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Country Hearts Table Runner Embroidery Project

By Ramona Baird on January 24, 2018

PROJECT DETAILS

SKILL LEVEL

Experienced

TIME REQUIRED

06:00

Description

Country fabrics and country-style designs are used to create a “Country Hearts” table runner that cannot only be used for Valentine’s Day, but if appropriate fabrics are chosen, can be used through the 4th of July and even into fall.

Project Preview Video

Materials

3- Yellow plaid fabric for the background to fit hoop (but at least 2- 9” x 9”, and 1- 9” x 14”)

Black/white homespun small check (2- 8.5” x 2.5”, 2- 12.5” x 2.5”, 2- 33.5” x 2.5”)

Plaid star fabric (2- 37.5” x 2.5”, 2- 15.5” x 2.5”0

Background fabric (40” x 18”)

Embroidery thread as stated in color sequence

Applique fabrics as stated in color sequence (the burgandy color used for the star, chicken and heart applique was coordinated with the dark red in the outer border fabric and white fleece was chosen for the body of the lamb.)

Cutaway stabilizer

Sewing thread to coordinate with all fabrics

Step 2 shows the layout of materials and dimension used in this table runner. All dimensions are given, but it is highly recommended that each strip and the backing be cut at least 2” longer (all borders are cut 2 ½” wide) and then cut off after the strip is sewn on.

The plaid background fabric should be cut large enough to fit in the hoop, and then it will be cut down. So, make sure the fabric is larger than the finished dimensions.

Designs used in this project

https://www.embroiderydesigns.com/productdetails/sweet-heirloom/designs/1/she0648_009

https://www.embroiderydesigns.com/productdetails/dakota-collectibles/stockdesign/1/kc0556

https://www.embroiderydesigns.com/productdetails/adorable-ideas/stockdesign/1/aiaq125

https://www.embroiderydesigns.com/productdetails/brewer-sewing-supplies/supplies/1/tpt_6722

https://www.embroiderydesigns.com/productdetails/brewer-sewing-supplies/equipment/1/atg105

Final Product: What You Will Create

Preface:

This project is a good way to use up scraps of fabric. Use country colors that will coordinate with your home décor. Though no batting was used in this project, it could certainly be added before sewing the backing and completed top together.

Step 1:

Gather the materials and read through the instructions before beginning. Print out a paper template of each of the designs and color sequence. ¼” seams are used throughout the project. Press all fabrics well using spray starch.

Step 2:

Here are the finished dimensions of each of the fabric pieces. It is advisable to cut all the border pieces longer than needed and then trim them down after they are sewn on which is how it will be shown in the instructions. All borders are cut 2 ½” wide. All dimensions include ¼” seam allowances.

Step 3:

Begin by sewing all the designs. Center and hoop the fabric with cutaway stabilizer. Choose embroidery thread colors to coordinate with the fabric chosen.

Step 4:

Begin with the heart design that has the star in the middle. Load the design on the machine. After the placement line is sewn, place down the piece of applique fabric and then stitch the tack down line.

Step 5:

Remove the hoop from the machine but do not remove the fabric from the hoop. Trim the excess fabric from around the tack down line of the star. Continue stitching the design in the chosen colors. Remove the completed design from the hoop, press the fabric, and then set it aside until needed.

Step 6:

The second design to stitch is the heart with the chicken. Quite a bit of the design stitches before the placement line for the chicken applique stitches. After the placement line stitches, place a piece of applique fabric, sew, trim, and then finish stitching the design. After the design has finished stitching, remove the fabric from the hoop, press, and set aside until needed.

Step 7:

The final design to sew is the lamb design. This has two applique pieces. The legs of the lamb stitch first and then the placement line for the fleece body of the sheep. Place down the fleece, stitch the tack down line and then trim away the excess fleece. Next the red applique fabric is placed down and then the next color will tack down this fabric. Trim this fabric and then continue sewing the rest of the design. Remove the design from the hoop and press the fabric. Now it is time to trim the fabrics and start the construction of the table runner.

Step 8:

Trim the embroidered pieces as stated in Step 2. Use a gridded ruler and rotary cutter and be sure each embroidery design is centered when trimming the pieces. Lay the embroidered pieces with the lamb on the left, the chicken in the center, and the heart on the right. Using the layout in Step 2, construct the quilt. First, sew the strips between the embroidered pieces. Place the strips right sides together to the embroidered piece and sew them on using a ¼” seam allowance, pressing the seams toward the fabric strip.

Step 9:

Trim the strip even with the embroidered sections. Now sew on the black and white strips to the top and bottom of the embroidered section, right sides together, press and then trim the ends even with the outer edges of the embroidered pieces.

Step 10:

Continue sewing on the remaining two outer black and white borders, pressing, and trimming them. After all the black and white borders are sewn on, then use the same method of placing right sides together, sewing, pressing and trimming the plaid star border, beginning with the top and bottom borders.

Step 11:

Trim the top and bottom borders even with the outer edges and then sew on the left and right plaid star borders, press, and trim those. That completes the sewing on the borders.

Step 12:

Cut and place the backing piece down on the cutting board. Place the top, right side down, on top of the backing centering it. Pin the backing and top together along the long edges and sew them together using a ¼” seam. Because homespun fabrics are more loosely woven, using “The Thang” helps greatly keeping the fabric in position; use it in front of the presser foot to control the fabric as it goes under the needle.

Step 13:

Trim the excess backing fabric leaving a 3/8” seam allowance. Repeat for the other long edge. For the left short side, turn the long seam allowance to the back at the corners and then pin the border fabric to the backing and sew it.

Step 14:

Trim away the excess fabric leaving a 3/8” seam allowance. Now pin, sew, and trim the remaining edge but leave an opening for turning along this seam. Turn the table runner right side out through the opening.

Step 15:

Press along all the edges well, having the right side roll to the back just a little bit. Pin and then hand stitch the opening closed. Give the table runner a final press.

Step 16:

Congratulations on completing the “Country Hearts” Table Runner. When appropriate fabrics are used, the table runner can be used from Valentine’s Day through the 4th of July seasons.

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Meet the Author: Ramona Baird

Ramona Baird has been in the embroidery industry for over 23 years. She and her husband owned a commercial and retail embroidery store in Arizona for many years. She is an experienced digitizer having been mentored by award-winners Pat Williams and Lindee Goodall. Ramona is a contributor to “Creative Machine Embroidery” magazine having 5 covers to her credit. Ramona has worked for Wilcom America and served many years as Education Director for the American Sewing Guild. With a degree in fashion design, she is able to design and execute patterns which Pat Williams says are “out of the box” in creativity and application. Ramona likes to challenge the boundaries of embroidery and bring new and exciting designs, ideas, and projects to EmbroideryDesigns.com. She wants embroiderers of all levels to increase their skills and enjoyment in using their embroidery machine for gift-making and personal pleasure.

Country Hearts Table Runner Embroidery Project

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