Placemat Tutorial using Quick Easy Mitered-Binding Tool

6 / 4 / 126 / 20 / 12

I made these placemats for my daughter and they were so easy to make. I love that they are fat quarter friendly. I recently bought a set of six fat quarters and I actually used them all before they got lost in the stash!

If you have a stash of fat quarters, now is your chance to pull them out and get sewing!

Let me share the “how to” with you.

For six placemats, you will need:

6 coordinating fat quarters
1 1/2 yards fabric for back and binding (or 6 fat quarters)
1 1/2 yards Pellon Thermolam fleece or batting scraps. I used batting scraps for this set of placemats, but I like the Thermolam better. It adds more stability.
Quick Easy Mitered-Binding Tool for binding (optional) See this post for more information.
You can also add binding the traditional way. Add 5/8 yard fabric for separate binding.

Step 1: Trim all of the fat quarters to 15″ x 18″. (Make sure to save your scraps – you should be able to have enough left over for a table runner!) Divide these (6) fabrics into three sets of 2 each. These sets should look good together because they will become a pair of placemats.

Note: I forgot to take pictures of each step using the same fabric set, so you will see a variety of fabric pairs along the way.

Step 2: Stack (2) 15″ x 18″ rectangles (one set) on top of each other right sides up. Cut 2 3/4″ on each side of rectangles as shown in this Placemat diagram. It’s easiest to rotate the cutting mat rather than the fabric when cutting each side.

Step 3: Peel back the layers and arrange the cut layers so that you have two placemats with opposite colors in the center and outside corners:

Step 4: I forgot to take a picture of this step, but you’ll be sewing together the pieces in 3 sections: top row, center and bottom row. Then sew the three sections together. You will have a placemat that looks like this:

Repeat steps 1 – 4 for remaining sets of placemats.

Step 5. Cut the backing fabric into 6 rectangles, 18″ x 21″ or if using fat quarters, leave as is. Layer the backing, batting (or Thermolam) and placemat top and baste.

Step 6: Quilt by stitching in the ditch along the seam lines. I also stitched vertical rows in the center about 2″ apart.

Step 7: Starting with this step, I will be assuming that you are using the Quick Easy Mitered-Binding Tool to wrap the backing fabric to the front to form the binding. If not, you can finish your placemats with traditional binding methods.

Trim batting even with placemat top. You can use scissors or a rotary cutter. If you use a rotary cutter, make sure that you place a small cutting mat between the backing and batting and be careful not to cut through to the backing fabric. (Trust me I know). The picture below shows the rotary cutter method.

Step 8: Trim the backing fabric 1″ away from the placemat on all four sides for a 1/2″ wide finished binding.

Step 9: Press the edge of the backing 1/2″ over so that the raw edge of the backing fabric meets the quilted top edge.

Step 10: You can use the instructions for the Quick Easy Mitered Binding Tool found in my previous post. Here is a step-by-step picture of the mitering process:

Here is what the back looks like:

I had enough fabric scraps left over that I made a matching table runner too! The finished size is 15″ X 38″.

Here are my scraps and how I put them together:

These make great housewarming gifts, wedding/shower gifts, Christmas gifts or maybe you can keep them for yourself!

Product Review – Quick Easy Mitered-Binding Tool

5 / 25 / 125 / 17 / 18

I have recently discovered a great tool for making mitered binding. It’s called the Quick and Easy Mitered Binding Tool by Sew Biz. Ask for it at your local quilt shop or shop online.

It’s designed to use the backing fabric to wrap around to the front of your project and form a binding; rather than a separate piece of binding that is added the more traditional way.

Here’s how it works:

1. Once you have basted and quilted a quilt or other project (a placemat in my example), you will trim the batting even with the quilt top as shown:

2. Determine how wide your finished binding will be. Trim the backing twice the width of that. In my example, I wanted my binding to be 3/4″ wide, so I trimmed the backing to 1 1/2 inches.

3. Press the backing so that it meets the edge of the quilt top/batting. Repeat on all four sides.

4. Place the mitered binding tool in the corner, matching up the lines on the ruler with the quilt top corner and draw a line along the top edge as shown:

5. Draw a line where the previous line intersects with the crease that was formed during pressing. This will form a slanted “X” at the intersection.

6. Fold the corner back on itself with right sides together and pin. Make sure the pin goes through both “X’s” that were formed previously to ensure that the lines match up.

7. Stitch on the drawn line from fold to the crease, backstitching at beginning and end.

8. Trim seam allowance 1/4″ from stitching.

9. Turn the stitched corner to the inside so that a miter is formed. Use a long tool such as a point turner to push the corner out to a sharp point. Repeat steps 4 – 9 on all four corners.

10. Press the binding over the quilt top and stitch along folded edge. Make sure to stitch as close to edge as possible, otherwise a flap will form and it won’t lay flat.

The mitered corners are beautiful and they have perfect points!

I’ll be sharing a tutorial on my placemats soon. Update: The Easy Fat Quarter Placemat tutorial is available here. Here’s a peek of the corners:

I highly recommend this tool and I think it would work great on so many things like baby blankets, placemats, and quilts. Give it try!

Happy Quilting!

Julie

A gift for my mom and a Happy Mother’s Day!

5 / 12 / 124 / 29 / 13

I just finished this table topper for my mom today. It will be a late Mother’s Day gift since I have to send it to her, but the card should be on time!

My mom has always supported me in everything I do and she is my number one fan. I recently sent her some of my new business cards and by the end of the week, she had handed them all out to her crafty friends! Thanks, Mom, for everything you do for me!

