Turquoise 2010

This terrific table runner combines two of 2010’s top trends: the color turquoise and ruffles. Hats off to our new friend, Angela Yosten; a web developer for Moda Fabrics, United Notions and Moda Bake Shop… as well as a very creative blogger under the name, Moda Home Mom. We met Angela recently while setting up our designer relationship with Moda Fabrics. She was very enthusiastic about our Turquoise 2010 series and had a great idea for a table runner, using a Moda pre-cut Jelly Roll. Angela’s designs have been featured on many popular blogs and sites, and we are thrilled she wanted to share one with us. We’ll be returning the favor very soon – be looking for a Sew4Home pre-cut project to be featured on Moda Bake Shop.

Handy. Dandy. That’s our market/craft apron. Ultra-clever folding allows you to create it using just one main chunk o’ fabric plus a little bit of trim. I especially like the way the hem shows on the front between the waistband and the pocket pouch. Top stitching holds it all together, and a line of pretty decorative stitching across the pocket binding makes it extra special. This would be one fancy yet functional apron to wear for those of you who make and sell your crafts at local fairs and markets.

Some well-known facts: toy cars are cool, toy cars roll best on hard surfaces, hard surfaces hurt your bottom after a while. We came across this totally fun Michael Miller fabric, in 2010’s Color of the Year, and knew it would make a dandy play mat. Though we usually try to keep our projects to simple squares and rectangles here at Sew4Home, this one cried out for an interesting shape. I mean, really, if you’re playing cars, doesn’t it make much more sense for your play mat to be in the shape of a retro car and trailer?

Yesterday you learned how to make delicate organza flowers. Let’s put them to use with this Turquoise 2010 project. You’ll also use your new skill of inserting concealed zippers. Why … it’s like three projects in one! We love the swirling pattern on this brocade. Very elegant, and yet it doesn’t detract from the beautiful flowers.

Even though it’s really tricky to spell, corduroy is cool. It adds interest to any project and comes to loads of wonderful colors, like Turquoise, 2010’s Color of the Year. We took corduroy’s terrific texture to the next level by spinning the wale to create an awesome center diamond, then we kicked out the corners by turning those famous fabric ridges in yet another direction. We did all this without getting dizzy. A beautiful silver button through the middle adds the finishing touch. It’s just one plain fabric, but by being playful with the design, it’s certainly not just one plain pillow.

Welcome to the first of our Turquoise 2010 projects. We’re celebrating the many shades of this great blue-green blend all year, and what better place to start than the turquoise of a classic Native American design. You could make this type of bound blanket with any combination of fabrics, but what makes ours so gorgeous is the classic Pendleton wool and the surprise texture of its coordinated corduroy binding. The beautiful weave of Pendleton wool makes their fabric striking from both the front and the back, and with this type of binding, you can display it either way to dramatic effect.