Sew It Seams

CLOSE TO HOME placemats

 

 

Close to Home Placemats

 By Janet Mednick

Fabric collection by TS Post for P&B Textiles
Size: 20˝ x 15˝

(click to enlarge)

Yardage - makes 4 placemats
Fabric A CLOS 286 T 1/2 yard
Fabric B CLOS 282 B 7/8 yard
Fabric C CLOS 288 O 1 yard (includes binding)
Fabric D CLOS 284 G 1/2 yard
Backing any CLOS fabric 1 1/2 yards

Cutting
Cut fabric selvage to selvage unless otherwise noted.

From fabric A (CLOS 286 T), cut:
* (8) 2˝ x 12 1/2˝ rectangles
* (8) 2˝ x 6 1/2˝ rectangles
* (4) 2 1/2˝ x 15 1/2˝ rectangles

From fabric B (CLOS 282 B), cut:
* (16) 4˝ squares; cut in half diagonally to yield 32 triangles * (8) 7˝ squares; cut in half diagonally to yield 16 triangles * (4) 4˝ squares

From fabric C (CLOS 288 O), cut:

* (8) 2 5/8˝ squares
* (16) 1 3/4˝ x 9 3/4˝ rectangles; place the 45° line on a ruler along the bottom edge of each strip and cut along the edge of the ruler to angle both ends of each strip to make a trapezoid shape.
* (4) 2 1/4˝ x 42˝ binding strips

 

From fabric D (CLOS 284 G), cut:
* (32) 1 1/2˝ x 5 1/2˝ rectangles; trim both ends of each strip to make 4 small trapezoid shapes
* (16) 1 3/4˝ x 7 1/4˝ rectangles; trim both ends of each strip to make 4 large trapezoid shapes

Making the Large Block
(Instructions are for making one placemat)

1. Sew the short edge of a fabric C trapezoid to the long edge of a fabric D 1 3/4˝ x 7 1/4˝ large trapezoid to make a larger trapezoid unit. Make 4.

2. Sew the short edge of a unit from step 1 to each side of a fabric B 4˝ square, stopping 1/4˝ from each corner with a backstitch. 

Fold the square in half diagonally, aligning the ends of the trapezoids in adjacent corners and matching the seam lines. Stitch the corner seam, starting at the inside edge with a backstitch. Miter the remaining corners in the same way.

3. Sew fabric B 7˝ triangles to the unit from step 2 to complete the block. Trim the block to measure 12 1/2˝ square. Make one large block.

 

4. Sew the short edge of a fabric D 1 1/2˝ x 5 1/2˝ small trapezoid to each side of a fabric C square, stopping 1/4˝ from each corner with a backstitch. Miter each corner. Then add fabric B 4˝ triangles to complete the block. Trim the block to measure 6 1/2˝ square.
Repeat to make a second block.

 

5. Join the blocks from step 4 to make a rectangular block measuring 6 1/2˝ x 12 1/2˝.
Sew fabric A 2˝ x 6 1/2˝ rectangles to the ends of the block.

6. Sew fabric A 2˝ x 12 1/2˝ rectangles to the ends of the large block from step 3.

7. Join the fabric A 2 1/2˝ x 15 1/2˝ rectangle and the units from steps 5 and 6 as shown in the assembly diagram to complete the placemat top.

8. Layer the placemat top with batting and backing; baste. Quilt as desired. Using the fabric C 2 1/4˝-wide strips, bind the edges to finish.

CLOSE TO HOME

Looking at TS Post’s “Close to Home” collection is a bit like walking into an art exhibit.

                                  

 

                                

 

 

The vibrant colors and organic designs are captivating and inspiring, for quilters and others as well.  TS (the “S” is for Sara) does much of her artwork in clay, and her ceramics inspired the fabric collection.

 

 

You can see how her designs lend themselves to what quilters like to use – textures, colors and graphic designs.  Heidi Pridemore took Sara’s designs and made a work of art herself!  In fact, she calls it “Modern Art.”

 click on the quilt to download free pattern

 

Sandy Lueth had a different vision for the collection (perhaps the “T” is “TS” stands for “Tote!”)

 Click on the images to enlarge

     

You can see more of Sandy’s work at www.totesbysandy.com

 

Janet Mednick had yet another idea for this collection.  Here is her “Turning the Corner” quilt project.

click on the quilt to download free pattern

Janet also turned her idea into arty placemats, which we’ll show you with the next blog entry.  Please check back soon!