Summer Wave - Improv Table Runner

     This project was on my mind for a while. I started working it a few weeks ago, and it turned out so much better than I expected!

Bringing summer cheer to the sofa table.

This wrapping paper was my inspiration.  

I went through my stash of Kona cottons and pulled out solids which were close matches to the colors in the wrapping paper.

      I decided to try my hand at wavy seams for this project.

I cut 14 inch strips of various widths - from 2 1/2 inches to about 1 1/4 inches wide.

After a few false starts, I overlapped the fabric about 1/4 inch (right sides both on top).   I then rolled the rotary cutter in the overlapping section in a loose random wavy pattern.

I then separated the pieces, and pulled off the extra fabric.

The two pieces then should fit snugly together. 

I then positioned the ends to start sewing the seam.  I kept my needle down as I sewed, which acted as a pin when I had to fit the curvy pieces together.  

A few of the strips.  I then repeated the process with the unsewn edges from these pieces.  It was not a quick project - cut and sew and iron.  Cut and sew and iron.  Over and over and over again.

Some of the waves got really wavy.   There was plenty of ironing going on with this project! 

All the strips were exactly 14 inches long.  I lost some length in doing the wavy sewing.   I assembled about 18 inches of strips as blocks, then sewed them together.  Luckily, I was planning about a 12 inch finish, so I had some wiggle room.

After sewing together all of the blocks, and trimming the edges.  The finished piece is 80 inches long by 12 inches wide. 

I  quilted densely with Aurifil white in a curvy matchstick style.  I used a  longer than normal stitch length and my walking foot  to create visible stitches.

I pieced together my last bits of this IKEA fabric for the backing and found the lime green polka dot for the binding.  

I love the cheerful colors, and the movement of the piecing, and really like the quilting.  This project took longer than I anticipated, but I enjoyed it working my way to the end. 

Take care and enjoy the beginning of summer!

Gretchen