I used fabric from Jennifer Chiaverini’s collection for Red Rooster Fabric called Elm Creek Quilts: Caroline’s Collection. I love the soft colors. My favorite piece from this line ended up on the back:

The pattern is a “Tiny One” from Pieced Tree Patterns and it’s a small laminated card that sells for $3.50 at my local shop, The Granary. They carry at least ten of these patterns and they make great gifts – both the pattern and the finished project!

This one, Center Stage, is the perfect size for the center of a round or octogonal table and it measures 28 inches across. I quilted a feathered wreath in the center and stitched in the ditch along the main color pathways.

It took me three days to complete and I can’t wait to make another one!

Happy Mother’s Day to you all! I hope you get to spend time with your loved ones and maybe your sewing machine too!

Julie

Chicken and Shrimp Fajitas Recipe

5 / 6 / 126 / 20 / 12

This is one of my family’s favorite dinners, and it’s so versatile! My vegetarian daughter loves it as well as the ~~picky~~ youngest one. The marinade works well with both chicken and shrimp. On this occasion, I only used chicken.

Chicken and Shrimp Fajita Marinade Ingredients:

1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp. seasoning salt
1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper
1 T. olive oil
2 T. lime juice (fresh if possible)
1 1/2 lb. sliced chicken (breast and/or thighs) OR 1 1/2 lb. lg. shrimp, peeled

Combine all ingredients. Marinate chicken or shrimp at least two hours. Saute in large skillet until cooked through.

The other key players for this fiesta are cheese, salsa, tortillas, beans (I used refried), guacamole, rice, and sauteed vegetables.

Here’s how I make my guacamole: Dice 2 to 3 large avocados, and add 1/4 c. diced onion, 1/4 c. chopped cilantro, juice of half a lime, crushed red pepper to taste, salt and pepper to taste.

For the sauteed vegetables: I use whatever is in my fridge at the moment. This time I had onions, red and yellow bell peppers, cauliflower, carrots, and zucchini. Slice or dice them all and saute with a little olive oil. Add salt, pepper, and a little cumin and chili powder toward the end. Sometimes I cover it all with a lid and allow the veggies to steam for a little if they’re still not cooked after 5 – 10 minutes of sauteing.

For the rice: I like to add fresh lime juice and cilantro to the steamed rice – it’s a bit like Chipotle’s and it’s delish.

Sometimes I make my own salsa if it’s tomato season, otherwise I buy it pre-made. Here’s everything on the table:

I have to admit, I’m a little hungry right now. And a margarita sounds good too!

Have a great day!

Julie

May Day Basket Wallhanging Tutorial – Part 3

5 / 2 / 124 / 6 / 18

My May Day Basket Wallhanging is done – I mean quilted with binding and a hanging sleeve! Woo hoo! You can find Part 1 of this tutorial here and Part 2 is here.

Let me walk you through the final phase – adding the sashing and borders.

Supplies needed:

In addition, you’ll need 1/4 yard of binding fabric and 1 yard of backing fabric.

Instructions:

Step 1. Lay out your blocks, sashing strips, and cornerstone (center square) according to the picture below:

As you can see in the photograph, I have not added all of the flower appliques yet. I had to use this picture for this step, because I didn’t have any other!

Step 2: Attach sashing to blocks and cornerstone; press towards sashing.

Step 3: Sew rows together; press towards sashing:

Step 4: You will be adding the border strips and corner squares next. Your strips should be 4″ wide and the length should be 22 1/2″. Before you cut them to that length, measure your quilt top through the center (vertically and horizontally) and cut your border strips to that measured length. Lay out your pieces as shown below:

Step 5: Attach the borders to both sides of the quilt and press towards the border. Attach the corner squares to both sides of the top and bottom border strip, pressing towards the border fabric:

Step 6: Attach top and bottom border units, making sure to match seams and pin. Press towards border:

Now you’re done with the quilt top! You still need to quilt it and add binding. I’ll share some pictures of the quilting that I did on my wall hanging. It’s fun to quilt on small projects like this one. They’re easier to handle and they don’t take all ~~week~~ month to finish.

First, I stitched in the ditch along the sashing, borders and baskets. Then I added the pebble quilting around the flowers:

This kind of dense quilting really makes the applique pop out. Here is a picture without the quilting:

See how flat the applique is? What a difference! You can see the “invisible” machine applique stitching more before the quilting is added. Afterwards, it virtually disappears.

I used one stencil in this quilt (in the sashing); everything else was drawn and/or stitched free hand. Here’s an example of a section that I drew a design on with a purple air-erasble pen first and then quilted shortly after:

And here is the feathered border (that I drew first) and then stitched:

In the outside corner squares, I just traced the applique flower and stitched.

I added cross-hatching to the baskets and a little feather swirl on each side:

These were marked with a blue water-soluble pen (my favorite marking tool) and afterwards a few sprays of water from a spray bottle and they’re gone!

I used Sulky and DMC 50 wt. cotton thread for most of the quilting. For the pebbles, I used Superior’s King Tut 40 wt. and it was too heavy for such dense quilting. It’s hard to tell the difference in the pictures, but the thread sits on top of the fabric too much, instead of sinking in. So after quilting three basket blocks with it, I finally switched over to a Clover silk thread and it turned out much better!

Thanks for joining me on my May Day Basket tutorial. And I just found out that I was featured on CraftGossip.com! Check it out!