DIY: How to sew a table runner with one yard of fabric

A table runner using one yard of fabric? You betcha. (That's Minnesotan for yes.)

I'll show you how to showcase that one little yard of home dec fabric you just had to have.  Or maybe that's just me? I fall in love with these home dec fabrics but don't always have a clear vision as to how I'll use them.  I lucked out here as the orange and blue and brown in the runner pull together the colors in my family room and kitchen.

You'll also need some flat trim or 2" wide fabric strips.

Oh, and if you want to make the runner reversible you'll need about a half yard of a contrast fabric.

The finished size is about 15-1/2" x 65".

Let's get started.

Supplies needed:

• One yard 54”wide woven fabric
• One-half yard contrast fabric – or enough to cut 2 pieces 16”x 17”each
• Three yards 2”wide trim or fabric
• Thread
• Hand sewing needle

Cut:
Main fabric - follow the handy-dandy layout guide I've included. 

• Cut 1 – 36”x 17”main fabric (A)
• Cut 6 – 5”x 17” main fabric(B, C, D, E, F, G)

Reverse side:

• Cut 1 – 36”x 17”main fabric (H)
• Cut 2 – 16”x 17” contrast fabric (I and J)

Trim or fabric inserts:

•  Cut 6 pieces of trim or fabric each 2” x 6” long

Main Fabric Layout for Table Runner

Sew the table runner top:

Create the top of the table runner by sewing the trim and fabric pieces together as follows. All
seams are 1/2”.

Fabric sewing order for main fabrics

• Pin trim to one 17”side of fabric A right sides together. Sew.
• Pin fabric B to the trim right sides together. Sew.
• Pin trim to fabric C right sides together. Sew.
• Pin fabric D to trim right sides together. Sew
• Pin trim to the other 17” side of fabric A right sides together. Sew.
• Pin fabric E to trim right sides together. Sew.
• Pin trim to fabric F right sides together. Sew.
• Pin fabric G to trim right sides together. Sew.
• Press all seams towards the fabric. 

Press seams towards the main fabric of the runner
(Look a bit familiar? This is the step where I melted some of the trim - see don't sew while sleepy reason three)

Right side of runner with inserted trim

Sew the table runner back:

• Pin fabric I to one 17”side of fabric H right sides together. Sew.
• Pin fabric J to the other 17”side of fabric H right sides together Sew.

Fabric sewing order for reverse side of table runner

Contrast fabric sewn to reverse side of runner

Finish:

• Pin runner front to runner back right sides together.
• Sew along all four edges using a ½”seam.
• Leave about 8"open.
• Turn right sides out through the 8" opening.
• Press.
• Slip stitch opening closed.

Voila! 

Two runners in just a few hours.

Runner number one with one main fabric and beaded trim inserts

Runner number two with contrast fabric ends. 

When I flipped the runner over to photograph the reverse side I left it on that side and walked away. Hubby entered the room and wondered where the runner with the beads was as he "liked that one better".  I casually flipped the runner over while he watched. Hee! Hee!

Bonus tip:

Add piping or another trim along all four edges if you want to eliminate the contrast fabric peeking out at the edges.

Hope you enjoy sewing this runner.


Stay tuned.  I've been on a big home dec kick lately as we slowly update our family and dining rooms so more DIY projects will likely find their way to this blog.

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The future holds yet another fashion show

I should probably be blocking some uninterrupted time on my calendar this weekend to get some spring sewing done.  However, a fashion show combined with a chance to meet local bloggers sounded a bit more interesting.  So I bought myself a ticket to attend the the BlogLove "Spark & Style" event instead.  I wasn't able to convince any of my non-sewing non-blogging friends to join me, so if any of you are planning on attending let me know so we can be sure to meet up!

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Meet my new best friend

I'm in love with my new best best friend - the MARVY erasable fabric marker.  I purchased this little gem at the bra workshop I attended awhile back.  I'm probably late to the party here, but this is one notion that will have a permanent home in my sewing studio.

Why? Because I can erase what I wrote on my fabric!

Of course that means I have to REMEMBER to erase the markings from the fabric before sewing everything together.

Not that I might have actually done anything like that ...

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An evening at the WINGS Flight of Fashion show at the Mall of America

Last night I attended a fabulous fashion show at the Mall of America - Flight of Fashion.

From what I understand, this fashion show - a fundraiser for WINGS was introduced last year and was so successful it was brought back again this year.  I certainly hope it becomes an annual event.

