Paper pieced blocks
 

This is my first attempt at paper piecing blocks and then putting them together in a table runner. Not perfect, by any means, but then again, I learned alot. Mostly to be careful with your seam ripper :) I stitched in the ditch around the parts of the houses which was a challenge in itself. I also had trouble with ending the binding strip on a diagonal. Thorn in my flesh!! I bought a tool to help with that; watched videos on it; sewed and ripped and sewed and ripped the joining seam out numerous times. I either sewed it the wrong way or it ended up being too big--like 1/2 inch too big. Never did figure out what I did wrong, so I just trimmed it 1/2 inch and then sewed it together. Suggestions on why it was 1/2 inch off. I used the Binding tool where you leave a 12 inch space between tails. Tails are to be 10 inches long on each side. I butted the tool up to where I started the binding and marked on the correct markings. Flipped it 180 degrees and did the same to the other side, except this time I measured and then cut from the tip of the tool like the instructions said. If anyone has used the Binding Tool (large one), any suggestions on my problem would be appreciated. Thanks for looking and overall I did enjoy making this.

Very nice! Looks good to me.

I looks really good to me. Can't tell you how many times I have watched the videos and watch them again. Then again. I can do a test and still get it wrong. Yours looks really good.

Very pretty runner. The top house looks pretty intricate. Very impressive for your first attempts. Will look forward to seeing others - hope you'll share:)

Your runner looks good, nice job!
I used to have troubles doing binding until I found this tutorial:
http://piraterodgers.com/tutorials/e...ding/index.htm
Actually, all of Pirates' tutes are very good. I use striped bias binding on most of my quilts since I learned from her how to do it.

Cari

I have also used that binding tool. The first time it worked perfectly and now I can't get it right. It does make an excellent template to cut strips for a French Braid table runner. :rolleyes:

Are you talking about the binding tool fromMSQC or another?

I like your tablerunner...congrats on learning a new technique and seeing it thru

Thanks for all the responses. Geri, the Binding Tool is by TQM Products-The Quilters Mercantile. There was a tutorial on MSQC that was pretty good. I've watched it alot. There is also one on done by The Fat Quarter Shop called How to hand bind a quilt featuring the Binding tool. It was on YouTube.

I will check that out Cari-in-Oly. Thank you!