Wednesday, August 23, 2017

I May Have A Scrap Problem...Table Runners!


Hi, all!

After last week's post about pillow covers, it occurred to me that I have made a couple of table runners from scraps - it's another great, quick and simple way to use up scraps from a project and they make fabulous gifts!


This table runner was made with the trimmings from this quilt...


...so it was truly made from scrap - the pieces that would normally have been thrown away.  And yet it's one of my favorite pieces!


And this pretty little runner, made with what I trimmed away from the polaroid blocks in my daughter's birthday quilt, has been a very popular piece - two customers who came to talk to me about t-shirt quilts have ordered one for themselves!  Fortunately, there were a lot of trimmings from the original quilt!

Those are just a couple of examples that I've made, but here are some more that I found on Instagram and Pinterest to inspire you...


I love this use of a modified drunkard's path block!


And how simple is this?  Great for leftover layer cake pieces...


You all should know by now that I love the Charming Stars block pattern - now I need to make some of these table runners!  Maybe it will finally make a dent in that box of Christmas scraps...


And this is such a great idea - a table runner made using a full-size quilt pattern as a starting point!  This is based on Christa Watson's Sealed With a Kiss quilt pattern.  Just imagine - you could make one and use up the scraps from a quilt at the same time!




I love this simple but effective rope pattern - and I have lots of spare HSTs!


And folks, winter may be coming, but fall will be here sooner than you know!  Wouldn't this be a terrific table runner for Thanksgiving?

Table runners are an excellent way to use up things like the wide leftover fabric strips from your quilt back and batting scraps, too.  I bet you're eyeing all those scraps a little differently now - will you have a new runner on your table next week?

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And here's my Gypsy Wife quilt block for this week - this one is called "From The Heart".  I'm really loving how these are turning out, using my Latitude batik scraps from Kate Spain.


I had so much fun today - I was planning to make this block, then cut out kits for the next two blocks to take on vacation with me.  But, rather like potato chips, it's hard to make just one, so I actually made all three blocks - but I'll be sharing them with you one at a time over the next two weeks.

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Now I have a question for you - what is your favorite kind of scrappy sewing?  Do you only use your scraps for quilts, or do you use them for smaller gift or home decor items?  Enquiring minds want to know!

Hugs!

Sarah

23 comments:

  1. such variety here of table runners another make to add to my to do list

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  2. I really want to use my scraps and make some wonky log cabin quilts. I think they would be great for the quilt ministry plus help get some of those scraps gone.

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  3. I love to sew my scraps into 9-patches. If the scrap is at least 1 1/2", it becomes a p 9-patch. I give myself permission to throw anything smaller away.

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  4. Mostly table runners, mug rugs and many quilts are my favorites for scraps.
    Very pretty table toppers...I need to make more of those and mug rugs, too.
    Oooh I love how your gypsy Wife is coming...
    seeing how it comes together is fun to watch...hugs, Julierose

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  5. I gather them in big bags and cut as needed for the next scrappy project, but I have so much now that I am selling them off as grab bags in a studio sale. I am so tired of the same prints!

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  6. well if you got scraps, use them! i shop my scraps for everything....

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  7. Fantastic use of the scraps! And yours are so bright and cheery too!

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  8. I use scraps for making patchwork baby bibs, improv blocks, and sewing greeting cards! Scraps are never thrown in my trash...they all have a purpose! Thanks for several good ideas for table runners!

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  9. I just finished 4 blocks, Scrap Jar Stars, and I can't decide if I want a wall hanging or a table runner!! And I am waiting for a new book tomorrow of table runners. I will have to change my tablescape every week at this rate! LOL Love the ones you have showcased here.

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  10. I only make quilts. I have some kind of mental block against making anything else, just can't seem to get it done. But I've made many scrap quilts, both baby quilts, but primarily huge full size scrap quilts. They take a while, but I NEVER run out of scraps, nor do I ever seem to make a dent in my scraps. There is no taming that monster!
    I also make dog beds out of the scraps that are too small to use in quilts. Scraps of fabric, batting, thread, and yarn, and occasionally scraps of old clothing. Lots of my friends collect their scraps for me, so when I go to quilt retreats, I return home with a car packed with dog bed scraps. I then go through them and cut them up to small size - and make sure there aren't any needles included. I've found many needles and pins over the years, unintentionally thrown in with the scraps, I'm sure, as well as bobbins, paper, and other types of trash. Many things wouldn't make any difference, but I obviously wouldn't want to take any chance of including a needle in one of the dog beds!

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  11. I have so many quilt wishes that I don't have the time to make other projects any more

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  12. Thanks for all of the inspiration! They are all beautiful.

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  13. Love the mid-century modern look of that first table runner.

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  14. I love scrap quilts of all kinds. I make table runners, art quilts, doll quilts, big scrap quilts, pin cushions, and other things with my scraps.

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  15. Hi Sarah!
    I really enjoyed seeing all the table runner ideas. This brings up a question I have: if using leftover decorator fabric (which to me is stiff) would you attempt to piece something like a table runner? OR...just use large pieces? Also, what kind of batting (if any) would you use with said decorator fabric?
    Debbie
    ollieami@aol.com

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  16. I love making scrap quilts of all sizes but also like to use up every little bit of the leftovers right away whenever I can. Any trimmings from squaring up fabric are saved to make my wrap bowls. Other favorite things to make are zip bags, pin cushions, totebags, pillow covers, floor rugs, placemats, table runners, mug rugs and more scrap quilts. Leftover pieces of binding are saved and sewn together and used on scrap quilts too. When all else fails I donate coordinated bags of scraps to our sharing table at Guild. It is fun to always have items ready to give away or donate to a worthy cause.

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  17. So many fun scrappy table runners. Great inspiration.

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  18. Love your tablerunners! Yeah for people commissioning you to make them one. =) And thanks for the eye candy of ideas for more.

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  19. Loved seeing the table runners! I have a bunch of 6" Christmas charms that I traded through the internet a couple of years ago. I finally found an idea I can use for them! I love making table runners and toppers to use my scraps but I've also started incorporating them into my backs. It makes them more interesting and saves on backing fabric.

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  20. Can you help me find a pattern for the table runner under the chopsticks and bowl?
    Thank you, Donna

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    1. Donna, that was a runner I made from scraps from another project, and I just designed it on the fly. Sorry I didn't take notes!!

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