Hey everyone. Today you will learn to make a calm, wool appliqué table runner with a soft pearl grey centerpiece motif.
Here we go.
Meet the fabric first
This is the LN01 - Pearl Grey Merino Wool Fabric, from WonderFil USA.
It is part of Sue Spargo's mill-dyed colors. The collection includes 60 colors in all. This one is Pearl Grey.
That grey is a useful neutral. It plays nicely with almost everything.
The fabric is 100% Superior Grade Virgin Australian Merino Wool. It is proficiently woven. It is richly dyed. And it is raised to a perfect hand.
That gives you a soft fabric. It feels luxuriously felted. It is designed for ease of stitch penetration. So your needle can pass through without a fight.
The color boasts an even and saturated dye. It also possesses unparalleled colorfastness.
Now the real numbers. This size is a Fat 1/8. It measures 18 inches by 14 inches. It is cut from a true 36-inch yard.
The listed usages include wool appliqué, rug hooking, quilts, apparel, crafts, and more. We are using it for wool appliqué. That is where this small, lovely piece really shines.
A matching Ellana 28wt 50/50 wool/acrylic appliqué thread is available separately. Use it, or use what you have. Completely up to you.
The project: a pearl grey appliqué table runner
We will make a runner that finishes at about 14 inches by 36 inches. That fits most dining tables nicely. It also works on a sideboard or dresser.
Keep the design simple. Think one long vine down the center. Add simple leaves and a few round circles.
Why does this fabric suit it? The wool becomes the appliqué itself. Cut leaves and circles from that 18-by-14-inch piece. Place them on a contrasting background. The soft felted hand gives clean shapes. The easy stitch penetration makes hand work relaxing.
Small shapes carry a long runner beautifully. Just like that, a plain background turns really really pretty.
And folks, your leaves do not have to match perfectly. Real leaves never do. You are your own worst critic. Take your time. This is not a race.
Materials list
- 1 piece of LN01 - Pearl Grey Merino Wool Fabric — Fat 1/8, 18 inches by 14 inches
- About 5/8 yard of background fabric for the runner top
- About 5/8 yard of backing fabric
- Thin batting, at least 16 inches by 38 inches
- About 1/4 yard for binding, cut into 2 1/2-inch strips
- Optional matching Ellana 28wt 50/50 wool/acrylic appliqué thread, available separately
- Freezer paper, a fine marker, and sharp small scissors
- Hand-sewing needles, pins, a ruler, and a rotary cutter
Brief steps
1. Cut the runner pieces. Cut the background at 14 1/2 inches by 36 1/2 inches. That includes a 1/4-inch seam allowance feel for finishing. Cut the backing a little larger at first.
2. Draw your vine. Draw a gentle wavy line on paper. Make it about 30 inches long. Keep the curves soft and easy.
3. Trace and cut the wool. Trace leaves about 2 1/2 inches long onto freezer paper. Trace circles about 3/4 inch to 1 inch across, too. Press the paper lightly to the wool. Cut slowly and smoothly. Slow down here or your points get ragged.
4. Place the design. Lay the vine line down the center first. I draw that line lightly on the background. Then place leaves along it, alternating sides. Add circles in small groups of three.
5. Blanket stitch each shape. Aim for stitches about 1/4 inch apart. Aim for about 1/4 inch deep, too. Keep the thread snug, not tight. If a leaf shifts a little, nudge it back and keep going.
6. Layer and quilt. Layer backing, batting, and the appliquéd top. Stitch in the ditch around the edge if you like. Or echo quilt around the leaves. Echo stitching about 1/4 inch outside each shape looks lovely. Completely up to you.
7. Bind the runner. Trim it to 14 inches by 36 inches. Add your 2 1/2-inch binding. Stitch it down securely all around.
Practical tips from me
Test your blanket stitch on scrap first. Wool feels different from cotton. Find your rhythm.
Keep your shapes bold. Tiny points are hard to turn and stitch. A simple leaf shape will read clearly from across the room.
Press gently, from the back. You want the wool soft, not flattened.
If I can do this, y'all can do it. We're not reinventing the wheel here.
Alrighty. Set that runner on your table and smile. Oh my goodness, that soft grey is pretty.
Thanks so much for sewing along with me today. We'll see you next time. Bye.
Shop the LN01 - Pearl Grey Merino Wool Fabric at Linda's Electric Quilters.
