Coming up for Air

44 comments
Most every moment spent at my machine this past weekend was spent quilting. I know the reason I will never want a specialized quilting machine. I only like machine quilting in small doses. Lucky for me TCM was having an Alfred Hitchcock weekend. I don't quite know why but I seem to always overdo everything. (e.g. 8 children) One of the 8 table runners I am making is 82"x23". What was I thinking? Who has a table that accommodates a table runner of that size? And who tries to make 8 table runners in a couple weeks?
And then I proceeded to micro quilt the cottages in the biggest runner. This cottage above has quilting following the lines of the roof and the brick. I think I spent 3 hours total quilting the big runner on Saturday.
I fussy cut some of that Paris street fabric that I showed on Friday for the upstairs window. The 2nd house in that runner has less quilting though. And so on. But still I know I still went way overboard. Once you start quilting there is no stopping until the project is finished.
This cottage has the least quilting. With 2 more cottage runners to quilt (out of the 8) I will not make that mistake again. Less is more, isn't it?
There is no way I can even take a photo of the whole thing. It is just too long.
I stippled the outside border parts of this runner. I used vintage home dec kitchen fabric to border it that I have had for many years. I still have tons left of the border fabric. I liked using fabric on hand and the vintage home dec fabric gives it a table cloth look.
The tumblers were so much easier to machine quilt and took far less time. I quilted bows into the tumbler bow pattern of the runner. I don't know if you can tell from this photo.
I simplified the quilting on the other tumbler runner. Hey. I have a deadline! I was going to try some new machine quilting techniques using blue painters tape. But after a 7 foot table runner I had to set that idea aside.

Gotta run. My machine is calling me. I'll be quilting. And when that is over I'll be binding.

-nanette
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44 comments

Trisha said...

Wow that IS a long runner! I bet it is the cutest little village ever. After it is all done you will be glad you put that much time into it. Where are you going to put it?

Lori Holt said...

Holy quilting and binding Nanette!
Everything is just adorable and I love your use of vintage fabrics- they make your projects so sweet and well, "vintagy" ( i know thats not a word but i use it all the time)
I'm glad Hitchcock was there to keep you entertained...I'll see you tomorrow,
Lori

Mary said...

You are ONE ambitious woman!! I only have 4 kids and I know that I would not have accomplished that much work in that much time. You make me tired just to read about it. I DO love some fussy cutting. Too. Too. Precious.

Jodi Nelson said...

That is one LONG table runner! LOL But they are so fantastic! And you must visit my blog! I made a couple things I know you'll like. ;o) ooxx`jod

jacquie said...

that is one BIG tablerunner, but it would fit my table with all the leaves in it. it gets really big! less is more...i'm not sure you're that kind of person...oh well.

Di~ said...

You are funny, I love that you admitted that!:) Love the table runner in spite, the border fabric is exquisite! Glad you had fun!

Susan said...

I LOVE your little cottages and the quilting looks great! Nice job!

Kim Walus said...

I have a table that long. Hint! Hint! BTW I must've missed who and what you're making all those table runners for. Is it for Christmas? I enjoyed seeing all of the cottages and they will be great tablerunners. Binding 8? Wow, that will take you a while especially since they are so long. You should have a binding party where all we do is help you bind. That would get it done1

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

NOOOO, not the binding, that is the worst!! Your quilting is beautiful and the houses are just darling, but I love your work and the 8 who receive those~~~ some very lucky people!!! and when it comes to receiving your work, more is better than less!!!!

Betsy said...

Nanette, like you I have made several runners at the same time. Not 8 though.
The long one will be fabulous for what we southerns called a Hutch board(Buffet), credenza or a long computer table like mine.
As usual your fabric selection is outstanding.

Sherri said...

Wow...you sure did get some sewing done! And everything looks wonderful too...those cottages are just classic!

Mushyhed said...

Oh my... you've got yourself a runner producing sweatshop going on there :0). Loving all your great runners. Lucky, lucky recipients!

Unknown said...

Have you come you for air? You make me want to go play with my machine right now!!!

Anonymous said...

V. here... Your fabrics and runners are wonderful!! i had to study each one. It is so fun to see each individual fabric that you use. No two look alike. Also, I wish I could machine like you. The stippling is great. Have you told before the kind of machine you use?/ Thanks. v.

MichelleB said...

A seven foot table runner. I love it! They sure are cute. Love those tumblers and the quilting that you did.

jen duncan said...

