When I was in Vermont at the beginning of the month, I noticed the table runner on my daughter-in-law’s dining table. It was really simple and didn’t have any batting in it. I liked the flexible, casual look of it. I decided to give it a try and grabbed my stack of charm squares.
I have a rather large collection of Benartex charms. Have you heard of the Fabric Club at Benartex? (No affiliation – I just think it is kind of a fun subscription.). For $25 per year, Benartex sends the subscriber a newsletter and a set of 5″ squares from a new fabric line every three months. It is a rather inexpensive and fun way to see what is new with Benartex. Each set has a minimum of 20 charms, some have more than that depending on how many pieces are in the line.) The newsletter usually has a suggestion or pattern for the charms. I did this for quite a while (maybe two years?) and as a result have a number of these sets.
For this project, I decided to use a set called Pansy Noir. It is a rich collection of shades of purple, gold, black and green. Using a set of charms like this can be satisfying because the designer has already made sure there are a variety of scales and values in the set.
In this set, I love the contrast of sweet pansies, such a simple flower, with the rich swirls of purple and black. How do these designers come up with this?
I didn’t add anything to the set and made the runner with 21 of the 22 squares in the pack. So it measures about 14 x 30 inches. Using a silvery Sulky thread, I stitched straight lines going down the column (at the seam line) and across the rows (again at the seam) to hold it together when laundered. No binding makes this a 1/2 hour project. The backing is a pale lavender fabric from my stash.
This was a fun project to whip up during a time when I am getting very little sewing done. This summer I have noticed a large uptick in the orders rate at my shop. It is really rewarding to see this happening now that I have been in business for 18 months. Of course it takes away from my sewing time which is a trade off!
Otherwise, summer has been busy with house projects, gardening and taking pictures of Julia and Olive!! The fair is in two weeks so Julia has been really focused on training Olive for showing her at the fair.
Julia and Olive walking in the yard.
To increase stamina and muscle mass, Julia has been taking Olive on long walks. For much of the summer she would walk Olive around the perimeter of our property which was a nice long walk. Well, Olive is a very smart pig and learned that route quickly. Soon as she knew she was close to the end of the route, Olive would take off running to the pen (her source of food and mud!)
Strolling down the street!
Julia decided to mix it up and started walking her in our neighborhood, much to our neighbor’s delight. It is hysterical to see Julia and a pig strolling up our driveway and down the road. But Olive does really well. She is sometimes a bit startled by a horse or dog and it is nice to see Julia can redirect her when this happens. I think they will do well together in the show ring.
Heading down the driveway for home.
This weekend I am hosting a bridal shower for my soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Her parents are coming up here for the weekend which will be fun. I have met her mother only once and haven’t yet met her father. We will enjoy getting to know each other. Once again, another no-sew weekend – Such is life! Whatever your plans are, enjoy your weekend.
So is it hard for Julia to say goodbye to Olive at fair time? I think I’d get attached! Love the pictures of the two of them on their walk! That runner is really lovely; the pansy print is so pretty!
It is hard, kind of bittersweet. She loves handling her pig for the first several months – by the end, it is always super hot out and the pig gets so large she is more difficult to handle. So yes, she is sad to let her go but sort of ready to do it? Plus this is definitely a part-time job for which she gets paid when she auctions her pig off. Sometimes it is difficult for people to see how this all comes together, but when you are take part in this, it makes sense. 🙂
You know I am signing up for the fabric club, right? Love the fabrics in your runner and I love how quickly it will come together. A great idea so thank you for that. Even more delightful is seeing Julia and Olivia. I can’t tell you how much I look forward to the IG posts and these newsletters. Makes my day! Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful weekend with your soon to be In laws and the bridal shower.
well, of course you should sign up!!! You will enjoy it, I am sure. Share the charm squares on IG when you get them – it is a lot of fun.
Bernie, what a good idea for a table runner—no batting. But I’m amazed that it only took you a 1/2 hour to make. The top photo is magazine-worthy. I miss all your quilting projects, but it’s wonderful how your business has taken off. Have fun with the shower! (And piggy watching)
Hmmm….. maybe I underestimated it – But definitely less than an hour. The longest bit was choosing a layout – Julia and I usually do that together and it is a lot of fun. 🙂
OMG! I honestly don’t know what I like best, the table runner, or that last picture taken from behind of your daughter and Olive!!
