"Sew Many Possibilities" = Halloween Table Runner!

I am really having fun stitching! Last night, I finished this table runner and I really like it because I love that polka dot fabric!!! I had one fat quarter of it that I bought in 2008 (it's an RJR fabric called "Halloween Night") and I wanted something that would really show it off. I chose not to do any quilting on the fabric because I wanted it to "pop". :-) The quilting is all "stitch in the ditch". The edges look more "wonky" in the photo than when you see the runner in person. Not sure why that is. Anyway, the design may seem a bit familiar. That's because it's a variation of my "Flowers for Mama" wallhanging (posted here ) and the tutorial that I shared here . This won't be the last variation of this pattern as I am going to make one for every month of the year and maybe even a Happy Birthday one, too. It's so fun and so simple to make.

If you check out the tutorial you will see that it is basically 2-1/2" strips that form the borders (29-1/2" long) and sashings (12" long), the side inserts must measure 5" x 12-1/2" and the center block is a 12-1/2" square. You can use any 12-1/2" block in the center of this table runner. You can also use any 9-1/2" block and just need to add 2" strips on all sides of the 9-1/2" block and you'll have a 12-1/2" block. Make sense? This is a great way to use "orphan blocks" and scraps. Charm squares and jelly roll scraps would be great for this project, too. I'm planning one with both options. Maybe I'll even do one with layer cakes. And for my readers who aren't quilters....a charm square is 5" square, jelly roll strips are 2" wide by the width of the fabric and a layer cake square is 10". And then, of course, you chop them all up til they make a new recipe. :-)

In case you want to make a Halloween runner similar to this one..........here's a refresher......

In the photo above, I have laid out the pieces of my runner.........the completed 12-1/2" center square and the 5" x 12-1/2" side strips. I placed my 2-1/2" strips around it to see if I liked the look of the black. I was also considering a fabric with more pattern and colors to it but it took away from the center block and the polka dots.

In the photo below you can see that I have sewn the center block and the polka dot side strips to the 2-1/2" x 12-1/2" black strips. Once that is stitched, you press it and then........

Sew the top and bottom strips in place, press again and you are ready to add batting and backing. Then you can "quilt as desired".

So, are you counting my finished projects? I am. That's two candlemats and a tablerunner finished in one week. I can't remember when I got that much done in one week! Ah, but there's more. Last week, I finished another tablerunner made from a Pat Sloan pattern and I'll show you that one on Saturday. I might also be able to show you the next Halloween project I'm working on if I continue stitching along at warp speed like I have been this week. LOL! Plus, I am hand-stitching a couple projects, too. I am on a "stitchin' roll!!!"

Have a great Friday!!!!

Sandi