Friday, December 2

on the 1st day of joyfulness...

dottie angel shared with me
a 'terribly nice' table runner
(skill level : medium peasy plus a little bit)


gosh how i love the english language, how can something be terribly nice ?! it is the same as saying 'horribly lovely', however it is most fitting for our 1st day of joyfulness, for 'terribly nice' sounds so proper and there is nothing quite so proper than a table runner. i did not think i was the table runner sort, however an old english church pew has come to live with us and i do not think one can have a church pew without having a table runner. 
(slippery slope Tif, slippery slope)

now before we begin may i just say several things. 
first thing: 
i forgot some ingredients yesterday, please add to your list * cushion pad * yarn * decorative stickers ... it is highly likely i have forgotten other bits and bobs but it will surely be in your boxes of glee and stashes of crafty goodness. also i forgot to mention in the course of the '12 days of joyfulness' you may indeed see some dodgy artificial lite photos, even a bit of blurriness here and there. (gasp, shock and a bit of horror) yes indeedy, due to the time of year and the time of day (or night) i have been beavering away, i have left my fretting ways behind and relied upon artificial lighting, and by doing so, it all became far more joyful to work on.

second thing: 
today's 'how-to' is the most tricky dicky one of all, the rest i promise will not take as long nor require quite so much thought. i have offered this for day one not to make you fret and pack up your box of glee, muttering and weeping, but because i wish you to have more time to work on it. also more to the point, it is the getting started bit that takes the longest, once you are on the right track and know where you are going it will become most joyful i assure you

third thing:
my table runner is tres lacey, i do understand lace is not every ones cup of tea, so before you think about this not being for you and your craftiness, think about swapping out the lace for pieces of fabric which would be most spiffy me thinks

so with all that being said, here we go...

ingredients:


* several old lace table runners, an old net curtain or a length of linen if you prefer
* embroidery floss
* old napkins and other embroidered pieces which can be cut up
* lengths of narrow lace, ribbon or ric rac (trimmings basically)
* a trusty sewing machine and thread in different colours
* pins and scissors 
* a joyful disposition

recipe:

* start by figuring out the rough length you wish your 'terribly nice' runner to be. you may wish to make it so long it drapes over the edges of your table, you may wish to make it so wide it runs all the way to the sides. if this is the case, really i think you are now working on a 'terribly nice' table cloth, which is 'a-okay' with me, but may take you till next gleeful season to finish. 


* once you have figured the size out, you are going to make your bottom layer (a bit wider than the size you wish for), by laying out overlapping lengths old lace table runners, pieces of a net curtain, and wide strips of lace or indeed just one piece of linen. do not be fretting about 'even ends' to your table runner nor fraying edges. once happy, pin in place and with the help of your trusty sewing machine stitch the pieces together with self coloured thread


* now the base of your table runner has been constructed we are going to be applying some nice layers of patched pieces 'a top'. this is where you will have to be brave and just start chopping and seeing where it leads you. place your chopped pieces down on your bottom layer and rearrange into a pleasing order and pin. stand back and ponder, if you are happy then start stitching them down with your trusty machine, this time you may wish to use some coloured thread. you may also wish to add some more layers of lace on this layer.




* the next layer is the detail layer, you may wish to add little doilies or embroidered pieces to certain sparse areas, also lengths of lace, embroidered ribbon or ric rac even. just keep on patching and piecing, always stepping back to ponder and see the 'whole picture'. continue stitching in place and layering as and where you please (remember it is about what you like and not worrying about what others may think). do not get caught up in trying to make everything straight and even, if you step back and see you stitched something down and no longer like it, then patch over it with something you do like.



* now to the 'cherry on the cake' bit. taking some happy coloured embroidery thread add a bit of hand stitched detailing. perhaps a row of cross stitching, a little bit of running stitch or even our beloved french knots. does not have to be fancy, just a bit of decoration 'tis all.




