Monday, September 27, 2010

Accuquilt Go! Autumn Penny Runner

A great big happy welcome to any blog hoppers who are stopping by today!  Come on in, get comfortable and play along :)  Since it’s Autumn, I’m playing with wool and my Accuquilt Go!

I started with wool and homespun fabric pieces and the Accuquilt Go! Fall Medley Die #55014.
Additionally to complete this project you will need a wool fat quarter (approx. 18 x 28”) for the background, a half yard of backing fabric (I used a homespun cotton), and Paper-backed Fusible Web.

If you don’t have an Accuquilt Go! You can still make this Autumn Penny Runner, you’ll just have to cut out all your shapes with scissors ~ look for oak leaf stencils, or use an actual leaf to fashion your own template ~ but you can’t beat the Accuquilt Go for speed and accuracy here :)

Because I’m a fusible person, and I’m going for quick with this project, I fused some Heat n Bond Lite to the back of my wool scraps before running them through the cutter.   If you’re not a fusible/machine blanket stitch person, you can cut your wool pieces without fusible, and hand blanket stitch around the edges (I like this look too, but I’m going for fast on this particular project).
Bigger wool pieces can be folded to lay over a shape on the die to yield two pieces that lean in different directions.
Tip: mark your die shapes with a sharpie pen to aid in laying the fabric over the shape that you want to use.  I also like to mark little hash-marks out on the edges of the die so I can align fabric along the top/bottom of a shape easily. 

I used random Fall colors and cut the following shapes:
(7) Oak leaves
(10) Acorns & Caps
(3) Pumpkins

Trim the wool fat quarter background piece to 17 1/2 x 14”, and arrange the pumpkins and oak leaves in the center any way that you like.  Press them with the iron to fuse them in place, and machine blanket stitch all the edges.  Note that I still like to use some pins after pressing to hold the Lite fusible in place while I manipulate the piece through the sewing machine.  I just remove the pin before I stitch around each shape.

With leftover background wool, cut out ten 2 3/4 x 4” rectangles, and round two corners on one end to make the penny runner tabs.  Fuse and blanket stitch the ten acorns and caps to these tabs about 1/2" from the rounded edge.

Again, because I’m a fusible person, I added fusible to the back of the table runner center and the ten penny tabs.  I arranged them on top of my homespun backing fabric with the ten penny tabs layered about ½” underneath the table runner center. And fused all in place.

…this held the penny tabs in place while I blanket stitched down both ends of the table runner center through all layers.

Now with a pair of scissors, trim away the excess backing fabric…
…And blanket stitch all around the outside edge.  I used a regular 50 wt thread that I had on hand in a dark brown for all of the blanket stitching, but it would also look really nice with a thicker thread, and a larger blanket stitch to make it more prominent.

So here it is on my sideboard all ready for Fall, my Autumn Penny Runner ~ and it only took me three hours to make from start to finish!  The overall finished size is 24 ½ x 14”.  I’ll leave this out through Thanksgiving until I decorate our home for Christmas.

And now for a little reward to any of you who have managed to read through this entire post and make it to the bottom…How about a Give Away!  Leave a comment on this post, and at the end of this week’s blog hop I’ll choose one name randomly to receive a wool fat quarter and three cut pumpkin shapes to get you started on your own Autumn Penny Runner :)

     Winner was drawn on Oct 3rd ~ WvHummnbrd won! Congratulations :)

Don’t forget to hop over to SewCalGal’s blog today for more Accuquilt Blog Hop fun, and visit the rest of the participating bloggers all this week! You can see the schedule here for the entire hop.

Enjoy the day!
~ Dawn

95 comments:

Betsy said...

Dawn, thank you for this great tutorial. I wish I had taht die cut set since leaves and pumpkins are my favorite.

Michele said...

What a fun fall project. Thanks for sharing.

Jocelyn said...

