janRN

QE you have so much on your plate. Here are 3 runners I made; I fell in love with the floral fabric and used different accent colors in each runner. Mirab has beautiful examples for you. I do like she does--find a block I like and make 3 or 4, border, quilt & bind.[ATTACH=CONFIG]348597[/ATTACH]

carriem

QE--I have made the "braid" table runner like Jan several times. Here is the free pattern I used: http://quiltbug.com/free/table-topper.htm

Also if you are going to be setting stuff on top of/around, this quick and easy table runner would be great to add a little color: http://www.sweethomequiltco.com/user...e%20runner.pdf

I made a couple of these for gifts last Christmas.

QuiltE

JanRN ... The three look so different, and yet start with the same fabric. Your quilting on the 2nd one is ever-so wonderful!
MiraB ... What a pretty grouping, each with it's own personality and character.
CarrieM ... you caught part of my dilemma without me mentioning it! I know I need to watch that whatever I decide on does not compete with the items sitting on it. Yours are pretty and effective all at the same time. Thanks for the two links, I did have that french braid pattern out for a look today! Whether I go for total simplicity, or not so bold fabric combos for traditional blocks, I'm not sure yet what will result.

A special THANK YOU to each of you for sharing and helping to get my inspiration juices flowing.

I have been thinking of a Churn Dash pattern, to keep with the theme, though the more I think about and sketch it out, I'm not sure I like it. Hopefully this weekend, I can pet fabric, and start working on something!

So Ladies, one and all ... please keep the inspiration rolling ... I'm just not sure what I will be doing, and look forward to seeing more to help me! Thank you, everyone!

oksewglad

Well there's always using bits of yardage as "table cloths". Turn under the edges and press "hems" in the fabric and secure with a concealed safety pin every now and then. As long as you have more than enough fabric this will work for any size "table" that your display sets on. A sprinkling of garnish (wild grapevines) and a dash of color (faux daisies in a vase or crock) would also add color and texture to the area.

QuiltE

We've considered the silk flower route, but decided not ... if we can't have real, then we'll steer clear! And you know me ... it's GOT to be a quilt, even simply made, not just a piece of fabric! Heck, I have a month ...

QuiltingNinaSue

QuiltE: I have fallen in love with Kona Butter color fabric...you might like it too. I order through Fabric warehouse, etc., that gives me 40% off on the bolt. Just a suggestion....

JeanieG

I have been getting the Bella Solids by Moda from Missouri Star Company. They are usually $7.00 a yard but are on sale right now for $5.95. I love the butter color also! Whenever I order from them, I usually add a few yards of the Bella Solid colors to add to my stash. Reasonable shipping - $5.00 rate.

QuiltE

JeanieG and QNSue ... I'll have to look for your butters when I'm out and about for the Shop Hop. Honestly, I don't know what solids any of our stores carry ... I've always just seen them as solids and never been aware of the fabric line. I have some prints here with butter backgrounds. And I guess, the PC background is close to butter too. I don't think it;s the dairy farmer in me ... I just like the colour. And in two different homes had bedrooms that colour. This time not .... that'd be ....yet!

gardnergal970

Thinking back to the churning days, have you considered using kitchen toweling? I remember the ones with the red/blue strips on the sides and then there were the sacking ones with the days of the week embroidered in the corners when we had company. Every farm wife wore the cover up apron to keep her work dress clean. Here is a link I found where they have that fabric. http://www.fabricdepot.com/index.php...ge&pageid=3838. While the quilt would also fit the era, toweling, etc would fit the activity a little better in my mind.

QuiltE

Good idea GGal -- Thanks!!... hhmmmmm? wonder where I could get the towelling? and if not towelling, maybe gingham would be one to consider. Though that'd be another, where do I get it?

As for the towels ... I'm not from the churning era, but I did embroider several sets of those towels with days of the week and other sayings. Still have one embroidered set unused that I might re-make into a quilt some day. And also a set that I did with the liquid embroidery tubes. Anyone remember those?

You've got me thinking!