Zakka Style Shamrock Table Runner {a finished project}

Maybe it’s the warmer (finally!) weather or my love of the color green, but after making those Shamrock Pillows with the kids, I needed to sew something else green.  So, I fooled around with more applique, linen, and some hand stitching, and a Zakka Style Table Runner was born.

I used green fabric from my stash, including Jennifer Paganelli, Connecting Threads, True Colors, and a mystery green of unknown origin.

Does it look better with purple?

Or green? 

I like the simple look of the straight line stitching in natural colored thread on the applique and the gray perle thread outline on the linen.  What do you think the frog in the photo above is thinking?

I stitched only through the batting, with no backing, so the back is simply a piece of linen with edgestitching.  I went back and forth about using quilting weight cotton for the back and putting on binding, but I think the plain linen without binding is the perfect compliment to the front.

I used a 1/4” walking foot to do the edgestitching and it turned out very nice and even.  The finished size is 9.5” x 28.5”.

Originally these shamrock squares were going to be a pillow.  So I had a few squares left over.  I already gave away the finished runner, so this new one will be for our table.

These shamrocks better bring us some luck for spring weather.  Snow is in the forecast again!

Linking up to WIP Wednesday and Fort Worth Fabric Studio.

Hand Quilting

I have long admired the beautiful effect of hand quilting.  I’ve even attempted it before, but it didn’t turn out quite as I hoped.  Something about burying my threads and keeping the stitches even made it oh so unfulfilling.

Next week I’m going to be taking a hand quilting class (I need all the help I can get!) so I thought I’d share a photo of the fabric and thread I selected.  The supply list calls for 1 yard of material and 5 spools of coordinating size 8 Perle thread.  I can’t decide between these two Anna Maria Horner prints, one in blue and one in pink, so I’m bringing them both and hoping to make a decision once I get there.  Of course I’m also hoping that some day I’ll finish both coordinating pillows.  A girl can dream, right?

Have you seen this Perle thread before?  I’ve purchased mine from Quilt Taffy, Pink Chalk Fabrics, and even at Joann’s.  Do you have a favorite brand of needle to use?   I have a feeling that having the right needle will make the stitching so much easier.  But just like learning to sew, figuring out what works for hand quilting will be a process.

Here is what this photo shoot really looked like!  There are always two cats helping.

And if I’m inside the house, I am lucky enough to have a bird assistant, too! 

Happy Friday!