What a quick and cute project! Love the fall leaves. Your table runner looks great.

Pat said...

I love working with wool and wool felt but haven't done any projects with it for awhile. Maybe if I win your giveaway, it will kick-start me?? LOL Your runner looks very nice. Don't you just LOVE the GO cutter??

Deborah in Atlanta said...

Isn't the AccuQuilt GO just the bomb??? Your runner is stunning. And it looks so fast and easy (just what I love). Thanks for the tutorial. dmj53(at)hotmail(dot)com

Lee said...

Thank you for the lovely table runner. I love wool and this is perfect for a nice fall gift for my mother in law.
thanks for the giveaway!
lee
butler83ataoldotcom

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

Your runner is beautiful. I've never worked with wool before but I love the look.

Ebony Love said...

That's so cool! I haven't worked with wool before, but I love your table runner. Are you working with felted wool?

Monica said...

What a great little runner! Thanks for the chance to win the wool.

Pat said...

I love your table runner! I don't have that die for my GO! but would like to purchase it at some point. Thanks for the chance to win.

LK said...

Very talented lady you are....this would be a lot of fun to work on this fall!!

bairdmtn said...

Very cute and fall-ish looking runner! Love the colors you used! This runner would look wonderful on my dining room table, so it looks as if I may have to make one!

KaHolly said...

Dawn, this is an amazing post. Stand up and take a bow!! ~karen

Quilt n Queen said...

I love your fall table runner. Some day I will be the owner of the GO cutter....anxious to see what Accuquilt will be announcing on October 1st. Thanks for the chance to win.

Michelle F. said...

Great tutorial! Makes me want to make my own. Thanks for it and I would love to win.

Laura Martell said...

I love your table runner. I never thought of using my Go to cut wool. I'm excited!

jdqltr said...

I absolutely love this project! I have a large tub full of wool, scraps, hand-dyes, and most in fall colors. This is inspiring to do! Thanks for sharing!

deserae said...

I love the table runner! :)

paulette said...

Gorgeous project!! Love it!! I need to haul out the wool...thanks for sharing!
Paulette

Katrina said...

Wow!!!! I love love love that runner! Looks like the fall dies will have to be a part of my stash - great tut!

Terry Aske Art Quilts said...

A beautiful table runner, and an excellent tutorial. Thanks so much.

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

That is adorable! I wondered about the GO and wool, Thanks for the chance to make a little something too!

SewCalGal said...

I loved seeing how you created this beautiful table runner. The design layout, fabrics, colors are all spectacular. Inspirational! I want to make one!

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Joy said...

Looks like a fun project. I have not tried anything in wool yet, guess it's time to try.

jackiero said...

How beautiful! I'm really drawn to everything
Fall! You are the first seamstress/quilter I have ever read/heard mention about 'fuseing' to the back of wools...I'm gunna try your tip next I work with wool/homespuns.

quiltingfrenzy said...

Beautiful table runner, thanks for the tutorial.

Betty said...

Cute project!

Nancy Sue said...

Thank you for the tutorial. The acorns are great...so cute.
nsue21702 at gmail dot com

Julie Earsom said...

I got an error message on my last comment, so I'm going to try again.

Thanks for the tutorial. I've never used wool. Not having to turn under the edges would make it so much easier. I would love to try it.

Thanks!
Julie
stampmeup@hotmail.com

Rita said...

Dawn, what a great table runner. I especially love the fabrics you choose.

teachpany said...

Great tutorial! And cute project. I can't wait to read all the blogs on this hop. Great idea!! Thanks!

JayTee said...

Nice tutorial..love the table runner you made. It looks nice a quick & easy project

Polly said...

Very cute idea!! Thanks! Polly

Maree said...

Love the autumn tones. We are just coming in to spring.

Winona said...

Very cute project. I have never used wool before, but sure would like to try. Winona

Julia (Grammy) said...

Very cute project...hope to win.

Linda K said...

