Elegantly Royal

 I initially started this table runner with the intention that it become a gift - the event it was to be gifted at was the end of 2015 - ho hum, can't rush these things.  It may still become a gift, I am not sure.....  I do like it an awful lot myself....

The designer of this pattern, had chosen some motifs from the Royal Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne, hence the name of the pattern Royal Exhibition Elegance (by Michele Hill)

One of the motifs for inspiration of applique.

 I took the above photo while at the flower and garden show in Melbourne.  It took quite a bit of effort to get a photo without somebody's head in it!

When I was choosing the fabrics, I had in mind a Thai/Bali style dinner set, with the lovely ochre and blue pottery dinnerware, hence the choice of batik fabric.

Then I had to choose which thread to applique with....

As you can see, it took me a few goes to get it right.  I settled on a light grey with a fleck in it - perfect.  My good friend, R, claims it took me two hours to choose the right colour!  Cheeky thing!

Applique detail

 The awesome backing fabric is from the "Melba" range by Leesa Chandler, it was a happy sewing room accident when I was flinging fabric out of the cupboard to find a backing piece and this one landed on it - just gorgeous.... :)

Once the applique was completed, I quilted a long feather design along the longest sides and filled in the rest with stipple and in the ditch around the applique pieces.

And.... drum roll please... here is a photo of the completed table runner, in all of it's extremely looonnnggg glory - 208cm x 49.5cm (82in x 19.5in)

Yes, I would definitely make Royal Exhibition Elegance  again - such a terrific pattern, because after the pieces are all fused to the background, the applique was relatively easy.

21/06/2017 Update - not a gift, I put it onto my own dining table where it looks fabulous and the whole family loves it.  :)