Haha, the pictures of Julia and Olive area always super cute. Thanks Kathleen!
I’ve always wanted a pet pig! My husband says our bulldog is close enough because she sniffs & snorts like a pig. Your table runner is lovely & I love the color combination. I find it nice to do quick simple projects like that between larger ones. It breaks up the monotony! 🙂
Congrats on your shop doing well! It’s nice to use up some of the charms you’ve accumulated, and those purples are great for a runner like that. I, too, love the parting shot of Julia and Olive.
Thank you Barb. Thinking of you as I get ready for this bridal shower. Are you having one for your soon-to-be DIL? I think it will be a lot of fun.
A really nice table runner. I remember several years ago when pansies were really popular and somewhere I have a collection of the fabric-somewhere? The pictures of Julia and Olive are adorable. I believe I would have a hard time letting her go too.
Isn’t it crazy how themes and prints go in and out of style? I look at my fabrics and I can peg which decade they are from so easily! Thank you for stopping by Debbie!
Bernie, this is a nice and easy runner. thanks for sharing. I adore anything purple, even if there’s none to speak of in my boy-centered house. When we moved into our new house, I asked the painter to make the laundry room purple for me. No one could complain and I got a special color away from all the more muted earth tones.
Well, for as much time as we spend in the laundry room, I think you should have it be any color you like! How fun to make it so unique. Purple isn’t usually my go-to color but I think this combo is pretty.
I love quick and easy projects that can be whipped up in little time, and your runner fits the bill. That’s a great way to use up fabric pieces Bernie, and the charms you chose are so pretty. Those shots of Julia and Olive are so fun to see. Olive sure has grown!
Gosh, those purple fabrics are gorgeous! I love the butterfly one with gold accents. Perfect for your little table runner! I’ll have to remember that “no batting” technique. It would be especially good for a dresser scarf, nice and drapey that way. Good luck to your daughter and her well behaved pig 🙂
Love the pictures of Julia and Olive! Your purples are really pretty, and I love the idea of no batting. I’m quilting a table runner that is already sandwiched, but next time I’m going to try that.
Thank you Linda! I think the runner looks really nice without the batting. I am not sure how it would go with lots of quilting but with straight line/walking foot quilting it was a breeze.
Great tip for the runner, I really like how flat it looks without batting.
I do too Cheryl. I want to try it with other blocks to see how it goes. I think it is nice how softly it drapes.
Great runner. Never thought to try it without the batting. Thanks for the tip on the Fabric Club. I might give it a try.
I enjoyed getting the packets from Benartex every three months. Invariably I would forget about it and when it showed up in the mail, it was a fun little surprise!
What a sweet table runner. I hope the bridal shower goes smoothly and is a lot of fun!
I love purple and green together. (My mom has a room that would match your runner perfectly!) I’d never heard of the Fabric Club. Thanks for the link. Congratulations on the finish and thank you for linking up to TGIFF. Oh, and I loved seeing pictures of Julia and Olive.
I love the table runner but I really love the photos and stories about Julia and Olive. They take me back to when I was young and helped my friends prepare their animals for showing at the fair. Usually sheep and steer, though, no pigs!
Great post today! Newsy! Loving that table runner. No batting….why didn’t I think of that! That’s one handsome pig!
Hi Bernie,
I LOVE this post!! Too fun to see Julia and Olive walking a country lane! And love the table runner. You are one busy gal. AND a new daughter-in-law too.
I discovered Bernartex’s quarterly newsletter and sample charm sets a couple of years ago. I love getting them in the mail. It’s always such a surprise and brightens my day. Thanks for using your set the way you have. It makes me want to do the same thing with my sets. What a neat impromptu gift for someone! Thank you!!
Hi Carol, I love their sample sets too. I didn’t renew my subscription because I keep telling myself I need to use up all that I have already!! But soon, I will renew it very soon!!!
I didn’t renew this year for that same reason!! But I miss receiving them in the mail… just a sucker for pretty fabric!
It’s lovely to see this again. Once again it made me think of my mom’s purple and green room, though she’s getting ready to paint it a different color. Thank you for linking up to Show Me Something Purple!