I heard about it just a few weeks ago and immediately called one of my fellow fashion-loving friends to invite her to attend.  Neither one of us were quite sure what to expect and I have to say I was very impressed.  The experience was inspiring and entertaining all at once.

Since they were accepting donations at the door for Dress for Success I brought along a few suits that were too large and have been languishing in my closet. One of them was one I had only worn once - McCall's 5815 - that wonderful striped suit with the bow incorporated into the collar. I sure hope someone will love it as much as I did the one time I did wear it.

As I entered the space I was greeted by dim lights and the pulsating rhythm of early 80s dance classics - you know Madonna, Prince, etc.- and I knew it was going to be a fun night. Rows of chairs were set up U-shaped around the stage and runway.  Hundreds of women filled the room and long lines formed on both sides of the room - one for the cash bar and one for the appetizers. Yum! I didn't catch who provided the appetizers but they were both  tasty and beautifully presented. I was quite happy to find numerous healthy options also.

I wasn't fully aware of the mission of WINGS so it was helpful to hear the background from the  organizers before the show began. While I came to see the fashions I was most impressed by the woman who shared her success story. I wish I could recall her name because her story truly was a success story.  You know, the kind of story that makes you want to volunteer your time to help other women recognize their potential.

The fashion show was well produced and had many outfits that one could actually wear.  As expected there were 70s trends, stripes, bright colors and fun shoes. I really wanted to see up close the coral one-shouldered dress the host was wearing as I wanted to see how the fabulous drape was created.

After viewing that show, I can honestly tell you that I am in serious need of a makeover! I didn't realize how much of a rut I have been stuck in style wise.

Lucky you there was an event photographer who has already posted photos on Flickr.  Here's the link so you can view some of the fashions also.  Enjoy!

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Flirty flounce skirt - done!

There may have been a few sewing boo-boos while this was under construction but the end result is - in my humble opinion - F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S!

It's a simple lined pencil skirt, faced waistline, center back walking slit and an asymmetrical flounce sewn diagonally down the front.  Realistically it should have only taken three hours to sew, but hey. Guess I needed a reminder not to push it when I'm overly tired.

The flounce is finished with a narrow hem.  Since I don't own one of those fancy-dancy narrow hem foots I did it my way.

Press hem allowance - in this case it was 5/8"

Stitch very close to the edge of the fold.

Oh so carefully trim as close as possible to the stitches. 

Turn in again and stitch in place using the previous stitches as your guideline.

How easy was that?

Now I know you're all wondering what pattern this is, right?

Surprise!

It's an 11 year old design.

Yep, my sewing peeps. You read that right. Eleven years old.

It's skirt number 117 from the October 2000 issue of Burda World of Fashion.  You just ran away from the computer screen to dig through your old issues of Burda didn't you?

The flounce on their version looks to be a sheer fabric. My skirt - including the flounce - is a lightweight wool. 

Photo from BWOF October 2000

If you don't have this issue the skirt would be pretty easy to replicate.

• Start with a pencil skirt pattern. 
• Draw a diagonal line from upper left to lower right of skirt. 
• Measure that line. 
• Calculate the diameter needed for the inner circumference of the flounce - the inner circle. So, do you remember how to do that? (Yea, I didn't think I'd need that math again either.)
• Shams, over at Communing with Fabric, did a post on this very thing.  Yay! She provided the formula c=2*pi*r with c being the inner circumference. (Here's a link to an online circle calculator to help you determine your c.)

• Here is her post along with photos.
• The width of the circle will be the width of the flounce. This skirt's flounce is wider at the top tapering to just a few inches at the hemline.
• Cut out the flounce. Hem the flounce.
• Stay stitch the inner circle.  Clip to staystitching.
• Sew the flounce to the line marked on the skirt front.
• Finish pencil skirt as usual

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Do not sew while sleepy - reason number three

Continuing on with my weekend of sleepy sewing mistakes

What's wrong with this picture?

 

A gazillion bonus points if you figured this one out as it's not quite as obvious as the first or second one I posted.

You'd be right if you guessed that the blue trim along the left edge is melted due to a hot iron placed directly on top of it without the safety of an pressing cloth.

I had even pulled the pressing cloth out before I began pressing the seams.   

Wasn't too happy with myself on this one as I melted the delicate trim right up to the seam allowance. 