* if you wish to make this more suited to the season than mine, i would suggest appliqueing some appropriate wording like 'JOY' or 'PEACE' to your 'terribly nice' table runner, if not then hoppity skip this step





* the final step is to fold under the two longest sides of your runner and pin. then add a length of trimming or lace along the shorter ends (once again pin in place). with your trusty sewing machine, stitch around the whole outside edge of the runner. by the time you have done this and with all the layers built up and stitched in place, your spiffy 'terribly nice' table runner will have a 'quilted' effect




* place your table runner upon your table. perhaps add a few tea lights to its spiffiness, for that added bit of sparkliness. wait for admiring comments from your clan, do not tolerate those that push it aside so their laptop will fit better on the table. then again perhaps you should... better pushed aside, than find a laptop upon those peachy french knots




inspiration:
a church pew
(a slippery slope)

she'll be back with the 2nd day of joyfulness on sunday ~ Tif 

58 comments:

Lise said...

Oh, my goodness, how I love your style. Reading this as I begin my holiday crafting is just what I needed! I love the way you just layer as you go, filling in gaps, not worrying about everything being straight; it's so liberating! I can't wait to see what else you come up with this season!

Carol said...

Love it, awfully nice, Tif!

We have visitors tomorrow, hope I still get time to go ferretting for long lost lace.

Carol xx

Madelief said...

Your runner looks lovely!

Happy weekend,

Madelief

Anonymous said...

Looks beautiful! The lace and the embroidery looks really pretty :) Can't wait to see what's coming up over the next few days.

Evelyn said...

so lovely ♥

Renee said...

Just gorgeous and peachy keen!

Happy Holidays,

Renee :)

LissyLou said...

That is completely inspiring and gorgeous x

Vintage Market Place said...

GORGEOUS!!!
Hopefully I will find some time to try this.
Amy

Blessed Serendipity said...

I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea! So very charming.

blessings,
Danielle

at-the-attic said...

brilliant ♥

Donna -Little Tiny Stitches said...

OOoooo, I love, love, LOVE 'craft-alongs-with-Tif-Dottie-Angel' :o)

It's fab, and has cheered me up no end :o)

But (tut, there's always a 'but' isn't there LOL) where has your 'JOY' & 'PEACE' got to that you and Ms Ethel sewed on so beautifully?
I'm itchin' to see!

Thankyou most kindly for bringing us your twelve gleeful days Tif:o)

Have a great day my dear.
Love Donna xx

Irena said...

nice nice nice , Irena
http://zivljenje-s-konceptom.blogspot.com

morikomidori said...

b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l❤ and thank you xxx
(sorry for my comment is so teensy and not able to do this lovely post justice but i've gotta run...
see you again tomoz x)

Caryn said...

Ah thank you this is a lovely 1st day of joyful project, I love it! Just today I put out a recently thrifted Christmas table runner but it really did nothing for me, even after ripping up a vintage sheet to crookedly layer under it. I was beginning to think I had lost my Christmas spirit altogether. But, I now believe I will cancel all my other to-do projects for tomorrow and work on a new dottie angel inspired table runner. Thank you as always for sharing your delightfulness with us in blogland :)

espenavarro said...

I like, I want to do one and I have a chance, but how you do it so well and so thought and imagination?
greetings, I follow

me gusta, quiero hacer uno y tengo posibilidades, pero ¿como lo haces tan bien y con tanta imaginación?
saludos, te sigo
http:/tallerdepinturaenavarro.blogspot.com

Gracie said...

frightfully good dahling!

Anonymous said...

Love the table runner and adore the votive holders...perfect =) Xoxoxo

❦Bayside Gal❦ said...

Love your table runner. I have lots of old embroidery pieces and lots of lace curtains I can cut up. I'm off and running on this one. Oh wait! The holidays are coming..I'll have to wait until January for this one, But it's OK.
You have inspired me.
Thanks, Jean

deux chiens et un garcon said...

os lovely thank you. I have a whole pile of doiley's and beautiful embroided napkins that i have been pinning to a table cloth and wondering what to do. I got put off by some comments by others that it will not work. You have so inspired me to go forth and do what my heart says. Much chrissy warm wishes to you and your clan.
xx
Jill

Vic said...

