Quilty Box Challenge!
Last month I received my first Quilty Box and loved the collection of fabric, patterns, and tools, BUT I didn’t have time to make anything from the supplies. This month I’ve decided to challenge myself to use the gear in my Quilty Box to make a brand new quilt.
Remember – it’s time to stop hoarding and start creating so if you’re wanting a fun monthly challenge definitely join in this fun project!
This little table runner project only took a few hours to piece, and I’m thrilled with the results! This was pieced using Patricia Pepe’s BasiX Template which allowed me to create complex blocks without paper or template piecing.
See how I used the materials in this month’s Quilty Box to create this beautiful table runner:
Click Here to find the pattern for this table runner.
I was inspired to create a table runner for this challenge, but quickly realized I didn’t want to use only the Wilmington Prints Flourish Batik strips from the box. I added black Kona strips as well so the quilt would have nice contrast and lots of background space to add beautiful quilting designs.
Piecing this top went super quickly even though the blocks cut from the BasiX template are off grain. The key to piecing with off-grain fabrics is to be very gentle when handling them and to starch the crap out of the fabric before you cut!
No, I’ve not become a convert to Mary Ellen’s Best Press, but I think you should definitely use SOMETHING to stabilize your fabric before piecing and cutting. I still prefer Niagara brand spray starch because it’s less expensive and makes the fabric much stiffer and easier to handle. Find more on starching your quilts here.
The thing I loved most about this project was working with the BasiX template and playing with the layout of all the blocks. I loved this pattern so much I’m already piecing together more strips to make two more table runners!
So what will you make from your Quilty Box? Are you inspired to make a table runner too, or a scrappy quilt from the precut strips? Share this video with your friends and challenge yourself to get creative with Quilty Box!
Let’s go quilt,
Leah Day
Hi Leah,
Love, love, love your videos! I had taken a couple classes, and had barely progressed beyond the 'stitch in the ditch' and the 'stipple'. Then I found your website and your amazing free quilting motifs. With the help of your '365' book I quilted a king size quilt – kind of as a sampler of quilting. I think it came out pretty well. Today's video was pure inspiration. I'm going to check out the Quilty Box. I already know that I love unexpected surprise projects, and this sounds perfect. Congrats on your Teacher award! It is well deserved. Thanks for all that you do for us – the novice quilters.
Wouldn't you be able to cut the mirror image of the template by having 2 layers of the strips wrong sides together… basically folding the strip in half lengthwise?
I actually tried this, but the template has the tendency to slip and if the strips aren't aligned just right the block on the bottom can be cut incorrectly. It's a bit time consuming to cut each individually, but it seemed to be the best way to do it.
I love your tablerunner! If imitiation is the sincerest form of flattery, consider yourself flattered as I will be making this one! Thank you !
Yep! That's what the pattern is there for! I hope you'll share a picture on facebook and the video so other quilters can make it too!