Progress Report About Those Quilting Fabrics

I am happy to report that I have used the majority of the quilting fabrics that I blogged about here. And I used at least a yard of another quilting fabric as well as a yard of flannel, which I used instead of batting. For tabletop things such as placemats and table runners, I prefer a thinner, flatter finish rather than a puffy, quilt-like finish, so I use flannel fabric instead of batting. Oh, plus I came across a few (?) yards of flannel before I looked for batting.

So far I've made one short table runner and four placemats. Here are a couple of photos:

Four placemats

 

Two placemats and a table runner

And here is how we usually use placemats: on top of a tablecloth. (It's easier to launder placemats than tablecloths, plus as the weather cools, the tablecloth adds a bit of warmth.)

All ready for today

I'm including a few construction details for you and also to help me remember for next time.

Press and then pin the completed placemat top to flannel. Notice that the corner pins are parallel to the edge rather than at a 45 degree angle, which makes the stitching easier. Machine baste about 1/8 in. in from the edge of the placemat top.

Optional: Trim to remove flannel.

Press the pieced top, which has been basted to the flannel, to the backing fabric (brown), which is placed wrong side up. Trim. Then move the backing fabric to on top of the the pieced top and pin, marking (with two pins or a clip) the place to stop stitching, which will create the opening for turning.

From the back, you can see the 1/4 in. stitching all around, except for about 4 in. at the center of the bottom, which is the opening for turning. Clip the corners. Turn. Press. Machine quilt.

One placemat, completed. 

One table runner, completed.

I am planning to make another table runner, narrower so that it can be used with four placemats. And it looks like I will make some coasters. And maybe some trim and pockets for an apron.

I welcome any other ideas. I'm really glad I decided to use this fabric now rather than know that it will be next fall before I am motivated to use it again. It's so autumnal! 

Blessings and peace...

Must Use These Quilting Fabrics

In organizing my fabrics—something I've been wanting to do for a few months years—I came across these coordinated cotton fabrics that I bought at a very nice little quilt shop. 

1/2 yard panel

1 yard striped print (a little more than half is shown)

Top left: panel. Bottom left: striped print. Right: 1 yard each gold and green "mottled" solid.

I am not a quilter, but once in a while I go to a quilt shop with a friend who is a quilter. Of course I want these independent shops to stay in business, and I did like the look of these fabrics, but here we are at least a year later, and I still haven't done anything with them. If I don't sew them up now, it will be at least another year before I look at them again—because of the seasonal nature of the prints.

I found a free project sheet at Fabric Depot; here's the cover:

Project sheet

As you can see from the project sheet, I don't have all the fabrics in the collection (whew!).  The project sheet is 9 pages and includes instructions for making everything you see here.

I plan to make a reversible table runner and a small (approximately 12-in. square) table topper. But I don't need any more placemats. 

Do you have any ideas or suggestions or links to easy—remember easy, please—for using up this fabric? I'd like to make some gifts that people would really like and use. Maybe a set of coasters from the smaller print? Maybe an easy apron? Any other ideas?

Bonus points / extra credit for any ideas that use these fabrics in something I could wear without looking like I'm wearing a quilt.

I'm making myself use this fabric to burn it into my brain to stop buying fabrics for quilting projects! Maybe it's not my responsibility to keep quilt shops in business.

Thanks for any and all suggestions. I will post updates. Achi dachi!

Blessings and peace...