First project to share for this year! Continuing on with my supposed clean-up in the sewing room, I found my bag of linen scraps. These are scraps left over from making French Press cozies which I sell in my shop. I cannot bear to throw these scraps away so I have been stashing them in a zip lok bag and stuffing them under the sewing table.
Last February, I made one place mat – fully intending to make several more for the table. That didn’t happen because – you know…. I got distracted. But I have used it here and there in the house and love it.
I made two more placemats but this time, I didn’t quilt them as much. I decided to go with a minimalist approach which I think looks a lot better. The fabrics are so pretty and have a lot of texture – they just don’t warrant heavy quilting.
What do you think? They really need coordinating cloth napkins. I have some off-white cloth napkins but they are getting really grungy. It is definitely time to replace them. I still have more of these linen scraps so hopefully I will get a few more coordinating placemats made. For now though, at least I have three, enough for Ray, Julia and me!
In my last post I mentioned I was going to tackle taking down the Christmas decorations. Well Julia and I did a lot of it and then got bored of doing housework. So we only got about 1/2 way there. Maybe today I will get around to the rest of it. I am also working on a cute baby quilt for my niece who is due to have her first baby in a couple of weeks. Hopefully I will have that finish to share with you soon! Finally, last night I attended a Zoom meeting of our local quilt guild. These have been happening for a while now and this is the first time I joined in. While it wasn’t the same as the in person meetings (obviously), it was really nice to see so many of the people I haven’t seen in such a long while. The coordinators of the meeting really try to keep it warm and interactive. The ‘show and tell’ portion of the meeting was actually kind of a bonus since we could see the detail in the guild member’s work up close (on our screen) rather than from the front of a large room. So that was great. If you haven’t tried joining in on something like this, give it a go. We are all home so much of the time and this provides a much needed bit of community. Take care all of you!
Linking to Stitch, Sew & Show over at Life in the Scrapatch (this is a new link up that just started this week. Go take a look.) Also at Finished or Not Friday and a few other link parties – they are listed at the top of the page, under Link Ups.
Very cool placemats. And a good use of your scraps. I use cloth napkins as once I find a piece of cotton I like for them I just cut it into 14” squares or 16” squares and hem them. I have done this for years and much easier than buying paper ones. I get bored organizing and cleaning out too so it takes me a couple of days so you aren’t alone. Gotta balance our blessed days!
What kind of cotton do you buy for the napkins. I like softer, more flexible cotton than the quilting cottons. I keep looking for some to carry in the shop but haven’t found the right thing (yet). I think (maybe) it needs to have a tiny bit of linen in it?
I use my softest cottons as I like how they feel when I use them on my face. The more I wash them the softer they become. I fold them from my dryer into thirds and lay them in a narrow basket and we just grab the one on top for our meals.
Bernie the placemats are so pretty, love the black and white, and I also love those plates! I know your whole family is probably excited about the upcoming birth – can’t wait to see your baby quilt. Sounds like between your reading and quilting you are enjoying your first week of January. 🙂
Thanks Linda. Yes – we are all taking bets on when baby girl will be here. I guessed Jan 20th but that is five days early. My niece is thinking that would be a good deal though. Like all mamas, she is ready to be done with the pregnancy part and meet the baby. Better finish up the quilt though. The top is almost done. I am getting there.
Isn’t it fun to use up scraps, especially when you can make something that brightens up the home, adds a little fun to the table, etc.? These are so nice, and with neutral colors, they go with everything. Yay for the finish!
I like your placemats. I’ve been doing more Zoom days, hosting Virtual Retreats. We just sew and chat all day. The interaction is so good for me! I hope you can join us for one sometime.
I know you had a zoom day yesterday but that didn’t work for me. Let me know when the next one is and I will try to come to part of it. That would be fun!!
Those placemats are so much fun. I can see why you wouldn’t want to throw out the scraps. I love my napkins, I do double sided so I can use a light or a dark side…gives the quilting cotton a little more life. I also think those scraps would make lovely coasters. I’ve been zooming a bit – 2 we only talk (our bees) and 1 we sew and work, and it works much better than I thought. It is good, and I love lectures this way, as I never have to leave my house and can attend when I am distant!
I love those placemats! And it was good to see you last night.
Cute placemats-hard to go wrong with that beautiful fabric. Last April my 2 sisters & I began Zoom meeting every Tuesday evening. Some meetings have been pure silliness and others tearful. Its been a good way to stay connected with of my favorite people.
I love these placemats. The fabric choice is so graphic and looks wonderful with your decor, especially the pink flowers. I know that distracted feeling. I made a placemat well over a year ago, intending to make a new set. The set is still in pieces although I love the fabrics. I need to move that one back up the list. Thank you for being the very first friend to join my linky party …
{{{{{quilty hugs}}}}} … <3 Pat
I love making placemats! It definitely is a great way to use up scraps, plus we use the placemats every day. Yours are fun in the black and white prints, Bernie!
Thank you Diann. I have seen some of yours on your site – very cute. We use placemats daily as well and I love changing them out. 🙂
I love your place mats. I’ve been “fixing to” make place mats for years but there are always other projects ahead of them in line. Cloth napkins I know I couldn’t do. It would bug me too much if they were even a little bit wrinkled, and I don’t have time (and my family would mock me MERCILESSLY) if I started ironing stacks of napkins on a weekly basis!
These are just darling, Bernie. I wouldn’t want to waste those linen scraps, either. These look very modern, especially with the white plates. I always lose interest when cleaning up, too, but I did make some progress in the sewing room. Start with the most fun part, right?
The placemats look great, Bernie. You are continuing to have fun as you clean up your sewing room and I’m impressed with all you have been finishing up. 🙂 Happy New Year!
Thanks Yvonne. I think I need to stop telling myself I am cleaning up the sewing room though. It looks as messy as ever. I am doing a good job of using my scraps though so that is satisfying!
The placements look great. Our guild has been doing Zoom meetings. I agree, not the same but it’s good to see people.
It is so good to be in touch and talk to different people. Also, for me anyway, it reminded me we are all in the same boat as far as getting bored, feeling confined, etc. Somehow that is sort of comforting.
I really like your place mats! And I like the simple quilting. I like that they are clearly a set without being identical.
Thank you Emily. I also like the vibe that they are a set but each is unique. Did you start your placemats yet?
Pretty and practical. Funny how we can always find a use for those scraps.
Oh my gosh – those are really adorable! I love black and white and then the little puppy!! Love them!
I absolutely love these placemats!
These placemats are very modern and chic!!! Cute cat fabric too 🙂 Your home looks lovely.
Wonderful graphic placemats!!! I like your photos, too!
Bold and beautiful placemats, I love them!
Very cool, I love all of the different quilting designs. Thanks for linking up with the Favorite Finishes Linkup Party!