"But", you protest "it looks fine from the right side. What's the big deal?" It does indeed look fine from the right side, but the trim can easily be pulled away because in spots it's now only resting on top of the fabric.

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Do not sew while sleepy - reason number two

What's wrong with this picture?

Double bonus points if you noticed that one dart is sewn right sides together while the other is sewn wrong sides together.

Sigh. 

It happens to the best of us no matter how long we've been doing this sewing thing.

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Do not sew while sleepy - reason number one

What's wrong with this picture?

Bonus points if you noticed the facing side seam is matched to the skirt's back dart rather than the side seam.

Fortunately I caught it before the seam was sewn.  Headache avoided.

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The arrival of spring's downside

The downside of spring's arrival?

Muddy paws.

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Flirty flounce skirt

Finally! I'm working on something for moi!  

And it incorporates three things I love:

1. a skirt
2. a flounce and 
3. an asymmetrical detail

It might be a few days before I have to work on it again, but stick around as it promised to be a cutie.

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Going dotty

I think I must love black and white polka dot fabrics.

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Hurry, hurry! Be part of the next One Yard Wonders book

Love the One Yard Wonders book?  Yea, me too.

Well, you may or may not know that there's a second One Yard Wonders book coming out next fall.  November 9 is the date its expected to hit the bookshelves. At least according to One Yard Wonders Facebook page.

Here's the super exciting part.  Well, besides the fact that I have a project in this second One Yard Wonders book.  *big grin*

They're looking for five bonus projects. Just like the first OYW book, Barnes and Noble will carry their own version which will include five extra projects.

You have to hurry because the deadline for submissions is Friday, March 19. 

I'm already working on my submission because let's face it. It's just plain fun to see your designs in print.

Details here.

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DIY - Lengthen curtains with fabric strips

Sometimes when you're decorating your home you find exactly what you're looking for. 

• The right style curtains: large grommets - check
• A great price: $7 each - check
• The perfect color: chocolate brown - check
• The correct length: oops - too short

No problem.  I own a sewing machine, remember? Not only that but I just purchased home dec fabric to make pillows for that room that would work for lengthening the curtains. 

Those too short curtains are the correct length in no time and custom-made for my decor.  Sophia's helping me show-off the new look.

So how did I do it?

Easy.

1) Determine how much length you need add. In my case it was 7". 

2) Decide if you're going to add fabric to the bottom or insert fabric near the bottom. I'll let you in on a little secret - I choose to insert fabric strips was because I didn't want to re-hem the curtains. 

3) Measure and make a mark where you want the fabric inserted.  In my case I cut off the bottom 12"

4) Carefully remove the stitches from the sides of the curtains.

5) Cut off the bottom portion along the line measured earlier.

6) Cut enough fabric strips to equal the length you want to add.

Bonus Tip:  Measure twice cut once.  I measured once. Not only did I forget to include seam allowances but I measured wrong.  Of course by the time I realized it I had already completed one panel.  Which meant I had to start over.

7) Sew or serge the strips together.

8) Sew or serge the fabric to bottom edge of the curtain.

9) Take the portion of the curtain previously cut off - you know, the part with the hem - and sew or serge it to the bottom of the fabric.

10) Optional: Insert fabric to lengthen the lining.  I skipped this step as the end of my lining will fall below the window sill. From the outside looking in you'll never notice the lining is too short.

11) Stand back and admire. 

And the amount of money you saved on your custom curtains can be our little secret.

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Better late than never - Vogue 1018

Did I ever share this one with you?

Vogue 1018 

I didn't think so.  This is the Sandra Betzina skirt I began (and finished) this past December.

Seriously love this skirt.

As in capital L love.

Although I might not love it as much as Shams.  She's made it five times already.

I'm only now starting to think of sewing my second. It'd be a great summer skirt. Assuming, of course, that this winter will actually end. Because there have been days when I'm pretty sure warm weather will never again enter my life. But I digress...

The skirt's a little out there for my work environment, but after some experimentation I believe this basic sweater/cami/skirt combo is tame enough for my office.

Because black is so hard to see details, I tried lightening the photo a bit.  Did you notice I now have gray hair?

The shape comes from the side tucked drape overlay as well as the small tucks near the hemline that create a ruching effect.

Those small tucks were very time consuming. But totally worth it.

It's kinda sad that it's now OOP (out of print). Here's the pattern envelope.

You might find one on Etsy or that online auction site (you know the one) or your local thrift store. Grab a copy when you find and you two will fall in love. With a capital L.

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