Need some inspiration ...
 

I just finished piecing a holiday table runner made with some really pretty purple, green and gold fabric. I really want the finished runner to look nice, so I'm not going to FMQ it because I am bad at FMQ. Really, really bad. I'm also a little tired of the same old stitch-in-the-ditch, but I'm not really sure what else I could do with it. Does anyone have any ideas? Photo is attached and thank you in advance!

How would you feel about doing stitch in the ditch just around the big blocks, then doing a series of echo stitching in straight lines with square corners that you could do with a walking foot. I think it would look really cool in gold metallic thread.

Your runner is beautiful.

I love that fabric. It would go great in my plum living room.

I have done SID with a narrow zigzag and also with a serpentine stitch (looks like a continuous S). My sister quilted one of hers with a decorative feather-type stitch. SID looks really different when you change to a non-straight stitch and it's easier also -- more forgiving!

When I get sick of stitch in the ditch. I do diagonals one way then back the other. So it looks like diamonds. I use a washable marker to draw the lines.

oh! pretty!

what about using metallic embroidery thread and echoing the elegant shape of those ornaments in your print on the nine patch block?

you wouldn't have to do a lot of hand quilting and it would add such a lovely sparkle without taking away from the piecework.

aileen

I did diagonals using blue painters tape. Lay the tape on a diagonal line across the runner, stitch along one side using your presser foot at the edge of the tape as your guide. Then move the tape next to the other side of the line you just sewed and stitch again. Keep going until you have filled in. The tape comes in different widths.

Stitch Christmas trees in the 9 patch blocks, tack down the ornament blocks by stitching on sequins.

I think this is a great idea and make it also look modern..you can use painters tape on your fabric as a guide