On Saturday I had a plan: DH was going to be at work, younger daughter was taking the ACT, younger son was on a twenty-five mile bike ride through the Valley of Fire…I was going to start some new projects and sew, sew, sew! One look at my sewing room, though, and I knew I had to clean first. What I thought might take an hour ended up taking nearly six, and with the amount of unfinished projects I found, I told myself that I couldn’t start anything new until I finished up some of the things I found while cleaning. First up was this darling table-runner. I had purchased the fabrics which came with a free pattern at a shop hop three or four years ago. I usually don’t buy panels, but this fabric had a panel with three reproduction vintage Christmas handkerchiefs that I fell in love with (oops, I should have ironed them before the picture)! I especially love the little Santa near the chimney. With the coordinating fabrics I only needed to piece four snowflake star blocks, and then I was ready to put it together.
Unfinished Projects No More!
This went together especially easy because I used my “Angler.” My quilting friends either love or hate this little tool. I happen to love it…it eliminates the need to draw diagonal lines on the back of fabrics when making “flying geese” or “snowflake” blocks. I keep my angler and some painter’s tape right next to my machine and then attach it whenever needed.
While cleaning I also realized that when I made all of those table runners a while back I hadn’t made the bindings nor gathered backs for them. I took some time to catch up on my bindings…and now the bindings jar is full, not another one will fit; I’d better get busy sewing some on!
Oh, and I also found this reversible apron that I started at the Ruby’s Inn retreat nearly two years ago. It was finished except for the top-stitching, so I sat right down and finished it! It’s reversible, and you can see that I messed up on the blue/green side and ended up with my blues on one side and the greens on the other. I like the version on the left better. It was a great way to use some of these fun Amy Butler prints. You should have seen the variety at the retreat…there were Christmas versions, Halloween versions, and reproduction versions. It takes 4 coordinating fat quarters for each side and makes up in just a couple of hours.
This week I’ll start the new projects…my sewing room is clean, and I’m feeling great since I’ve put a few more unfinished projects onto the finished pile!
Happy sewing!
Tina says
Yay! It always feels so good to clean up and get unfinished projects done so they’re not hanging over your head! Congrats.
Quilter Going Bananas says
Finishing up UFOs is great! Love your binding jar, what a fabulous idea! I also adore the bag you made in your last post and using scraps too? even better!
Bunny says
Loved visiting your blog. Love all your projects and your binding jar, great idea. I also love to start projects when my sewing room is clean. I love all your tablerunners and your apron. Nice work.
quilterpolly says
what a good feeling:) how fun!! It is so nice to get UFO’s done!!! You go girl:)
KrisinTN says
More beautiful items from your sewing room! I always love reading your blog just to see what new creations you’ll spit out today!
Sandra :) says
The apron is great — you made a “design choice” – you didn’t mess up! The Christmas tablerunner is fantastic – I’d be tempted to keep that out all year round -it’s so pretty, it would always put a smile on my face!
Joy says
Oooh, I LOVE your bindings jar!! What a fabulous idea. How did you get the writing on it??
The Christmas tablerunner is really cute too :o).
Carrie P. says
Isn’t it nice to have a clean sewing room. Love the tablerunner.
Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie says
Hi Sherri, You always have the neatest things your sewing on. Love to come look at all your projects. I see all the little bags you’ve made at the back of your table, aren’t those fun and they take nothing but little scraps. Your runner is so cute and finishing all those UFO’s you get a hand.
Keep Stitchen’
Bonnie
Mary says
I love that table runner and I always loved that hanky fabric. Also love the angler, although I get lazier and lazier about using it. Congratulations on actually finishing the UFOs. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Linda says
I love finishing projects – but it always seems a new one pops up just as that happens! Your work is wonderful!!
Wendy says
Way to go, finishing projects and having a clean sewing room. I love the binding jar idea, I should start one of them. Very cute apron.
Nanette Merrill and daughters says
That jar is so cute with the fabric in it. And I love reversible aprons. I know you live near the valley of fire. One time we visited my sister in Vegas and my dad was with us. I think I had 5 little kids and was pregnant with my 6th. Our van broke down in the valley of fire in the summer!!! It was awful. We would have been less upset if my dad hadn’t been with us because he lost it! But my poor husband with 5 kids, a pregnant wife and a nervous FIL!!! Unbelievable. We lived through it though. I wasn’t sure my dad would.
Love the vintage Christmas stuff. So so cute.
Red Geranium Cottage says
Love the aprons!!! Good luck with your UFO’s. And love the binding jar.
Stephanie says
Oh I just love the vintage hankie table runner. I have a binding bin but I love your jar much better!!!
ivoryspring says
WOW – that tablerunner is simply gorgeous. The apron is lovely too. You have definitely been busy!!!
BusyLittleQuilter says
I love my Angler, also.
Doesn’t it feel great to finish some projects? I have finished quite a few this year, but I have lots more to go.
I love the aprons and the table runners.