We are edging nearer to the big day now and I am thinking of more and more things to make for Christmas - things that should have been posted weeks ago if I was to get them all in!
Well I am just going to have to pick my favourites now because I estimate that at most, I have a couple more chances to squeeze in the Christmas pretties.
High on the favourites list has to be a versatile and lovely table mat. You can make one for each diner or just one for the centre of the table. It can be made larger or smaller and it can go under a vase or a candle or if you make a really big one, it can go under the turkey and provide the centre point for the whole shebang on the 25th.
This is another make which sends you to the scrap basket and only a few simple things are needed. So, without further ado...
Gather these supplies:
-FQ grey linen
-FQ some thing nice for the backing fabric
-FQ #279 80/20 cotton mix wadding (Vlieseline)
-scraps of red, green and dark grey fabrics
-medium sized heart shaped cookie cutter
-large plate or something else round that has about 33cm (13") diameter
-black and white bias binding.
-water soluble marker
-dark grey thread (FME) and a thread to match the linen (FMQ)
-your usual sewing and quilting needs including a darning foot for your sewing machine.
-medium embroidery hoop
-glue stick
This make includes free motion embroidery (FME) and free motion quilting (FMQ) don't worry, they are easy and most modern machines can do it. You will need the darning foot and to set your machine up properly. Check your manual for this because they are all different but with the same principle.
Begin by preparing the grey linen top using your large round object and the water soluble marker. The idea is to get the size that you want and draw it on but don't cut it out just yet....
Next lay the marked linen face up onto the wadding and pin....
Time to prepare the applique. Now you have a bit of choice here. You can really cram the motifs in or you can leave some space. First cut some tree trunks from the dark grey. I have used four and they are no particular size - about thumb size should do it. Lay them onto the linen circle about 2.5cm (1") in from the edge.....
Next go to the green scraps and cut triangles. Here again, no particular rules. Just make sure that they look okay with your trunks. Mine are a bit wonky and I am happy with that. Trim if you need to and then put them over the top of the trunks....
Finally, cut the hearts from the red scraps using the cookie cutter as a template. I have made four of these too. Place them in between the trees and when you are happy with everything, glue the motifs into place with the glue stick......
Set your machine up for FME and remove the pins. Using the embroidery hoop upside down, find a starting point and put the hoop on....
Now using the dark grey thread, embroider around the motifs.
Go around twice and don't be too neat....
Embroider all of the motifs in this way and then snip away the loose threads so that they look neat. Here is what you have now....
TIP: FME likes to have a bit of thickness to it and that is why this project is embroidered with the wadding under the linen. The hoop gives you something to steer by and stops puckering.
The next step is to quilt the mat and we will keep the darning foot on and keep the machine set up the same way. this time, we will use a simple meandering stitch and go all around the motifs.
Lay the backing fabric face down and pin the top onto it. I use the hoop for this bit to but you can of course leave it off if you prefer. If you do leave the hoop off, ensure that you keep all three layers nice and tight to avoid puckering on the back.
Use the lighter grey thread and start somewhere and meander!
By the way, I have a lighter background of red and ivory so I am using an ivory thread in the bobbin to match. This may feel like a bit of a faff but it is well worth it in terms of style.
Anyway, move the mat around gently and smoothly and quilt with a free form meander. Go up to a motif but not over it. When you have finished the quilting, the motifs will stand out a bit...
TIP: this is not a stitch that I would use to quilt a whole quilt because it is rather stiff due to all the thread used. You would quickly loose the squashiness of the quilt. You will see what I mean when the mat is finished. It is quite firm.
NOW it is time to cut the circle out! Do this, trimming all three layers.....
Keep the circle as neat as possible
Binding comes next. I have used my absolute favourite-right-now black and white binding. A nice red and white stripe to make a candy cane edge would be a nice alternative. And the same coloured linen as the top looks fabulous and doesn't frame it so much so that the applique stands out more.
Begin by attaching the binding to the top by machine like this....
Then finish it off by hand on the back....
There we go! A mat like this is easy and quick to make, it is fat quarter friendly and it would be fabulous as a gift.
I hope that I can find another window before the big day to put one more pattern in before the big day....I have in mind a cute Scandinavian style gnome.
Oh and of course before I go, you can get Vlieseline products (this and others that you cannot possibly live witghout at www.vlieseline.com Ph 01453883581 crafts@stockistenquiries.co.uk
Thank you for stopping by and I hope that you have enjoyed this pattern.
Love and hugs
Debbie
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Thanks for stopping by - I would love and welcome any feedback. Debs xxx