OK, third try- hope it works! Great tablerunner and I would love to win your pumpkins and wool. And I would love to have a GO cutter someday, too....sigh....

Yvette said...

BEST tutorial I have seen! I had no idea you could do wool projects too.

QuiltSue said...

That's a beautiful runner. Thanks for showing us how you made it.

YankeeQuilter said...

love the woolie pumpkins! I hadn't seen wool used with the cutting system befoe...interesting!

Sandy said...

Super tute! I'm originally from New England and love the fall- this project is perfect ;)
Sandy

Cyndi loves to stitch said...

Am in love with the plaids in oranges did they come that way or do you dye your own, beautiful, Your fall project and tutorial were great too!

Anonymous said...

I've yet to try wool in my GO! Your project is very pretty...not over the top and nicely done!!

harleywife57/ Mickey White said...

How cute an autumny is this ? nice ! I have never used wool, but have some 'remnants' to try a pin cushion -- I should say it's on my 'to do list ' !

Nanbon44 said...

I haven't made a penny rug yet or even worked with wool, but I would love to jump in with both feet and give it a try. You make it all look so easy, thanks for a great tutorial and giveaway.

free indeed said...

What an adorable runner! Love the acorns on the edges! I haven't worked with wool yet; I don't have a source unless I start with clothing pieces...Would love those pumpkies to get me started on a project.

Dana Gaffney said...

That's really pretty, I really like the edges with the acorns. I have a GO, but don't have the fall medley die, yet.

SheilaC said...

I really like this runner! I can't imagine cutting those shapes with scissors. The GO! sure did a great job.

Thanks for the give away and the demo :)

SheilaC

marilyn said...

very cute table runner. If I won, I might just have to clean off a table to display mine :)

Michele T said...

I love penny rugs and want to thank you for sharing. micheletimms@gmail.com

Vickie E said...

super cute project...have tried to post this 3 times. I hope it didn't post 3x!

Linda said...

Thanks for sharing. Love the wool pumpkins!

Lovie said...

I'm a new follower - found you via SewCal post. When cutting wool how many layers can you cut, and does the fusible web seem to help stabilize the fabric? I'm a new GO owner so all the tips are a great help.

Kasey said...

This is all making me want a GO! Successful advertising :) Love your project!

scottylover said...

I love pumpkins and have not worked with wool before! This would be wonderful!

Sandy A

Marcia W. said...

I'm having difficulty getting a comment to post on your blog. Thank you for sharing your process for cutting wool with the GO! My mother and I would like to win one (or wait to see what the expecting announcement will be), and were wondering about cutting the thicker fabrics (like wool). Your applique turned out great and answered many of my questions! mlwright29 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Dawn said...

Thank you for all of the sweet comments everyone!
To answer a couple of questions I've been hearing, yes I am using felted wool. I cut one or two layers at a time with the fusible on the back. You could maybe cut three without the fusible, but I wouldn't try to force more than that through my cutter. And yes, I did find that the paper backed fusible stabilized the wool as I worked with it.

~Laurie~ said...

It would be great to try and re-create your penny rug - it's adorable! Thanks for the chance to win :)

Marcia W. said...

Let me attempt to post a comment again. Thanks for showing how to use a GO! with wool. I was curious as to how it would work with heavier weight fabrics, and now I know. Thanks for the interesting info for the blog hop. mlwright29 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Weatherbee ;) said...

Cute project!! I love the fabric and I LOVE the design! Wonderful job...super cute! :)

~Teresa

debbie said...

thank you for the tutorial. I love the look of the wool but have'nt used wool yet. I would love to give it a try
debbie

Beth said...

I LOVE your penny rug...the colors are beautiful...thanks for the giveaway!!!

momalot said...

I LOVE your autum penny rug! Thanks for posting the detailed directions. I don't have that die yet, but am thinking maybe I need to get it!

Karen said...

