This month's Island Batik Challenge was to make placemats. We just received our first box of fabric and supplies for 2021. Thank you so much to all the sponsors: Island Batik, Schmetz Needles, Accuquilt, Hobbs Batting, and Aurifil.
I was thinking about placemats and how they are traditionally rectangular. I decided I wanted to make them a different shape and try to make then a little more modern. I wanted a leaf shaped design.
I started with some gorgeous Island Batik foundations fabric (fabric available all the time) called Baja which is gorgeous blues and greens. I then layered it with my favorite Hobbs 80/20 cotton/poly batting and started quilting away.
I had just taken an online class from Julia Quiltoff on Doodle quilting and was practicing my skills.
I love the overall look of the piece once it was quilted. It was hard to cut into, but I really did want a leaf shape.
I decided that I wanted to add some feather appliques onto the placemats once they were quilted so I pulled out my Heather Feather Border die and my Accuquilt Go BIG. I found a beautiful dark navy to cut my feathers out of and cut a piece the size of this die.
But then I had all this scrap that still had fusible on it. I use Steam-a-Seam 2 Lite and I love to use it up as much as possible. So...
I strategically placed the larger pieces to get more feathers.
The smaller pieces were put on my circle die to get some circles to add in.
Next, I made the leaf shape and then started playing with the feathers to make a leaf "vein."
Then I cut out the leaf shape.
All done! They turned out just how I wanted. I watched a video tutorial on how to put binding around odd angles and it really helped these come out just perfect. I used a single layer bias binding to help me go around the curves easily. This was stitched on with the amazing Schmetz Microtex Chrome Needles. They work so well!
There are a lot of fun ways to lay these out. They could go in the middle of the table for a centerpiece or be used as individual placemats.
I hope you get to quilt today!
Suzy
Clever and fun placemats, Suzy. You're right - they are pretty versatile. They would work great on a circular or square table too. I'd have fun just playing with rearranging them!
ReplyDeleteDoodle quilting is fun! and yours is fantastic! I love the leaf shapes and how the applique is similar, but different on each leaf! And they're blue, so of course, I'm in love with them! :-)
ReplyDeleteThese are really lovely!
ReplyDeleteSuzy these are awesome. The doodle quilting is really beautiful, and I love your idea. So unique.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is so fun! I love the unique shape and using the feathers and dots to make a leaf vein. So much to love here!
ReplyDeleteThose are fun placemats and your quilting is terrific.
ReplyDeleteWow! These are beautiful!
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