Beautiful! If only I had a dining table worthy of such a pretty craft creation. My tiny little thrifted (but not in a good way) round table would be more at home covered in one of those plastic tablecloths, you know the kind, with too bright holly leaves & a Santa winking questionably in the centre...?

dottie angel said...

oh goodie! delighted you are in inspired to go forth and 'table runner' your homes... already i'm a little giddy waiting for the 2nd day, the anticipation of it.

Vic, thank you for the smiles :)

dottie angel said...

and donna!
well i stitched it on there to show what could be done and then promptly patched over it! i have a lot of 'JOY' on my walls, i did not wish to 'overJOY' on things :)

Michelle said...

My dream has come true...
Dottieangel has gone
"English country"...lol...
The church pew is divine...
Oh how I just want the church...I am really wishing "fate" lends a hand with that Christmas wish...
Love your 1st Day...

Vicki K. said...

It was awfully wonderful of you to lead us by the hand through the terribly nice TR. Really, I feel that I can do it . Thank you!

Sharon Stanley said...

feeling so gleeful! love this first day offering and looking forward to the next 11....

Knitrageous said...

Beautiful! I love everything you do.

Miss Tallulah Porkchop said...

Oh, it's gorgeous.

naughty shorts! said...

MIss Tif, you have inspired me so much today i have spent the afternoon sewing - http://naughtyshorts.blogspot.com/2011/12/joy-to-world.html
THanks so much!! Bec x

liz said...

It is adorable. I am not a fan of table runners but I think I will be making an exception in this case. Liz :)

Lotti said...

This is beautiful. Love your post. Thanks for sharing ..... I'll be back to look when I have a bit more time to try this out.

elin-e said...

I just love it ! Thank you for charing and inspire the whole way to Norway ! :)

elin-e

Kirsten said...

How horribly nice of you to give me the recipe to make this runner! I admire your work and my boxes are full of these exact ingredients! Lol!

Anonymous said...

just so beautiful, great tutorial too. Now to collect some hankies!

opportunityknits said...

You have such a wonderful gift for making lovely, lovely things. It would be joy to sit at your table and look out for all the little embellishments and details. I would love to have a quilt made like this.

jennifer said...

thank you SO much for all the inspiration you've given me over the years...i love that you're doing 12 joyful days!!! can't wait for the next "installment"-and your runner is stunning!!!!!

sue said...

Dottie ! Tif ! You made my day with this darling tutorial and charming words to boot! { especially the part about not tolerating those who push aside the table runner to make room for laptops... } You make me smile ~ Have a splendid December and I look forward to each and every upcoming crafty post... :) -Sue

Vicki Smith said...

Very clever! Vintage linens can be so lovely.

Lisa said...

What a spiffy table runner...could even see it as a nice little valance. Thanks for sharing.

I enjoyed your interview in Vivienne's class the other day.

Do you happen to know the name of the store in England you refer to as Fabric Heavin in a prior post? I might be going there in January and would be over the moon to find some lovel vintage fabrics and bobs.

meppybn said...

Meee-oh-myyyyy - a whole two shelves-full of lace, doilies, old linens have been sitting and sitting and now me-thinks they are going a-walking!!! divinely inspired :)

Joanne said...

Oh how gorgeous. I found you through Sarah at Crafts from the Cwtch.
I have so many dollies at my mums in a drawer, I'm off to ring her to send them up. Table runner here I come.
I really want a church pew, but they are so expensive in the shops I've seen. I can live in hope of stumbling upon one!!
Can't wait for the next craft-a-long!!

Meine Dinge Franka said...

How wonderful!

You must be very patient?!!!


♥ Franka

silly old suitcase said...

Hey Tif!

This is unbelievable pretty!
I really want to make my pillowcovers in this style, thank you so much for inspiring me!
I'll have to wait till Januari, i don't have a minute left to make it now...;-)
Meanwhile i can gather all the materials i need.