Great inspiration. Thanks for simple reminders like fusing the webbing before cutting - because I can forget these things!

IHaveANotion ~ Kelly Jackson said...

I would have never thought to do that....I love the wool and the penny rug is just great!!! Now, I'm going to beg some wool from my friends who have tons...:)

Thanks so much for the idea....and I'm very fortunate to have a GO!....hurray!

Smiles,
Kelly

WvHmmngbrd said...

I would love to try a wool project! Thanks for the chance to win!

Janette said...

I would love to be a part of the chance to win! I hope I am not too late. I love the wools, especially in autumn designs!

Christie said...

Oooh... oooh... oooh!!! I would love to win the wool and pumpkins! How cute is your penny rug!?! And the tutorial is great! Thanks for sharing. HUGS...

Mary Grace McNamara said...

Love your fall runner! The colors are fabulous!

MGM

PaTcHwOrK jEnN said...

Simply beautiful. To think I almost didn't hop since I don't own a GO! So glad I stopped buy. I love your runner you made. It is beautiful. I really need to get get wool felt. I am loving all the uses for it.

Fiber Babble said...

What a beautiful project! Even though it's (currently) unpleasantly hot & sticky weather where I am, I'm dreaming of crisp fall afternoons, seasonal handwork and cups of hot cider.

Anonymous said...

What a cute design. It looks like the AccuQuilt makes it so much easier to make without all the tracing and cutting.

Becky said...

Dawn, this is perhaps the cutest wool table runner ever. Or at least my favorite:) Love the crispness of your shapes. Thanks so much for participating in the blog hop!

Bonnie said...

I love what you do with wool. You are very talented.

Joanna said...

Thank you for the great how-to. I love what you made with the cuttings and fabric.

Unknown said...

I love using wool! Last Christmas I made snowflake ornaments using the Christmas die. I fused 2 layers of wool together, ran it through the die, added a pearl cotton hanger and some bead embellishment, and -voila- a quick and easy gift. You've inspired me to pull out my wool today to do a table mat. Thanks!

Quilthaze said...

I haven't tried penny rugs before but your project is a real inspiration - so pretty! Thanks you.

KeyQuilter said...

Cute,, cute cute! I hadn't thought of using the dies to cut wool. Very creative!

The Brown said...

Love my Accuquilt Go - glad to see others finding creative ways to use it - Love the Autumn runner with wool

babiesdoc said...

I never thought of a wool table runner before today!
One would look great on a thanksgiving table

Donna Slater said...

Love your Autumn runner with wool, especially the acorns lined up on each side. Great design

Anna @FreshDewDrops said...

The fall shapes and colors of your runner.

Angie said...

This runner is adorable! I would love love love to be the proud owner of this beautiful table rug. :)

emmy said...

Thank you for the runner pattern. Would have never thought of using wool on the Go.

Dru said...

Thanks for a chance to win your giveaway.

MoeWest said...

Thanks for the nice fall project. I've seen a lot of projects lately using wool applique. I guess I need to start building a little stash of wool scraps. I found you through SewCalGal's hop and now I am a new follower.

Barb said...

Just love the wool runner....thanks for the tutorial

Mama Spark said...

I would not have thought to put the wool through a GO! Great idea!!

Nancy said...

Love your ideas!

Melissa said...

Thank you for the tutorial and giveaway.

Anonymous said...

Makes me feel like fall is in the air. Thanks for the great giveaway....

arlette said...

Awwwwwwwwwww, love the Autumn Penny Runner, it's made in my fave colors!!! :), thank you for sharing this cutie patotie with us

Mystica said...

Very few people have work in wool so this is an unusual runner. Please throw my name in the hat for the giveaway and thanks.

Kelsey said...

I've never worked with wool before, but with Fall coming I think I might have to give it a try! :D

Ariane said...

Oh! This is so cute!!! Thanks for the tutorial!!! Love it!!!