Making a List. . .Placemats

I've made 6 co-ordinating placemats using blocks I made from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 4 (!) that I had a block in.

I made this placemat using the disappearing 9 patch method - and then cutting the pieces even more.

This one is my block with borders added to it.

It was a fun challenge to use these limited fabrics and make sure all of the placemats looked good on their own and like they belong together.

I thought the focus on the pink poinsettias was the best way to incorporate the pink in this one.

Another 100 Quiltmaker's Blocks Volume 4 block.

This one was on my blog several years ago featured with my son. Yes, this project has been steeping for a little while!



Now the placemats need to be MADE - batting, backing, etc. Hence the need to make a list and start to get  busy at my machine.


Are you making gifts this year?

Remember I have a few free tutorials that could help you check off your list ;)

You may also enjoy one of my more popular posts -
Basic Making to Give Guidelines.

Enjoy the season. If making is not possible for you this year for whatever reason (lack of time, money, illness) relax and give yourself permission to not make.

You are the most valuable gift to many folks in your life.
Remember that.

With Joy,

Sarah Vee

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Making Placemats from Stash

I decided to make some placemats to match my Happiness Key quilt. I have some of the border fabrics left. I even allowed myself to fussy cut a big rose from the fabric for each placemat.

I'm using my Striped Delight pattern and just following the measurements to cut pieces from yardage and fat quarters. I'm not making the shoofly block and using an option I describe in the pattern (it means I won't have a pocket either, but I can live with that!) I didn't end up having enough of the blue with white polka dot fabric so I've improvised and am using some of the focus fabric for my top and bottom stripes.

This weekend I decided to make bold delight placemats to go on the back - notice I didn't start with the placemats I want NOW! LOL

I also made these from my stash yardage. The focus print is some fabric my sister gifted me several years ago!

I'm making them all match in my own fashion - the focus fabric is staying the same. I like how different these two placemats look - I chose fabrics that match the colours in the vegetables.

I really like this green print. It is a directional print but the pattern is so spaced out that it's not obvious to the eye when the pieces aren't going in the same direction. The batik on the outside I tried to keep the leaves pointing up.

I like this one too. It shows you can use only two fabrics to create a placemat. I was lucky enough that my scraps of vegetable basket fabrics were cut going in both directions so I could cut pieces for all the parts to go in the right direction. If you look closely (maybe you can already see it) the middle block on this one is pieced together. I was just happy I had enough to make all the centres! And, I still have some smaller bits of the vegetable fabric left.

I did end up making 5 placemats even though I only intended to make four. I couldn't resist trying out the green in the centre! I have secretly decided that this shade of green (kind of warm lime green) is my new accent colour in the kitchen and dining room. I'm not sure if my husband will notice or not! This one I will use as the centre runner. It seems like less stuff gets spilled at the table if it's on a soft surface rather than the wood.

I have only cut out enough fabric to make 4 of the striped delight. I will probably end up using some of the leftover rose fabric to make a runner for this set as well. I like to make reversible placemats - they take up less room in my linen drawer! That and I find it more fun to make two things at once!

You can purchase your own copy of my Double Delight pattern - 

which includes both the

 Striped Delight and the Bold Delight

 in my online shop.

Thanks for your support xo

With Joy,


Sarah V

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My Porch on Wednesday

I live on the shady side of the street (my daffodils didn't come out this year. again.) I decided to plant pansies to add some colour to my porch and garden. They're bright and reliable - and growing! (Did you notice that I had to put those purple ones in the middle for some 'pop'? I just couldn't plant only one colour in there - kind of like how I make my quilts!)

They have grown so much that they are literally peeking over the edge of the planter.

Here's some more 'peeks' for you (hehe)

On my "I want to design" list for several years now has been a patriotic pattern. Something. Anything! I'm not American, but really love all the great designs that come out incorporating the stars and stripes. I rediscovered the layer cake in my space - the ONLY ONE I've ever owned (!) - and the fireworks started.

How come nobody told me how MUCH fabric you get in a layer cake!?!!

Anyway - here is one result. A peek at one side of a placemat pattern I'm working on this week. 
I'm calling it Striped Delight. Even if your flag isn't the stars and stripes, the design lends itself to a traditional country style. The layer cake I'm using, Wildflower Serenade, goes beautifully with my Denby dishes. Finally I will have made placemats that match my dishes!

There is so much fabric in a layer cake that I was able to design a second placemat with the same one! This one is quick and easy - a perfect backing for the first design. This layout would work well with almost any layer cake out there, I'm sure. I will be putting both patterns in one so that you can choose to make either one or both.

I still have a few 10 inch squares left so we'll see if I come up with anything else to add!

What do you think?
With Joy,



Sarah Vee

p.s. the Double Chocolate Banana Bread you see here is deliciious! I posted a link to the recipe on my facebook page earlier this week. Here's the link again: Double Chocolate Banana Bread.  yummy!

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Thankful to Give!

MY GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON.
THANKS FOR HOPPING!

Welcome to my blog and my Fall into Fall giveaway post.

