Tracey Wright has enjoyed sewing since childhood. She even makes some of her own skirts and blouses. And she’s taken on numerous special projects for her children.

“The kids were in drama, so I did costumes for them,” she said.

As an instructor at Cabin Fever Quilt Shoppe in Downtown Auburn for the past five years, Wright has been able to be involved in many varieties of needlework. But she has her favorites.

“I enjoy piecing and hand quilting,” she said recently at the store.

Wright and her co-workers teach classes for beginner to advanced projects. They also create their own kits and patterns.

For make-and-take day, to be held Saturday at the store, attendees can watch a demonstration and even purchase the materials and make their own tote bag, with guidance, as needed, from instructors. There will also be a special project for children.

For a rainy afternoon project or a relaxing Saturday activity, Wright suggests the Cut & Quick Cupcake Runner. She and fellow instructor Susan Fuquay created the design.

The runner is not only easy to make, it is very versatile.

For the cupcakes, you can make your own pattern or visit Cabin Fever to pick up a free copy of the instructions. Or you can choose your own design to reflect personal interests or a holiday theme.

For free applique designs and ideas, visit Web site freeapplique.com

The three-layer runner can also be reversible, with different fabrics and patterns on each side.

Wright suggests using a solid or “calm” background for one side and a print or bright color for the back. The fabric should be 100 percent cotton. The completed project will be slightly smaller than 18 inches wide by 45 inches long.

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Cute & Quick Cupcake Runner

by Tracey Wright and Susan Fuquay

Materials:

1 yard each for background and back

Scraps for cupcakes or other motif. (about 20 5-inch squares)

18-inch by 45-inch piece of batting

1 yard of fusible web

½ yard fabric for binding

Directions:

Select a background fabric and cut it to 18-inches by 45 inches Do the same with the fabric you want on the back of your table runner. You can even make it reversible for another season!

You also need a thin batting the same size.

Using a large plate as your guide (or pattern template) draw a rounded corner on all four corners of your background fabric.

Fusible web is used to make ironing on a custom motif super easy! Trace your cupcake onto paper of fusible web (Remember the image will be reversed). Follow manufacturer’s directions to cut and iron shapes onto background in a manner that pleases you.

Layer top, batting and back fabric and baste with extra large stitches or safety pins. Quilt (stitch) through all three layers in any pattern you like using a thread that matches your background. You can meander or make straight lines.

This can be done by hand or machine and holds everything together.

After quilting is finished, cut on the curved drawn lines at corners through all thicknesses and trim sides straight as needed.

Bind the edges by cutting four 2½-inch strips of 42-inch wide fabric. Join them end to end into one long piece; fold in half lengthwise; printed side out. Line up raw edge of binding to raw edge of runner. Sew ¼-inch seam allowance around the whole runner, joining ends by overlapping. Flip folded side toward the back; press and hand sew down with a whipstitch. Done!

For a free printed copy of the pattern, drop by Cabin Fever Quilt Shoppe and ask at the front desk for the Cupcake Table Runner pattern.