Detour Placemats and Table Runner

I have wanted to have a large set of placemats to use at Thanksgiving and this was the year I made it happen.  I used the Detour pattern from Highway 10 Designs.  Instead of 4 placemats like the pattern is written for I made 16!

I stopped in to Kick Ass Country Store to visit Wayne last year and came across the fall leaf print that I recognized to be by designer Holly Taylor.  After a little research I have found out that it was from the Trail's End collection from 2012!  Wayne always have had a great eye for colors and he found the copper and green coordinating fabrics.

I didn't have a lot of extra time before Thanksgiving to get them quilted and bound (28 strips later), so I opted to put a panto on them instead of custom quilting them like I had in the past.  I used the Oak Breeze pantograph, and I love how they turned out.

I didn't quite have enough of the green binding fabric, so a couple of the placemats got bound in the copper.

I added more chevrons to the runner to increase the length to fit my table with the leaf in.  I have enough placemats for when have enough guests to require a second table.

Batik Detour Placemats and Runner

I pieced this table runner and placemat set a number of years ago, but only got them quilted recently.  The pattern is our Highway 10 Designs "Detour" pattern.

I originally intended to use some of this fabric in my Stellar quilt that you can see here, but there was a change of plans so I used it here instead.  At first I wasn't sure where I wanted to place my fabrics so I made a couple of samples.  Once I placed them on my table the choice was obvious.  Having the brown at the corners blended into my table and just didn't pop.

I added some simple custom quilting in the form of lines and curls to add a little interest to my water colour batiks.

If you would love to try an easy set of placemats and table runner check out the PDF or paper versions of the Detour pattern on the Highway 10 Designs website.

Detour Placemats and Runner for Kendra

Occasionally I share something that was made entirely by me and today is one of those days!  My daughter moved into her first apartment and I wanted to make her a set of placemats and table runner.  She chose our Highway10 Designs Detour pattern and we headed out to see Jennifer in Beausejour at Needle Craft and Studio to select some fabric. 

Kendra quickly selected these three fabrics, and I was in total agreement.

I made 6 placemats and the runner and decided to have some fun custom quilting them.  A mixture of lines and swirls was all that was needed to finish them off.

The Detour pattern is a nice relaxing sew.  The longest part, (like any time you make placemats) is the binding!  But I love how the set looks on the table so it was all worth it.

It was a little hard to send these on their way, but I will have to get myself a supper invitation so I can go use them!

The Detour pattern is available as a PDF download  or in paper format.

 

Detour - Primary color love

This is the second set of "Detour" place mats with matching table runner that Reneta made for a lucky family members as Christmas gifts.   These are really bright and cheerful in primary colors. 

A mix a straight line quilting and curls in a navy thread was all they needed to feel complete.

This pattern by Highway 10 Designs really does look great in any color combination.  Pattern is available as a PDF download or as a traditional paper pattern in our Etsy Store.  Wholesale inquiries welcome to highway10designs@mymts.net

Blueberry Flavored Detour Place Mats and Runner

Reneta made this fun runner and place mats our of some awesome blueberry fabric she picked up in Newfoundland in the summer.  The pattern she used is Detour by Highway 10 Designs. 

 I don't usually get to quilt small items like this, so these were a fun change of pace.  Reneta left the quilting design up to me but did mention that she like the look of the curls.  I like place mats to have enough quilting so that they come out of the wash and require the least care possible so I did a lot of stitching in the ditch around the elements of the design.

 

If you want to whip up a set of these for a great Christmas gift the pattern is available as a PDF download (or by mail) from our Etsy shop.

Detour Placemats & Table Runner

I made this Detour table runner and set of 6 placemats for my sister-in-law Christie.  I loved how they looked on my table, but when I saw the fabrics they immediately made me think of her so it made it easier to give them away.

I like to have a good amount of quilting on placemats to help them keep their shape as they get washed quite often.  I decided that a mix of straight lines and e's and l's would be the right compliment.

