Turquoise and Grey Spiral Runner

I just loved this turquoise and grey color combination of a fat quarter collection.  My daughter pointed out that when you put off doing a project, your enthusiasm and excitement of over the fabric tends to wane as other newer purchases steal the thunder.   So this fabric color combination... I wanted to sew it NOW!

I decided to make another spiral table runner.  It would fit no occasion.  It would match nothing in my home decor. I made it none the less.   I made it with a 10 degree ruler instead of a 9 degree ruler.  

With the 10 degree it came out a bit wider and longer.  When I made my  Thanksgiving spiral table runner I need 3/4 yard for backing and that is what I bought for this one.  Alas, I needed a yard so I had to go off to purchase another length of fabric. I really loved the print, anyway.  The color combination is just so unique and luscious. Guess the first 3/4 yard will just get added to my stash. I love the little rusty brown colored squirrels and hedgehogs and the itty bitty red tortoises.

  

Here is the top assembled... 

.. and here it is backed and quilted.

I quilted this one with an in-the-ditch zigzag along every other color interface. You can see it better on the back. Isn't that apple print just adorable?  

Here are the two spiral runners, laid on top of each other for a size comparison- the turquoise/grey one beneath made with a 10 degree ruler and the autumnal one on top made with a 9 degree ruler.  It is not much difference but enough that 3/4 yd of backing is insufficient with the 10 degrees. Just for a sense of scale the step offsets between the colors are 3/4 inch each.  The turquoise/grey runner came out thicker, too, but it's a pretty good bet that that was due to my using whatever batting I had on hand. ;•) I actually prefer the thinner Warm and Natural I used on the Thanksgiving runner.  Light weight glassware can sit on it without feeling tipsy and it seems more decorative.  The thicker batting  thermally insulates better but has a more functional look.

One especially nice part of this project was that I finally remembered to get out my good iron.  I had been sewing with my old Black and Decker clunker because of sewing glitter table covers for my daughter's wedding.  I did not want to gum up the bottom of my good iron. 

Once I resumed using my Rowenta, I was amazed at what a difference an iron can make.  Every seam was crisp and every shot of steam was strong and quick.  It was such a pleasure to work with. Filling was a dream and the pointed tip was so much easier to guide around. I had not realized how badly I was limping along with my backup iron.  Yep, those more pricey irons really are worth the extra investment.