Holy cow WOWEE! Nanette. OH I want so badly to stop cleaning and organizing (baby's asleep) and go build fabric houses RIGHT NOW! DANG these are sweet. And it's brilliant how you flip every other one, so that no matter where your guests are sitting they don't feel upside down. :-) Wonderful work!!

em's scrapbag said...

The seven foot table runner might be just the ticket at your next ward dinner. WOW! That is long. Less is more is a favorite saying of mine. But I will agree with Jacquie not sure that your that kind of person.

Kaaren said...

Yikes! No grass can grow under your feet...or should I say machine, Nanette.

I love them all, including the 7' one. Heck, I'd buy a new table to accommodate it!

Dawn said...

Holy Cow!! Are you getting a jump start on Christmas?? Well, at the end of your merathon I will be the one with a big sign that says, "Way to go Nanette"!!

Joy said...

Look at you go!!!! I'm impressed Nanette :o)!!!
If I was to get started now I could avoid that panic mid December when I'm STILL trying to finish Chrissy pressies LOL!!!!
Love your work :o)!!
Hugs,
Joy :o)

Micki said...

I love your cottages, but really I love everything you do!
Micki

Mel said...

I too bite off more than I can chew, but you are so good at what you do! More is better!

dotti white said...

Nanette....your table runners are beautiful. Your quilting is amazing but I'm that way wanting to do other sewing instead of just quilting! Keep on going to make your deadline!

Janet said...

What a mammoth task, I think I have stash envy, you have some fabulous fabrics in the houses, keep going, I bet you can see the end coming up.

Unknown said...

Nanette, Your quilting is wonderful! But I had to laugh, you asked who has a table that long? Well, I thought to myself, "Nanette should have a table that long with 8 children?" Seems right? I just love the cottages and all your fussy cutting is terrific.

Jodie said...

perhaps you need a little sign on your machine that say "Less is more", but they do look fantastic!

Unknown said...

Wow they are all so beautiful and well worth the effort , love them .

Thimbleanna said...

Hey, I have a table that long, if you can't find a home for it ;-)! Looks like you're making great progress Nanette -- they're going to love those table runners!

Shaunab said...

I love your houses. Great job!!

Elizabeth said...

You are certainly an overachiever and I mean that in a really good way!!

Patsy said...

I love your materials. Is there a pattern for the houses? I have a 90 inch table (with no leaves) so an 82-in. runner would be great. However, I have never made an 82-in tablerunner! Good luck on getting all the runners completed. You are almost there!

West Michigan Quilter said...

Your houses are so cute. I love the way you've fussy cut them. What a fun weekend for you.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

Good grief, Nanette, you've really gone overboard on the table runners! Looks like there will be some happy runner recipients around there soon! The houses look so sweet. And I like the tumblers, too.

Red Geranium Cottage said...

You are on a roll over there. Your little houses are just the cutest. I love each one of them.

Sherry said...

You are always such an inspiration! Love your work. :)

Simone de Klerk said...

Lovely homes and great quilting! I love your tumbler runner too.

Karen said...

OK Nanette, I have to agree...that is one very long table runner, but all of those cute little cottages needed a very long 'street' to be built on. I think I would like to live in the one with the green polka dot roof;)

quiltingnana said...

you're certainly ambitious ....more power to ya

Dresden Quilter said...

All your work is beautiful. I say have fun with the table runners. Less can be more, but too much can be stress. Your cottages are so adorable. I have never made one before.

Messy Karen said...

love your tumblers. and the fussy cutting on the cottages for sure makes them one-of-a-kind. fantastic work.

Joanna said...

Nanette, I am in awe that you quilt all of that little detail on your regular machine. I tried to do a small wallhanging (23x23) on my domestic, and about killed myself. I couldn't do it! Sure, I can quilt on a 14 foot frame, but give me something little and I can't do it at all. You do superb work and it all turned out so beautifully! I really seriously am jealous of your talent! :)

Within A Quarter Inch said...

Wow. Wonderful. From design to fabric choice to quilting. Simply. Wonderful.

Nan said...

You are AMAZING!! I am so impressed with your quilting and am in love with your fabric choices (as always. The 7' runner is beautiful. I know you will find the perfect home for it. Thank goodness for TCM!!

sewtakeahike said...

I love the bows on your tablerunner Nanette. It's completely fabulous but the bows really caught my eye!