What Halloween table is complete without a runner? My dining room table looked a little too bleak with that black tablecloth, and I had all that ribbon practically begging to get used, so I stayed up the other night making this.
As with most things I do, it took a lot longer than I thought it would. "Oh, I'll just whip this up in an hour before I go to bed," thought I.
Hah! Due to a lot of technical difficulties and a painful lack of fusible, double-sided interfacing tape, I was up till after 2 am before I finished it. And I was determined to finish it before I went to bed, because, well, that's just how I am. :-)
I usually try not to sew or do any big projects during the day because of the kids. Night time is when I can unwind and do fun stuff like sewing or other projects. I know I shouldn't stay up so late very often (I know, dear Mom, it's not good for me!), but sometimes it's too tempting to work late into the night when all is quiet and there are zero distractions.
It started out innocently and easily enough. I had all the ribbon just where I wanted it, pinned in place on both ends, but after trying to sew the first ribbon on straight while the runner and ribbons flopped and pulled every which way, I realized I needed to switch tactics.
Since I either didn't have or couldn't find my fusible tape, I took double-sided interfacing and painstakingly cut it to the appropriate widths and carefully put it beneath each ribbon in a few places. Then, after fusing the ribbon, I tried the sewing approach again and it worked much better. But I quickly realized that sewing down both edges of every ribbon was more than a little time-consuming! I finished it off with a border cut to 3" wide. First I sewed the strips on, then turned under the raw outside edges of the border twice for a finished edge, and finally flopped into bed for a few hours of z's before waking up to get Eliza off to school. (confession: after she left for school, I snuck back into bed until my other kiddos woke up, which was heavenly bliss...I love sinking back into bed for more shut-eye. Doesn't happen often, but it's a welcome luxury!)
So last night, after the kiddos were all tucked in, this black-and-white fabric that has been stored away for about a year kept calling my name, and the leftover ribbon was whining about being left behind.
This time I got smart and used the fusible interfacing strips (still haven't made it to the store for the ready-made tape) over the entire length of ribbon so I didn't have to stitch the ribbon on.
Since these pillows won't be taking much of a beating due to their short display time every year, I'm not really worried about not stitching the ribbon on. I always stitch the ribbon I use on garments, however, because of how frequently clothes get washed.
I used pillows I already had but weren't being used at the moment, and made a flap in the back of the pillow case so the pillow forms can be removed easily and the cases stored with the Halloween things.
Seems I can't do much with ribbon without making one of my ribbon bows (see Ribbon Bow tutorial in my sidebar).
This one is providing a bit of bling for the checkered pillow. I have it safety-pinned on from the inside of the pillow case so I can remove it if/when the case gets washed.
Ahh, my first pie of the season. It's apple, of course (made from scratch, including the crust, yumyum), and I added some toasted pecans which made it extra scrumptious. I'm still getting acquainted with my new oven, it's gas with a convection fan so I'm having some moments of frustration with it (see burned edge, despite my efforts to shield the crust with foil). Electric ovens are definitely better, but I really wanted a gas range and couldn't afford one of those hybrid ovens with gas for the range and electric for the oven - so the gas range won out! I'll just need to fiddle with the oven and rotate things. Anyway, the pie was delicious, although a bit overdone (boohoo for overcooked, mushy apples). At least it hadn't turned to applesauce pie yet, which I have done before!
This one's for Grandma, who sent Hazel this adorable little PJ set complete with a tutu. She wears it night and day, she loves it so much. Thanks Grandma!
My sister sent Hazel the most adorable rainbow glasses and compact mirror case, among other things, which Hazel squealed in delight about. She wore those clear lens glasses everywhere (much better for seeing indoors than the sunglasses she wore a few weeks ago) for days, until her little 2-year-old hands pried the frame apart one time too many and the side pieces broke off. :-(
Guess we'll have to go to Claire's and get another pair! I haven't been to a mall in absolutely ages, and the thought doesn't excite me...give me Home Depot, Lowe's, or HomeGoods anyday! Can't buy nonprescription rainbow glasses at Lowes, though, so I it looks like it's time to figure out where the nearest Claire's is...
Wow, that runner and those pillows are gorgeous!
And that apple pie took me straight back to BYU. You know yours was the first apple pie that I ever liked? All other pies were too sweet and bland and mushy.
Posted by: Edith Songer | October 14, 2009 at 05:00 PM
The table runner and pillows are fabulous!! I'll never look at my ribbon the same way again.
btw - I've found that a dab of glue stick works surprisingly well to get pieces to stay put while I applique. Just be sure to wait until the glue dries before stitching so you don't gum up your machine.
I posted a link to your project on Craft Gossip Sewing:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/lookie-what-she-made-table-runner-with-crazy-ribbon-stripes/2009/10/14/
--Anne
Posted by: Anne | October 14, 2009 at 07:13 PM
Love the runner and the pillows. So cute. And I agree about sewing at night. Sometimes I just can't help it. Sometimes I try to go to sleep, but my brain is going so fast about some sewing project that I figure, well, if I'm gonna be awake anyway, might as well be spending the time sewing.
Posted by: Page | October 15, 2009 at 03:22 AM
This is TOO cute! Nice work!
Posted by: Jessica Dougherty | October 15, 2009 at 07:08 AM
I love the table runner and pillows!
Posted by: Sara | October 15, 2009 at 11:01 AM
I featured this and some of your other creations on somedaycrafts.blogspot.com Beautiful! Grab my button if you don' already have it!
Posted by: Someday Crafts | October 15, 2009 at 02:07 PM
You have almost convinced me that I should decorate for Halloween. Maybe next year when we are settled in our new place and I'm not running around crazy! Love the pictures of Hazel! She looks just like Steve in that last picture. :0)
Posted by: CoconutKate | October 15, 2009 at 06:11 PM
Hi there Shelley,
Your site was sent to me by my sister Jean -I am HOOKED!!!
I LOVE it.
Wish we lived closer - danger danger - I think we would be in big trouble.
I will be making your table runner tomorrow
thanks so much
Love the creativity
Cheers
Catie
Posted by: Catie | October 15, 2009 at 06:28 PM
I just found your blog and have spent some time looking around. I love it! I love your pillows and runner!
Can't wait to see what else you have in store!
Posted by: Laurel | October 16, 2009 at 08:45 AM
I love the bold orange black colors - go Bulldogs! :-)
Posted by: twitter.com/jeffmendenhall | October 16, 2009 at 03:23 PM
I want some of your energy, too! nice job tying in the black and white dotted material into the edges
Posted by: Sue Jensen | July 12, 2012 at 04:50 PM
Your photo has been stolen and the item listed "for sale" here.
http://www.glitzychickboutique.com/apps/webstore/products/show/3251927
Posted by: Blogger | August 29, 2012 at 12:47 PM
I just came across your blog on Pinterest and I love all the things you have made!
Posted by: Tracey Hartig | March 08, 2013 at 06:38 AM