QUILTsocial | Issue 02 Winter 2014-15

Materials List
Here’s what you’ll need if you want to make your own table
runner:
••
Batik for top – 13" x 26"
••
Batting – 15" x 28"
••
Backing – 16" x 29"
••
Batik fabrics for leaves – 3 different colors – 6" x 11" each
••
HeatnBond – 11" x 18"
••
Binding – one fat quarter
Assembling your quilting project
For this project we’ll machine quilt first and appliqué second! So,
the first thing to do is to layer the quilt sandwich with the backing,
batting and top fabric. Use your favorite method to baste
the quilt sandwich – I love to use 505 Spray on small projects
like this one. For more instructions on layering your quilt check
out my QUILTsocial blog post from June 2014.
Marking quilting lines on the quilt top by tracing lines
Getting ready for machine quilting
Once the quilt sandwich is secured together, use a mechanical
pencil and one of the Omnigrid ruler to draw a diagonal line
across the center of the quilt top.
Check your tension
Put the Mirage thread on the top of the machine and then
Deco-Bob in the bobbin. I LOVE using bobbin thread when I’m
machine quilting because the bobbin thread doesn’t have to
be refilled for a long time compared to using a heavier thread.
Check your tension on a tester quilt sandwich before starting to
quilt the table runner. Adjust the top tension until the bobbin
thread only shows on the back and the top thread only shows
on the top.
Walking foot vs free motion quilting
For this type of quilting I recommend using a walking foot. If
you want to do another type of quilting design, by all means
put on a free motion quilting foot, but for quilting straight lines
it’s much easier to use a walking foot. Start at one end of the
drawn line and quilt all along it until you reach the other side of
the table runner. If you have a spacing device to attach to your
sewing machine, attach it and set it for approximately 2 inches.
If you don’t have one of these devices then use the ruler and
pencil to draw parallel lines across the quilt top.
Closeup of machine quilting with Mirage thread
Quilting lines on the quilt top
Photos by Christine Baker
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