Sunday 30 September 2012

Patchwork and Quilting

Stewart has a corner of the living room where he likes to sit and read or use his laptop and he recently bought a new side table for his "corner"... somewhere to leave said laptop. But because he doesn't want to scratch his new table he has taken to using an old tea towel as a table mat. It looks very classy, let me tell you! It then occured to me that I might make a smart new table mat and I could then remove the old tea towel. A little project for a Saturday afternoon...
 
 
Now regular readers will know I don't really "do" patchwork and quilting but I do have a stash of patchwork fabrics (don't ask why... I just do.) However when I went to find my stash of fabrics they were in such a sorry mess I didn't have a hope in hell of finding what I wanted. Several hours of brandishing an iron later (and I don't "do" ironing either) my fabrics were all neatly sorted... and it was Saturday evening. So much for my Saturday afternoon project. But I did find the fabrics I was looking for... these rather gorgeous Kaffe Fassett Indian cottons that I bought years ago. 

 
So up bright and breezy this morning I consulted my extensive quilting library of two books (double the number since I last attempted patchwork) as I had a vague memory of log cabin patchwork being quite easy when you know how... and are familiar with the tricks of foundation piecing.

 
I even dug out my never ever used walking foot that came free with my first Bernina.

 
And just a few hours later using foundation piecing (so brilliantly easy... no measuring or accurate seams required)...

 
I finished a table mat... and for the second time in a week I'm pretty darn pleased with myself.

 
Especially as it is my first ever attempt at machine quilting.

 
I'll even dare to show you the reverse and my binding.

 
And best of all, it fits the table and has met with approval... and the tea towel has been banished back to the airing cupboard.

 
I'm now thinking matching cushions... what do you reckon?

33 comments:

  1. Brilliant! - I love the colour scheme. Oh and I just scrolled down to admire your buns and Mr Hollywood's lovely blue eyes! x Jo

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  2. Wowwweeeeeeeeeeee what lovely colours and a Patchwork achievement!! Oh and ironing grrr in fact I laughed this am as I was given a card which said IRONING 30 items for £20. I stopped and briefly considered this proposal.....my bank balance however declined pah!!

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  3. I should think you are pleased with yourself. It looks brilliant.

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  4. That looks so professional and I love the colours.Definitely need cushions to match.

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  5. Oh yes! I love those colours and Kaffe Fasset's fabrics. Like you, I am not a quilter but have some patchwork fabrics. They are just irresistible aren't they?
    I have never tried machine quilting and don't have a walking foot, which is probably essential.

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  6. At what point do you admit to being a bit of a quilter?, I always deny being one but my stash says differently and the dozen or so quilts I've made are probably a bit of a giveaway. Embrace your inner quilter Gina - you are obviously very good at it!

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  7. Oh, I'm thinking 'yes' to the matching cushions. Glorious mat!

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  8. Go for it, you made such a job of the mat the cushions should be a doddle! :)
    I don't do patchwork or quilting either and you should see the fabric I have, it is hard to resist isn't it!!
    I would love to give it a go, you say it's easy and no measuring or accuracy is required! Are you sure about that? Your's looks very accurate!!
    Vivienne x

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  9. Oh Yes! Gorgeous Gina - you should do classes lol. Your sewing is so neat and tidy - as is your patchwork storage - it really appealed to the anal side of my personality. I've been a fan of Kaffe for years and knitted quite a number of his designs. I've always enjoyed his colour mixing.

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  10. You're officially a quilter....sorry! lovely...I dream of Kaffeeklatsch Fassett's shot cottons!

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  11. Oh my goodness look what the spellcheck did to Kaffe!!!

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  12. Laptops don't need cushions...

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  13. Immaculate pieceing and quilting and a very attractive mat for Stewart's laptop. Well done! x

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  14. There's obviously a lot of machine quilting going on in our village at the moment!!I presumed with all your machining you'd done this before. Love the colours and how sensible to start something that can be finished in a sitting!

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  15. mat for the laptop to be comfy, and the cushion for the merely human user. I've knitted Kaffe Fassett, but that Indian striped fabric is in my colours, hot pinks and turquoises, quilted just so (without measuring, how??)

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  16. Blimey Gina! Ironing and creating! For someone who says she doesn't 'do' P&Q that looks mighty fine to me. I had some of that fabric too and I think I'm still hoarding mine...

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  17. It looks lovely. I noticed that Kaffe Fasset is doing a talk at the V&A on 14th December, it should be interesting - I've booked.

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  18. What I reckon, Gina, is that you are pretty darn amazing!

    xo

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  19. Gosh Gina, you are certainly amazing. That mat looks fabulous. I own a walking foot, but I definitely DON'T do quilting. For that matter, I haven't used my walking foot in years either. I had to scroll down through your last two posts to catch up as well. Your buns look yummy, and I love the work of your students in Paignton. Cheers

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  20. Well done Gina, looks really great.
    Jenny Sandler

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  21. I absolutley *love* those Kaffe Stripes. I have a plan for the narrow stripe one somewhere in the muddle that is my brain.

    See you in a while : )

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  22. I adore Indian fabrics and if they are designed by Mr F they must be the bee's knees. That is a lovely looking table mat, well done for doing it and the ironing bit too!

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  23. Well, for a person who doesn't "do" patchwork or ironing, you've done a fantastic job. I love it and can't wait to see the pillows ;-D!

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  24. Much nicer than a tea towel and despite been very old fabric designs you have made it look so modern.

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  25. Too nice to be covered by a computer! Am very impressed with the fabric all ironed and neat. Will we se more quilting?

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  26. Great colour choices and matching and as for that assertion that patchwork and quilting is not your thing I'd venture that you could do it standing on your head if you really wanted to....

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  27. Two great activities completed on Saturday with great results.

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  28. Brilliant, well done you.You should definitely go for it re the cushions. Love the colours.

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  29. Oh it is gorgeous! I really need to re-start my long-abandoned patchwork project. And a definite yes to cushions! K x

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  30. Your quilting looks beautiful Gina. I've not been blogging for a while as spare time has been a rare luxury. its nice to get back to blogging though. Jane x

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  31. Hi Gina, what a lovely little project to introduce you to machine quilting, it's turned out beautifully, and looks very professional! As for cushions - it would be a shame not to - after all you've got the remaining fabric to use up presumably

    I love the pics you posted earlier of the results from your machine embroidery class in Devon, it sounds as though you had a delightful time there.

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