Sunday, February 10, 2013

Crazy Cat Placemats

Sometimes fabric just jumps out at you to be taken home, even if you don't know what you are going make. When I saw this bundle of hilarious kitty prints, I knew I needed to make something for my aunt, uncle and their family of cats.


It was also a nice small project to try out modern quilting as I was inspired by the book "Sunday Morning Quilts" by Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cherly Arkinson.


I love the color saturations she uses and the very geometric shapes, also the concept that the quilt is not made up of little blocks, its more like they are pieces of a big painting. When you quilt with this thought in mind, I think you are more able to study the fabric and work With it rather then snip it up and turn it into something different.


After feeling the inspiration build for a few weeks, I began playing with fabric and folding it into shapes that fit together, sewing as I went. I chose one fabric that I wanted as the focal point for each placemat and went from there. Yes, I did tear out some as I went but thats ok.


It didn't take long to have a placemat! I made four in all and trimmed them up to be the same size...relatively. When I put the batting and backing together with the top I then decided to be even more daring and learn about machine quilting. I am very hands on, so instead of reading up about dropping your feed-dog or adjusting the tension, I just started sewing. Since this was a small project it turned out great. I did learn later on a big quilt that it helps to make some adjustments.


Instead of adding a seperate binding, my sister suggested I simply fold the backing up and around the top of the quilt. It was a good idea since a placemat will be washed a dried a lot more than a quilt and less pieces to come apart.


Ready for dinner to be served... Fun idea, if you make some placemats you can stitch a pocket on one side to the silverware in. I like how each placemat turned out differently but they all go well together.

10 comments:

  1. Very cute fabric! If you had a cat it would think it should be sleeping on one of these. I like that they aren't all the exact same.
    Susan

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    1. Thanks Susan! I did think they would make nice pet beds, maybe a little bigger...

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  2. I'm commenting since I came over to take a look at your placemats. :)

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    1. Thank you Bethany, you are awesome. I will get the yellow and gray quilt posted soon, i definitely think its something you will love.

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  3. I love the goldfish fabric. My guess is the kitties will as well. Anyone would find these delightfully cheerful.

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    1. They really were fun to make and I have to admit O got distracted just looking at the fabric!

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  4. Oh I love these and the fabric is so cute and whimsical!You've inspired me to jump start my march craft project:)

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    1. Thanks Brenda, I think its funny you used the word whimsical, I am discovering that a lot of my style and taste is whismsical! Why jump start March? Just get gonig in February!!

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  5. They turned out so nice. Whimsical is definitly the right word to decribe the fabric! Sunday Morning Quilts so so inspiring!

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    1. Thank you, I tried to go slow and do it carefully and remember to use pins!

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