I found out about the hop through Sandi's blog.
She always has a giveaway going on it seems!
She is so generous and her blog is full of quilt treasures -
especially on Mondays when she features quilts on 'the line'.

Sandi was also one of my Placemat Party Hostesses earlier this year
when I launched my first pattern into blog land.

Fall is my favourite time of year because there is so much orange!
I love to make colourful quilts.
I really enjoyed making this orange quilt.

It was an "Orange Pile" challenge with Pat Sloan, who is also part of this hop.
{She's also busy with 2 more hops - try to catch up to her if you can!}
Pat is another generous quilting spirit!

What am I giving away to celebrate Fall?
I decided to go through my stash {closets of stash!}
like Debi suggested.

Let's see what FALLS out!!

A sunflower bag made by me.

It was my only attempt at rag quilting. I really like it, but haven't used it at all.

Some plastic quilting templates. There are 3 - you can click the photo to see them better.

I inherited these from my husband's Granny.

Quilt note cards. There's quite an assortment.
I put together 2 of each design.
{I still have more for future giveaways.}

A fun, pattern booklet.


To use or just enjoy.

Ten 5 inch charms of sunflower fabric.
{Like my mini pumpkin?}

I've had this fabric for awhile and could never cut into it. I've recently begun to trim down some of my older stash into charms, strips, and even 10 inch squares. Suddenly it looks inviting again!

Then I still had to make something! I didn't just want to give away stuff.

I made up 4 Fall coasters using some of the selvages my sister just sent me.

You can find my tutorial for making some of your own here.

My husband said that we could really use some coasters. I guess I'm adding them to "the list"!

How do you enter to win?

Simply leave a comment on this post.

I'd like to know if you buy downloadable {pdf} patterns.
Let me know in your comment.

My giveaway is open to everyone - any country, with or without a blog.

PLEASE MAKE SURE I CAN CONTACT YOU!

Leave an email address in your comment if you are a 'no-reply' blogger.
{Check your profile page in Blogger. If you have chosen to keep your email private,
no one can reply to you! You can change your profile or simply leave your email}

Giveaway is open until
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15
NOON EASTERN TIME

Good Luck to All!
Thanks for Visiting my Blog. Enjoy hopping through the list!



With Joy,
Sarah Vee

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Finishes for Friday

Proof that I've been finishing. One placemat quilted and bound. 3 more quilted and moving to the binding pile. That will happen over the weekend during football games.



Each one is quilted differently. This one I went around the large paisleys.


The quilting pattern had to take into consideration the pocket on the bottom left block.


This might be my favourite. Making a new pattern in the snowball blocks.


This is the backing fabric on the placemats. It's not 100% cotton, but close.


I know none of this is free motion quilting. I haven't forgotten about the quilt a long. There are alot of great tips and quilting techniques happening there. I've just looked at what I have to quilt and know that I prefer straight lines. I will practice wiggles and such later. And probably use some in the future.




I am almost ready for the next step on the Lucky Charms. The petals and dots still need to be fused down. Hopefully today!

With Joy,
Sarah Vee

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Pretty Motivation

My Wednesday design wall is full of Lucky Charms. This is a sew a long with Pat Sloan that is supposed to be keeping me motivated to finish other projects. Well. This project is pretty - pretty fun to play with these fabrics and pretty quick to put together.

So . . .
Have I stayed motivated?

Pretty much!
I cut batting for the 4 placemats and 5 Lady of the Lake blocks yesterday.
I had already cut some backing for the placemats. I have one pinned and ready to go now - once I change to my walking foot on the sewing machine. I'll be using this variegated Aurifil thread that I won from Pat Sloan. I'm almost out of some thread I bought in Cambridge in July and really like! I'm hoping I really like this thread too!

With Joy,
Sarah Vee

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More Free Motion Quilt Along Preparations

Here is the cover of my Free Motion Quilting Journal. I cut out photos of quilted quilts from old Keepsake Quilting catalogues.

Then I went into the cupbaord and started pulling out projects to practice on. I don't honestly know how long ago I made this. I know I tried aging it by putting it in tea long ago. I have batting and backing with it - the stripes you can see is the backing fabric.

Then there's my 4 paisley placemats that need batting and backing.


I got too busy and distracted with other projects to finish these, but it's almost time to put my bright orange summer ones away.



I have a piece of Shangri-La by 3 Sisters that I'm using as a curtain which I'd planned to use for matching backings. Now I'm not so sure.

You can find my placemat pattern by clicking on the Patterns tab

{in case you need to make some too!}

My last practice piece is a table runner I put together with some of my leftover fabric from the placemats. I think it will go nicely with them on my giant table. This one needs backing and batting too.

I guess I'm doing some stash digging and busting this week - and a trip to the Local Quilt Store for some batting.

Are you joining in the free motion fun? Click on the button for the Quilt Along in my sidebar to find out more. Tools you need and instructions for piecing a small practice quilt are posted. The fun begins next weekend!

With Joy,
Sarah Vee

p.s. I almost forgot to post about Pat's giveaway! Pat at Silver Thimble is sharing her joy in becoming published by Martingale. Yay, Pat!

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