I started a table topper at the retreat. It's the pointy one with 8 kite shapes. I have the kites cut out but can't remember what to do next and I don't have any directions. Does anyone know who to contact? I don't remember.

I got an email a few hours later from one of my classmates with the "reader's digest" version of instructions.
I'm working on them too...were you in my class, too? Chanlady and I were in the hallway and I have no clue about who else was there.
If you pm me with your email, I'll forward the one I got.

Keep You In Stitches finished hers...she might know.
Crazy'boutquilts taught it, but she may be traveling??

I hope it's ok to post this here...

Table topper
Fussy cut eight
Cut 16 1x7 binding strips
Sew to one side and press down
Sew to opposite side and press opposite way
Sew four together\press seams open
Sew two halves together
Cut backing square big enough
Cut batting big enough
Trim all to same size
Top and back right sides together and put batting on top of backing
Sew together worth 3/8 inch seam allowance and take one stitch parallel to point
Snip in corners up to line leaving an opening back stitched
Trip and cut points
Turn
Sew close opening
Stitch in ditch and quilt as desired.
Applause!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: wildcatmom,

HuH! Applause for a little more direction AND and Pic. Thank you!

Crazy'boutquilts is the one who taught that class. But, reading Wildcat's directions looked like what I remembered.

I can't wait to see the finished product! It's going to make such a beautiful gift!

Karen, thanks for sharing the info. I know Sister Sue took the class and I've copied the directions so she can finish hers. I hope I saved them somewhere where I can find them again.LOL LOL

Dang Karen's memory is good!

Oh, as you sew the kites together, press the seams open.

quote:

Originally posted by thimble lady:
HuH! Applause for a little more direction AND and Pic. Thank you!

When I get one done...will be sure to post. KYIS did post one on the COF class project thread.

Thanks, Sherry. I'm to the "sew four together" and 'seams open' was my guess. Think I'll edit the post.
To be sure....my post was not from memory, but a simple "cut and paste" from pandibear.

The directions are for a table topper that takes 8 kite shaped pieces. More soon!

Thanks y'all for taking care of this, and I'm sure that between all those who took the class, it can be worked out

CBQ is on vacation at a friend's house in KS, and only has dial-up internet, so probably won't see her on here til next week

Wasn't able to get to the class, so will try at a later date

I'm not stitching in the ditch...just using some decorative stitches in some of the stripes.

When sewing the sections together (The big kites) do you use a 1/4 seam allowance? I know the top and bottom are 3/8.

1/4" is what I'm using...hope that's right. The first 2 went together ok, but have the backs to do yet.

Checked my notes from that class and they do say to use a 3/8" seam allowance when finishing the top. I take that to mean when the top is pieced and you are putting together with the backing and batting.

I plan on using the 1/4" when I piece the rest of mine.

Quilting Wifey - you did the smallest version of the table topper. I never did see yours finished. I know you are little busy with the new little addition to the family, but any chance we could see a picture of that one? I bought some fabric with a smaller stripe design and am wondering to hear how yours went!

Finished! I did not stitch in the ditch. I picked various fancy machine stitches and sewed in the stripes around the tabletopper and along the edge.

This is the large topper. Kites sewn together with 1/4" seams. Outside seam sewing all together is 3/8".

I REALLY like this! DHs family reunion is next weekend. I need to make a small topper for the raffle.

I left before the class. Can you post the dimensions for the kite piece, I think I can figure out the rest. It looks really cool, sorry I missed it. Thanks, tami

Tami - There are three different sizes, but i think you could make it any size that you like. You just need to start with a 45 degree angle and make eight of those pieces. You can make the outer edge any shape you like.

Here is the top of the small size. there are, of course, parts that can be improved due to my eyesight, the lighting at the time and my choice of marking utensils. It went together very well. For the faux binding strips at the top edges I used 2 strips cut 1 inch wide and chain stitched them on the kite pieces, cut apart and then chained again on the second side.

An option for you to be sure that things lay flatter if your hand tracing or cutting are "wavy" (like mine were!) If you press the seams all the same direction in a circle movement (ex. all seams to the left) then if there are any pleats formed as you press the piece flat you can restitch in the seam where the fold has been pressed in and you end up with a more even, flat product.

In case you have a bubble in the center because your eyes were as poor as mine when I traced and cut, spray Best Press or starch in the center and let it soak in to become wet. Press with a hot iron so it forms steam and dries in the pressing. The heat and steam will work to flatten the fabric and the whole piece will be smooth and flat. If the bubble is really bad it might take a repeated application of starch and steam.

Here is the front of mine.

The top stripe matched/met quite well, I had a harder time in the center because of my vision and cutting. It is hard to see the frixon pen on dark fabric in lower lighting. Next time I will use a ruler on top of the template to have better cuts. When I was cutting with scissors at the retreat the fabric was waving in the breeze since I didn't have space on the table. This also made some of my points a bit short. I will need to try another one with the rotary and ruler on a solid cutting surface. I placed the "shoulders" of the "kite" on the red strip.
Next time I would use a tape marking on the template to also mark the placement of the bottom stripe.

Here is the back side. You can see all the seams going in the same direction.

Quillty Wifey, that is a very pretty tabletopper. Did you use registration marks on the template for the stripes? We still haven't found Sues' templates, where do things disappear to???

CBQ goes home tomorrow- has to be home for her wedding anniversary so probably won't be on until at least Thursday. Good luck. The finished toppers are really pretty- I haven't made mine yet.

Pretty!

Ok! You had templets? Made or bought? This is just beautiful but looks soooo difficult. Pleeeeeeeeease give me some more details. All of the pics are gorgeous and look so professional. You must have had a great time!!!!

They are gorgeous! Is there a pattern? Would love to try to make one.

pattyj, yes I used registration marks. When I traced the templates on the plastic I also drew a line from "shoulder point to shoulder point" on each size. Then I chose to put the line on my upper stripe.

Michelle, CBQ didn't have a "pattern" but had found an acrylic ruler with the sizes all on one. We made templates from them. It really does go together well.

Since CBQ was the teacher, I will wait to let her respond before I give away "her work". If she misses this, then remind us. These would make great craft sale items or quick gifts.

Those table toppers are really pretty but look cmplicated to make. The teacher must have been great!

I know this is a silly question. But could one of you tell me if the fabric you used for the table topper have the stripes on it or is it pieced? I keep looking at an I think it is one piece. Thanks.

The magic is in the striped fabric, with a small (1") faux binding on the outside. Really easy and looks like such a lot of work.

Judy

Yes, the stripes in the center of the topper were from the fabric. The ones going around the points are sewn on strips.

I did recently read a Blog where someone had actually pieced her fabric stripes of choice,various widths and then cut her 45 degree shapes for this runner and it did come out nice.

These are great mats and runners. Thanks for showing and discussing so we could glean some info on the making.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TcMay,