more) fabulous!
I started with a design I created using Electric Quilt (EQ7). I used the Card Basket block and repeated it three times with a small inner border and larger outer border.
Then I printed out the 8″ block in full size so I could easily transfer to fabric.
I used my design print out to plan my quilting.
Once I was happy with the plan, I taped my block printout to my light box.
Next, you’ll want to mark the center of your fabric. I simply fold the piece in half one direction and then in half the other direction and finger press. It marks the fabric just enough to line up the drawings.
Then you line up the fabric fold over the center of the block print out.
Using a chalk pencil trace over the block lines.
As I move my fabric over I use a ruler to maintain the straight line to trace the next block.
It is always a good idea to shut off the light box every so often to make sure you have traced all the block lines. Mark any areas you might have missed.
Then move the fabric again to mark the third block. Use the ruler to line up and keep the edges straight. If you are having a hard time seeing the chalk lines when the light box in on, you can mark the edges with pins before moving the fabric
Once all blocks are traced, you will want to draw the borders. In my EQ7 design I had a 1/2″ inner border and a 2″ outer border. These are marked using the ruler.
Now your design is transferred and you are ready for quilting.
Load your backing fabric on the Gammill as you normally would. I am using two layers of a poly batting as I want a trapunto look and also want the table runner to be firm and unwavering.
Place your fabric with the transferred design on top of the double batting. Begin by basting outside of the marked edge.
Then stitch along the marked edge line of the outer border.
I like to stitch a few times around between the outer edge (shown with scissor point) and the basting line. It keeps the edges flat and out of my way while quilting.
Then quilt all the border lines.
Once all border lines have been stitched, it is time to stitch the block lines.
As I want a trapunto look, I quilt my background areas fairly dense. I use the fills to cut through to other block lines in an attempt to stitch with the least amount of starts and stops possible
You can see the majority of line stitching is finished and where the background areas were used to cut through to the next area.
Then I go back and fill and stitch the center areas.
I accidentally dropped my snips and ripped the fabric. As we all know, these things happen. I could have started over, but instead I made a design change and micro-stippled over the rip. You can barely see it at the scissor point. There is no need to toss the project, just work with the mistake.
Continue stitch the background design and filling areas necessary to create the trapunto effect.
Then fill your outer border. I chose feathers as they compliment just about everything.
After stitch the feathers, go back and fill around them, adding more trapunto effect.
And it’s done – and beautiful!
It really is a super quick and easy project. Now bind and enjoy!
by Karen Marchetti
Gammill Quilting Artist
www.creativelongarmquilting.com
www.gammilldevsite.wpengine.com