When it came time to do the binding I realized that I was having a bit of a fabric shortage.  So, I decided I would make the 'Magic Binding' as it utilizes more of a fabric you hardly see.  I thought I would add the beige flange to the red outer fabric to make my binding cover what I needed.  As soon as I started the first one I really wasn't happy with the look.

I felt the beige flange was competing with the design instead of enhancing it, and worse yet, the flange was hiding my points in many places!  Now what??  I decided to turn the binding around and put the flange towards the back.  It is a little odd, but I am much happier with the end result. Sometimes you really need to listen to your gut and stop when you don't like something before you get too deep to change directions.

This is one of our Highway 10 Designs patterns and is available in our Etsy Store.  Your local quilt store can also bring in our patterns for you as we are carried by Checker Distributors (US & International), Quilt Source Canada and Contemporary Sewing Materials.

Detour Runner

 I made this runner as a gift for my mom to cover her sewing machine cabinet now that she has moved to a new condo.  I had specific measurements that I wanted the final product to come out to, so I modified our Detour pattern just a little bit to make it both longer and wider.

 I added a purple chevron and background section to each side, and a 2" border all around the outside.

The quilting showed up better outside, but the front step was the only dry spot I could find with the big melt going on! 

 

As always Highway 10 Designs patterns are available from me in person, or in our Etsy shop. It was fun to make this pattern again.  I need to make one that will live at my house!

My New Toy!

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This is the new toy that arrived this week - a Singer Featherweight 221-1.  Isn't it cute?  I have to thank my hubby Nolan and brother-in-law Anton for making my dream a reality.  I have been looking for Featherweights on Kijiji and at local auction listings ever since I saw one in person.  I have been 3rd or 4th in line many times.  A couple of weeks ago Nolan spotted the listing for this one in Calgary.  The item had only been posted for 5 minutes, so I knew if I acted quickly I might have a chance.  The machine is not in pristine condition, but there seller was very upfront about the chip in the paint, and was asking a very fair price.  She even posted a video on You Tube of the machine being used, so I was very confident that is was in good working order.  My brother-in-law agreed to be the middle man, and purchased it (got a lesson in the process) and shipped it out to me.

I wanted a Featherweight to take with me to guild sewing days as I was getting tired of lugging my Janome 6600 around.  About 12 lbs as opposed to 30+ lbs is a huge difference! 

The case is in pretty good shape for something that was made in 1952!  My featherweight was born August 11, 1952 in Elizabeth, New Jersey.  63 years old. And the original key too.

The only thing that doesn't seem to be here from what would have been originally sold with the machine is the screw driver, which really is the easiest thing to replace.

The original manual is in amazing shape.

These are all the feet that were included.  The first 6 are original items, and the last three are add ons.  I don't expect to use most of these items much, but the engineering that went into them is interesting.

The one thing that I wasn't quite prepared for was the strong old smell that hit me in the face when I opened up the case.  No evidence of mold or mildew, but old oil and dust closed up for an extended period of time was not pleasant.  I did some quick research on line and found that soap and water are bad, but Kerosene and Carnuba wax are exactly what the doctor ordered!

We found some online tutorials with great information, so last night we took everything apart, tossed the old oil soaked drip pad, scrubbed and polished and it is much more pleasant to be around.  Luckily the original tube of motor lubricant was present, as it is still deemed to be usable and recommended.  A vintage machine also has many, many more oiling points that any other machine I have ever owned.

That is some chunky, gunky lubricant in the upper gears.

Today I figured out how to wind some bobbins with some modern thread and decided to try doing some real sewing.  Since I don't yet have a 1/4 foot, I attached the handy seam guide and it worked really well.

I am really impressed with the quality of the stitches, and had no trouble getting the tension adjusted with my thinner So Fine! piecing thread.

When I packed up the machine I included a bar of Irish Spring Soap in the bracket that was originally intended for an oil can. It should help freshen the case and is said to ward off bacteria.  Can't hurt right?

All ready for my next sewing day!

This is what I finished today.  I slightly adapted version of our Highway 10 Designs Detour runner.  I added two more dark chevrons to make it longer, and a small border to increase the width just a little.   Hopefully I can get it quilted soon!