Yesterday, the small size of the OLISO M3Pro Project Iron – Coral and the large 18” x 24” UNIQUE Quilting wool pressing mat made preparing the appliques for our quilted table runner easy.
Today, the table runner will be completed. In addition to ornaments, some sparkle is also needed to decorate for Christmas. I’ll use Gütermann Dekor Metallic Threads on the applique stitch around the decorations to add a sparkle effect.
Gütermann Metallic threads
After considering the fabrics I used for the ornaments, I used the gold and silver metallic threads for my stitching.
Match the metallic threads to the ornament’s fabrics.
For many years, I used any sewing needle I had, no matter what I was sewing. With time, I discovered that the needle does make a difference depending on the thread type, weight, and even the fabrics.
When using metallic thread, I always sew a test. Metallic threads can sometimes be demanding, so I want to see how they behave. The machine, needle, thread, fabrics, and technique can influence the thread’s behavior. For this reason, I always test with two different metallic needle sizes: the SCHMETZ #1743 Metallic Needles Carded—80/12 – 5 count and the SCHMETZ #1752 Metallic Needles Carded—90/14 – 5 count.
SCHMETZ Metallic Needles Carded, 90/12s and 90/14s
My go-to applique stitch is the double blanket stitch. I like petite, so I use a 2.0 stitch length and 2.0 stitch width. Give that stitch or any other decorative stitch a try.
A double blanket stitch
Once you have completed the applique stitches, trace 5 decoration tops onto the paper side of your HEATNBOND Lite Iron-On Adhesive.
Trace 5 ornament toppers onto HeatnBond adhesive
Press the 5 ornament toppers onto the white fabric.
Note: Silver lamé could be used for the ornament toppers to add more sparkle.
Press the ornament toppers onto white fabric
Cut on the drawn line around each piece. Place the ornament toppers on the appliqued ornaments and double-check that the topper is the right size for the ornament. Press in place.
I like to use Gütermann Denim Thread 100m – Black to do my applique stitch around each ornament topper.
The ornament topper is appliqued using a blanket stitch.
Once the applique stitches are complete, use the black Gütermann denim thread and a satin stitch to make the strings and give the illusion of hanging ornaments.
The completed table runner top
I’ll quilt the table runner with diagonal lines spaced 2” apart using the Gütermann Dekor Metallic Thread 200m – Col. 1005. This thread blends with the backing fabric and subtly adds extra sparkle.
White Gütermann metallic thread
With all the ornaments in place and the quilting completed, all that’s left to do is add the binding and put your quilted table runner on display.
The completed Christmas table runner
Today, the stars of the show were the Gütermann Dekor Metallic Threads along with the SCHMETZ #1743 Metallic Needles – 80/12 and the SCHMETZ #1752 Metallic Needles – 90/14.
SCHMETZ metallic needles and Gütermann metallic threads
I hope you’ve enjoyed making this easy, Christmas-themed table runner to display in your home over the holidays. Our Gütermann Dekor Metallic Threads add just the right amount of sparkle.
Tomorrow, I’ll demonstrate how to make individual ornaments to hang or simply put on a piece of furniture. See you then.