Last November (a full six months ago) my sister asked if I would make two small runners to put in the window boxes in her flat in London. She shares her time between Colorado and London due to her husband’s career. Once their kids were up and out, it became possible for her to travel back and forth so she could actually spend some time with her husband. It is an exciting time for her as she makes new friends and learns to live the city life.
When they rented a little flat, she started to fix it up and make it feel like home. She has plants in the windows and wanted a runner to put under them. The window sill is about 14″ x 36″ and the runners measure 12″ x 35″. They (hopefully!) will fit just fine.
It was fun to pick colors for these. My sister asked for teal and some red. I sent a few ideas and we ended up with this combination of Sashiko Florette (teal), Corsage Charm, Terra Firma Sunlit, and Kohkhloma Burgundia for the pop or red. All of these are Art Gallery fabrics from my shop and as always, even though they are from three different lines, they look great together. 
This simple pattern was inspired by Anorina’s tutorial over at her blog, Samelia’s Mom. I made it a bit smaller and only made three blocks for each runner. It came together quickly.
While I did use the same fabric for each, I reversed the red fabric with the light blue floral on each runner, just to mix things up a bit. I looked at this project as a great opportunity to practice some free motion quilting.
For the four inch square blocks on both pieces, I quilted a large flower. The other sections were filled in with loops, squiggles and leafy vines.
When I put these side by side, I could picture it as a larger quilt and it would look great.
When I was just about done quilting these, I remembered I wanted to quilt a word or something more personal on the runner. But seriously, I was at the very end! I managed to squish in the word sister. Not terribly creative but i didn’t think of it in time.
Anyway, it took far too long to make these little guys but they are done and ready for the mail. My sister is heading back to England soon so frugal side motivated me to get them done and in the mail so I will be mailing them to Colorado and not to England. Saves a couple of dollars….
Now that I can check this project off the list, I am ready to move on to something else. Much as I am itching to start something new, I will be disciplined and pick up one of my unfinished projects and get going!
However, sewing will have to wait until next week. This weekend is going to be busy with my husband continuing to pull out that lower deck. This afternoon I had a dumpster delivered for the huge piles of scrap wood that are piling up on the property. Hope you have an equally fun weekend planned!! Whatever is on the agenda, enjoy your weekend.
Such a bright cheerful mix of fabrics. Good for you for practicing your Quilting. Your sister will love them! Beth
Thank you Beth. My quilting has gotten rusty. I haven’t free motion quilted a whole lot lately. So, it is a good thing to find a way to practice!
Love your fabric picks on these little runners! That red is quite luscious and ornate, yet plays so well with the more modern designs. I’m sure your sister will love them, and think of you every time she sees them 🙂
I just love that red print – the look of it is sort of bohemian to me. It is a Pat Bravo fabric – so pretty!
The runners are cute! I love the fabrics, especially that red print! Enjoy your weekend, Bernie, whether quilting or working on that deck! Keep the lemonade handy!
Thank you Wendy. That red print is a favorite of mine too. We got a lot done on the deck. I use the term “we” loosely. He is the one doing all the hard work…. I am just a helper. 😉
They turned out beautifully. Be sure to have your sister send pictures of your runners in their new home!
She goes back the first week of June. I am sure she will send pictures. I hope they work well for her.
These are delightful—and such a happy color combo. When you said your sister lives part of the year in London, I thought you were going to say that you were packing yourself up to go with her to see for yourself how those will fit on the windowsills. Make sure she takes photos. Have fun with that big project, and stay hydrated!
No trips to London in the works. I spend all my travel budget on trips to Vermont! But she will send a picture, I’m sure. Ray made really good progress on the deck today before stopping for a bbq at his brother’s house. But that is all we have on schedule for tomorrow so he should get a ton done. Hope you are enjoying the weekend.
Ahhh, I cannot wait to get these back to our flat. They will definitely cheer things up!
Good! I hope so. Send pics when you get back home so I can see. 🙂
I love Art Gallery fabrics, and these work together beautifully. I can just picture those runners in the windowsills under your sister’s house plants. 🙂 They look so pretty and happy!
Oh Beth, me too. I am a huge fan of Art Gallery Fabric. I think they will look really pretty with the house plants too. Thanks so much for the comment!
Really pretty Bernie! Love the colors – they would go well in my kitchen. 🙂
Thanks Linda. I am really happy with the results. Pretty colors and hopefully just the right size. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend. I am totally enjoying the spring weather and hope the heat holds off as long as possible.
I bet the runners will fit perfectly and be a fun touch of home for her. I love a good dumpster and have been tempted to get one recently just for yard waste and downsizing! I hope the deck removal goes smoothly this weekend.
These table runners are very pretty!! Love the color and print combination.
These are great runners. I never thought to make something to put under plants.
The small runners are a great idea! And I love the colors also! Home ownership is sometimes a lot of work. It gets harder and harder the older, Mr B and I get!
So bright and cheery ; lucky sister! 🙂