Doesn’t get any better (or quicker!) than this! I still had some great leftover fabric after making a runner similar to this, but gigantico in size compared to this little cutie. So I cut six 5″ squares, patched ’em together, and added a border. Then came the embellishment … I had only about 12 inches of that cute little button trim left (it was $10 a yard!), and a handful of super gorgeous green velvet trim that was found in a yard sale! Presto-Magico, it all came together with the remnants I had from the beautiful line of Moda – Fruitcake by Basic Grey. Add some lovely swirls in free motion quilting, sing some Christmas music lyrics, and then free motion them in the border! Enjoy putting the binding on while watching TV with the hubby! I love my Bernina 830 machine because of the extra room, and zipped this little “skinny mini” up in about 3 hours.
Attaching the dangling button trim was easy free motion-style, using my Bernina #29 clear foot… but another tip would be to use your zipper foot, if you’re not ready to do it free motion. I like to lengthen my stitch a bit too. To attach the velvet ribbon excellently… I turned to my #39 clear embroidery foot for visibility, using the red center line for exact placement on the outer edge of the ribbon.
Charming and Vintage-inspired! I love this fabric line from Basic Grey…
I am head over heels about the texture of this ‘floating buttons’ trim (what a find – got the last bit of it from Deer Country Quilts in Swan Valley earlier this fall!) in a creamy white and brown mixture of buttons which plays in harmony with the lovely texture of gorgeous green velvet ribbon… Add the unexpected with quilted writing in matching green thread on the red border. Each phrase faces outward on each of the two long sides of the runner, greeting your family and guests with these words: “Immanuel, God with us” and “Merry Christmas to one and all.”
The reverse side is the same charming snowman print as the front in red, only the back is in white, making it lovely for using it beyond the Christmas season as well! Trimmed with hand-sewn binding that frames the piece in coordinating turquoise and brown print, tying it all together.
I hope you will find it inspirational and charming as I did creating it. EnJOY.
Original and one of a kind design by MarveLes Art Studios.