I really like Jenn @A Quarter Inch from the Edge‘s Throwback Thursday link up. It has me going back and thinking about my early quilting work, and seeing how much progress I have made as a quilter is pretty cool. Today I want to share a table runner that I made for my in-laws circa 2004.
Fuchs Runner
For the most part, I grew up in the south / southeast of the US. My husband is from the desert southwest (Albuquerque, New Mexico, to be exact), and my first visit to the high desert was a bit shocking. I am pretty sure I asked, “Why would anyone have stopped and settled HERE?” The state motto for New Mexico is “The Land of Enchantment”. Those first few visits I was definitely puzzled by this statement. Over the years, the desert has grown on me a lot. So much so that I am now glad we live in the desert southwest. And after watching a series of friends move to Albuquerque and go through the same arc of confusion to enjoyment to passion about the desert, I now joke that the New Mexico motto should really be “The Land of Entrapment”.
Just after my husband and I got married, I was able to set up a sewing / craft room for myself for the first time. Prior to that, I had mostly quilted when I was living at home in high school or when I went home to visit my parents. I did have my own sewing machine, but setting it up in a college apartment with roommates was always a bit awkward. I was excited to have my own creative space, and I wanted to make something. I came across the border fabric for the runner and it made me think of my in-laws. I bought that print and then took it shopping to find coordinating colors. Looking back, I’m amazed that I used near solids for the main blocks.
Fuchs Runner
I definitely made up the block pattern. I think I just pre-cut a bunch of 2 1/2-inch squares and laid them out to try to mimic the tiled design in the border and binding print. I did very minimal quilting, and I remember being very frustrated with tucks and puckering. This was before I learned about walking feet or reducing foot pressure and all kinds of great things. I started with a bit of stitch in the ditch around each block, followed by the large and small diamonds and then finished up with a bit more stitch in the ditch in that rectangular shape.
The binding looks to be a bit funky; I think I knew about mitered binding corner but was maybe struggling to get it to look nice? I do know that I machine sewed a double folded 3-inch wide binding strip to the front and hand stitched it down to the back, though.
Fuchs Runner – In Use
To this day my in-laws keep the runner draped over one of their chair backs in the living room. I have since made them a queen sized quilt for their bed, but seeing this runner makes me think about making them a nice throw sized or lap quilt to cuddle under as well.
Linking up to Throwback Thursday @A Quarter Inch from the Edge.
Don’t miss out on the next several Jaftex 85th Anniversary blog posts:
September 3 – Anjeanette @ Anjeanette Klinder
September 4 – Leanne @ The Whole Country Caboodle
September 5 – Mark @ Mark Lipinski’s Blog
Like this table runner and the colors, thanks
It’s so fun to look back at the things we made early in our quilting journey. I think it’s wonderful your in-laws keep your work displayed so nicely in their home!
So neat! I love that you designed the block, but especially that it is still used. Making quilts for people like that is always a pleasure.
Throwback thursday is a fun link up! Like you, its fun and shocking to see just how far we have come and the things we have learned since then! I love that your in-laws still proudly display this!
You did a great job on your table runner! A table runner is on my to do list for today, they are always a fun and usually quick way to get in some sewing time. Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful creative day!
Oh my, I somehow missed that Jenn had started that. I don’t know if i’ve been blogging long enough to have anything to throw back.
You did a really nice job of pulling your block design from the border fabric Yvonne. And the runner looks great draped over their chair!
LOL – Land of Entrapment – too funny!
I love Throwback Thursday! It’s so much fun trying to remember what all I have made. I just wish I had taken more pictures along the way. And I think can give hope an inspiration to new quilters. It can be so frustrating in the beginning so it’s nice to see that everyone started somewhere. When you made that table runner back in back in 2004 would you have ever dreamed you would have accomplished so much as a quilter?
Isn’t it fun to look back? We learn gradually, and then suddenly realize just how much we’ve learned and figured out along the way. I’m tickled that your in-laws still use the runner. And I think the pattern looks great with the mission style chair. (They probably would appreciate a cuddle quilt, though.)
Thanks for sharing the info. about New Mexico. My bucket list includes a visit to Albuquerque so it was interesting to read about your initial reaction as well as how it has changed. Sort of funny, too, as I thought you lived in the northeast possibly PA.
Even in your early stages, you were a designer. This reminds me of a quilt I gifted that I need to “borrow” for the next TBT.
“The Land of Entrapment” is pretty common around here among transplants. I’m a (3rd generation) native and have no interest in moving (aside from daydreaming about living near a rock coast someday), so I guess it’s true for me too. I’ve never seen that border print before, I like how the pieced blocks are similar but not exactly like the pattern. It fits right in with the inlaw’s decor 😉
I think this block is a pretty cool one that you made up! I love that “Land of Entrapment,” part. I have had the same thoughts about New Mexico, but I will admit that I’ve never been to the northern parts, just driven through the southern part. I used to think Arizona was horrible until I discovered the northern part of it, so it know I need to keep an open mind…thanks for sharing your throwback, it’s fun!
Isn’t it funny how we can look at early projects and see shades of the design choices we still make today… like solids? Borders were the bane of my existence early on too! Oh those mitred corners! Thanks for linking up with Throwback Thursday!
Enjoying Throwback Thursday!
Can’t imagine living somewhere warm with little rain! Would settle for less cloud cover and more sky though. Doesn’t it make you feel good knowing your hand made gift is still loved and used!
I love that this has a special place in your in-law’s home, that just makes it…well, special! Love seeing where you came from and how you’ve grown!
I ask the same question (why would anyone settle here?) about places that drop to minus 20 degrees Celsius!
It’s so lovely that they have it over their chair still, there are some people for whom it’s a pleasure to make things, and they sound like they might be some of those people.