Here Comes the Sun Blog Hop

Thank you Carol from Just Let Me Quilt for hosting this month’s blog hop. What is the challenge for “Here Comes the Sun”? Sew something that has a summer theme like sunglasses, beach items, sunny skies, and/or yellow colors. It can be a quilt, a bag, a toy, or whatever you want it to be.

For this month’s blog hop I chose to pull out my Crafter’s Edge Grandmother’s Fan die set. I used it a year ago to make my Watermelon Placemats and Table Runner and the die was perfect for creating beautiful rays of sunshine. I also used the QST Even Die Set to add extra details to both ends of the table runner.

My Project:

I decided to make a long table runner for the piece of furniture that sits under my TV. I have a fall and Christmas runner but nothing for spring or summer. I also went out on a limb and used a colored/patterned background. I am always “trying” to use my stash and this project was perfect for it. My yellow sun rays were all made with scraps and fat quarters I already had on hand and the background and binding was something I inherited from my late Aunts stash. Below you can see a slide show of my progression.

How I made my “Rays of Sunshine” table runner:

  • Cut out all the pieces. I used 18 yellow rays and 18 background rays. You need 6 quarter circles for the main part of the suns. In addition, I used the quarter square triangle die and added 4 QST to both ends of my table runner. I used the 4″ size.
  • Cut out your background pieces. I used three 16 1/2″ x 21″ pieces.
  • Sew your rays and background rays together. Slowly sew the quarter circles to your piece.
  • Sew together 2 quarter suns to make a half circle sun.
  • Use fabric stiffener to help with fraying along the curved edge. (Optional)
  • Trim away the fray.
  • Use spray baste to help keep your applique in position for applique. (Optional)
  • Applique your suns to the background fabric.
  • Sew together your pieces.
  • If adding the decorative ends, assemble together your QST and sew 4 of them in a row.
  • Sandwich, baste and quilt you table runner. Add binding using your preferred method.
  • Finished!

Thanks for joining me! Check out all the other bloggers hosting today. You can find the full list HERE!

The other bloggers featured today:

MooseStashQuilting

Inflorescence (You are Here!)

Ms P Designs USA

Quilting Gail

Vroomans Quilts

Continue to bloom by choosing JOY ~ Julia

27 thoughts on “Here Comes the Sun Blog Hop

  1. What a great project, and although you have used dies, I think a dieless person(like me), could use a wedge ruler, or draw a template and make some of your lovely flowers. It is so pretty, and the backing piece looks as if it could be reversible.. Thanks you.

  2. I love your sun ray table runner. What a great way to bring a little sunshine inside for the summer!

  3. This is really beautiful and such a treasure to use some of your late aunt’s fabrics. You nailed the theme with hottie of a runner! Thanks for sharing, Julia!

  4. What a striking topper for the TV table. You are totally set as I can even see the backing side being a perfect summer runner.

  5. What a pretty table runner. Definitely fits the Here Comes the Sun theme. I hope it will not be completely hidden by the TV. That would be a real shame.

  6. do you have measurements for “rays” to be cut without the fancy die system?
    ie width at top, width at bottom and overall length?
    do love the runner!! so clever

    1. Thanks! The quarter circles is 5 1/2″, the top of the ray measures 3 1/4″ the length is 6 1/2″ and the bottom has a slight curve to it but is 1 1/2″.

  7. Love the colors in your table runner fits the season perfectly. Actually loved that you got 2 wonderful runners out of this project

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