Holiday Crunch Time

December rolled around just like it does every year…Money was tight, so I decided to make gifts this year for some special ladies. I had the fabric on hand to sew some Christmas table runners and I wanted to make about 12.  Many people would ask, how can you get all of that done in such a short period of time?  Well, I have a few tricks that I have fine-tuned over the years that I would like to share with you in hopes that you can find something that might help you overcome your own Holiday crunch.

1. Select a simple project that looks complicated!  This is just as easy as it sounds.  There are many projects out there that are easy to assemble and sew, and turn out looking great.  My table runner patterns utilized rectangle and squares, there are no angle or curves, so that speeds cutting time and sewing.

2. Compute approximately how much time it will take to make one complete project. This will give you a basis to make a timeline so that you can keep track of your progress.  I figured that it would take me about one hour to cut and piece the top of the runner, and a second hour to quilt and complete it.  That way I knew that I would need to find 24 hours in the next three weeks to complete my twelve projects.  If you know that you’re not going to be able to finish the projects, then cut down the total number of projects that you want to complete. OR scrap the initial plan and move to Plan B.  Life happens and the best laid plans need to be flexible.

3. Use a rotary cutter and cut out in quantity.  I decided to complete 3 runners at a time… so I cut out all the pieces for the three that I am working on and they will basically be the same, though no one else will know it is not an ‘original’.

 4. Select only one color of thread and wind 2 bobbins before beginning.  Thread changes take time, so I select the best color – usually one that matches the border and backing fabric.

 5. Chain or speed sew your pieces together, by sewing from one piece right onto the next piece, going back to clip the threads between each after the sewing has been completed.  I shorten my stitch length to 2.0 when piecing the top so I don’t have to worry about threads coming out.

 6. Sew all the flat seams you can before going to the ironing board, pressing and trimming everything all at once, then back to the machine to stitch the next item together. 

 7. Lay out your backing fabric, right side down (enough for all three), then your batting, then lay your completed piece top right side up as the third layer, leaving about 1” between them.  Pin through all three layers for quilting now, then cut each of them out leaving ½ “ all the way around.  All three are ready to go to the machine for quilting now!

8. Use “stitch-in-the-ditch” quilting. It’s much easier if you have a walking foot when working with layers of fabric.  Also a zipper foot helps you to stitch much more accurately in the ditch without jumping into the top seam.  Be sure to lengthen your stitch to 3.0 when quilting.

9. Cut out enough binding fabric for all three runners. Sew all strips together into one long binding piece.

10. Use “stitch-in-the-ditch” technique to finish the binding.  When I have been really pressed for time and simply didn’t have time to hand sew the back of the binding, this was an acceptable alternative.

11.  Utilize Continuous Quilting.  If you don’t have to lift your presser foot to stop and start, don’t!  When you’re working with square or rectangular shapes you can put your needle down at the end of the row, turn your fabric and continue stitching. This saves a lot of time by not needing to backstitching and clip threads.

12.  Be sure to use the time at your machine to think about your friendships and pray for the people that you are sewing gifts for! 

Don’t let this become a time of tense frustration, you don’t want to lose sight of the real reason for the season!  You can combine speed and still enjoy the sewing experience.  Happy Holidays!