I have a little surprise for you, if you take a peek at my blog..

xxhug from Holland

Anonymous said...

Lovely idea. Tomorrow after I shall search through my boxes of bits and pieces and create my own. Thank you so much for the inspiration. Hope Used Dog is doing well. Katrina

2SewRetro said...

I adore your table runner, Tif! Thank you for the inspiration and I have to say that I am looking so forward to the next 11 days! I just moved into an apt. and need some lovely Christmas decorations. I'm sure your ideas will inspire me greatly! I also would like to say that I am in love with your floral tea light glasses. They are the bee's knees for sure! :) Do you happen to know the brand? Perhaps I may find some on Etsy..... Have a lovely night!

Little Blue Mouse said...

How beautiful!

two bones and a bagle said...

I have started work today on a table runner at the workshop of Hope and Elvis where I was able to delve into alsorts of loveliness of just the right kind. I am now tinkering with the lace layer and then I am going to dive into my stash of doilies and lace and tray cloths and I am going to have LOTS of fun. Thanks for the great idea and how to. Will post on my blog when I have finished - it's for my Christmas Dinner Table. Fa la la la la la la la laaaaaaaaaaaa!!

Andria said...

Beautiful!

Candy Pop said...

It is really beautiful! :)

**Anne** said...

How have I not stumble on your beautiful blog before today?!!!! Just loving this gorgeous table runner you've made. This would be a lovely way to use those love pieces that have been handed down from grandparents and great aunties etc... Thank you for sharing.
Anne xx

Faniquito said...

Hello !!!

What a style !!! :) Beautiful... congratules !!!

Xoxo

Ana

Anonymous said...

Beautiful runner, I love all the detail. I just wanted to say that I also read your 'vintage whatnot garland' tutorial recently and made my own version for advent. Here is the link to my blog:

http://antheam.wordpress.com/2011/12/05/my-advent-garland/


Thankyou for the inspiration!

dottie angel said...

many thank yous for the kindly comments!

so happy to hear 'terribly nice' table runners will be dressing up your tables this joyful season!

thank you for sharing your links to your lovely creations, i have enjoyed visiting :)

Lisa, its just off brick lane in london, crikey i can never recall the name of it. i think it is called The Shop and is half way up brick lane, on the right hand side.
glad you liked the interview :)

2sewretro, will be mentioning those tea lights later on in the 12 days of joyfulness, probably in the next couple of days

happy crafting my dears

www.luciadagostinopapel.blogspot.com said...

QUE LINDO CAMINO DE MESA!!! LO VOY A REALIZAR. SOY UNA VERDADERA ADMIRADORA DE DOTTIE ANGEL Y ME ENCANTA TODO LO QUE DISEÑAS. UN CARIÑO ENORME DESDE ARGENTINA!!!!
LUCIA

Sarah said...

I'm really excited but a little scared about this project. I can't wait to try it & I have lots of imperfect vintage pieces. My parents bought several boxes at an estate sale and threw away the well loved and stained pieces. I couldn't stand to see them go like that so I dug them out of the garbage hoping to come up with something to do with them. You've done the hard part and came up with a brilliant idea. I'm afraid I'm going to mess up and ruin the doilies, lace, etc. YIKES!!

PeregrineBlue said...

to die for!!!!!!!!!!

Jitka said...

pure beauty...

antArtiste said...

congratulations... in my country we wish, (health to your hands).. nice, nice, nice..
Dox.

Anonymous said...

HOLA DOTTIE, TE FELICITO POR TAN BELLOS TRABAJOS Y CREATIVOS QUE REALIZAS.
TAMBIEN AGRADECERTE POR SER TAN BONDADOSA CON LAS EXPLICACIONES DE TUS TRABAJOS.
FELICITACIONES!!!!
DESDE ARGENTINA TE ENVIO UN CARIÑO ENORME,
LUCIA D´AGOSTINO
www.luciadagostinopapel.blogspot.com