I have been wanting to make a set of placemats for ages and finally had the time to do it. I searched my library for a pattern but didn't find exactly what I was looking for. I found a couple of good designs on-line and then hit upon this Color Blocks Placemat tutorial. Not only did this 'Sew Along' offer step-by-step instructions for making modern and simple placemats and matching napkins, the designer is none other than one of my favourite quilters, Elizabeth Hartman from Oh Fransson. I have done several Elizabeth Hartman projects from her awesome Craftsy classes, Inspired Modern Quilts and Creative Quilt Backs, I have her books, and I love her style and techniques so I knew this was exactly what I was looking for!
I am so proud that I used scraps from my stash to make the set of mats. It took a little fiddling but I found enough fabric to piece each one so that it co-ordinated with the others. A fat quarter bundle of 'Clouds & Sunshine' from Connecting Threads had a good selection of greys and yellows to choose from. I love the pop of colour here and there. I had a yard of periwinkle fabric that was perfect for the backing and binding and as luck would have it, I picked up a very close match at the quilt festival I went to which made up the balance of what I needed. This design is very similar to my Low Volume Tiles quilt.
Piecing was a breeze and the good thing about making a set of smaller quilts (which is really what they are) is that you can chain piece and really get into the rhythm because you have to do 6 repetitions. The bad thing about making a set of smaller quilts is that you have to do everything 6 times! haha! That also means binding x6 and ugh, 24 mitered corners! (Not my favourite task!). Still, it didn't take long to get them all done and I really like how they turned out. I used a pretty grey Aurifil thread to quilt them with a modern straight line design. I love my Hera marker for giving me guidelines to follow without having to remove any markings. It is a great tool!
Thanks for stopping by and taking a look. Things are about to get crazy over here as hubby and I have bought a new house. There is so much to do but it is all very exciting. I am so thrilled that I will have more room in the basement for my workshop and I can bring back my quilt frame! :) Please don't give up on me if my posts are a little less frequent. I will have to pack up my stuff and probably won't be able to start any new quilts but I will try to post as often as possible!
Thanks for the site for the placemats, have been wanting to make some myself. My granddaughter made two, but we did that by the seat of our pants. Congratulations on your new home purchase. How exciting. I will look forward to reading all about your adventure.
Posted by: Karen | May 13, 2015 at 10:03 AM
OMG, you are moving?!?!? Congrats!!! I want to hear all the details.
I love the placemats and the color scheme is so cute. Anything with blue gets my thumbs up.
Posted by: Maureen | May 14, 2015 at 01:13 AM