Last week, Dave started a short term contract so right now I’m sitting in a hotel room in L’Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec.
Fortunately this time, I remembered to bring our oldest daughter’s portable sewing machine so I’ve been sewing up a storm.
Unfortunately, I can’t show you most of what I’ve been sewing because they are gifts for my partner in the Santa Sack Swap that I signed up for back in June. It’s not a secret swap so my partner knows who I am and has my blog address. The rules say I have to keep her gifts secret but as a bit of a teaser, I think I’m safe if I give you (and maybe her) a sneak peek at one of her gifts while it was in progress. I’ve since finished it.
There are 32 little half square triangles in those piles. And when I say little, I mean little. Each was trimmed and squared up to 2” making the finished size of the blocks 1.5”.
I do have one other project in progress that I can show you because it’s not a gift. I’m making this tablerunner for us to use this Christmas. It’s from one of the kits I bought at the going out of business sale of Quilts & Calicos in Exeter, ON.
The Santa’s were used on using Thermoweb 17-Inch by 5-1/4-Yard Heat’n Bond Lite Iron-on Adhesive
It took a bit before I got into a rhythm and have the stitches fairly evenly spaced but as this is the first time I’ve used a blanket stitch to appliqué, I’m really pleased with how they turned out.
Have you started your Christmas crafting yet? If so, what things are you working on?
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5 Comments
Karen
September 8, 2013 9:32 amThe table runner is beautiful! I haven’t started ANY Christmas sewing. I wish I was as organized as you are!
Maartje Quilt,
September 1, 2013 12:23 pmI am curious to see what you make with those little hts’s.
I love the table runner and the applique Santa’s!
wendy
August 30, 2013 2:40 pmI am loving that Santa! have I started making Christmas gifts? Erm… no, isn’t that what Christmas Eve is for?? ;0)
kathleen babbitt
August 29, 2013 9:07 amI love you’re table runner. I always use a satin stitch for my appliques. I never thought of using a blanket stitch. will have to try that stitch next time. for christmas presents this year i’m working on dress up boxes for the girls on my list. I have netting cut out ready to be tied on elastic,, I made the new sassy scarves instead of boas that lose their feathers just looking at them . these are made with the new sassy yarn that looks like lace. I’m still looking for fancy adult small shoes they could clomp around in and this week I’ll be making capes. if you would like to see the lacy scarves I like this tutorial but there are a lot on youtube. http://cre8tioncrochet.com/2012/12/new-and-improved-sashay-scarf-pattern/
The more of these you make the quicker you get. it took me about 2 hours to make the first one but it’s getting quicker. the only thing I added was to use a knitting stitch holder or a safety pin you use for beads . If you drop a stitch it runs all the way to the beginning fustrating so I do 2 or 3 ruffles and insert a pin in ht elocking stitch before i go on this way it will stop the unwinding and it won’t continue to undo all of your work.
Kate
August 29, 2013 8:05 amI cannot imagine trying to sew half triangles into 2″ squares – kudos to you. Your Santa runner is adorable. I love making Christmas items any time of the year.
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