Tables Runners, Placemats & Mug Rugs

I had a lot of charm squares in my stash that were originally planned for baby blankets... but years later, there are fewer babies and the fabric prints are not that "baby"-like anyway.

They are now runners and placemats/mug rugs!

Neptune, by Tula Pink for Moda Fabrics

From a 34 square charm pack, I just stitched 2 rows of 17 squares.  It's long and skinny but colorful and happy. The backing is a blue damask pattern and the binding looks like fish scales.

ODYSSEA, by Momo for Moda Fabrics 

This charm pack had 42 charms.  The runner is 3 rows of 12 charm squares, with a red fish backing. The placemats used 3 charm squares for each of the 4 placemats.  I didn't have enough charm squares so had to cut out some extras from the red fish backing and from Neptune's fish scales print, which I also used for the placemat top. The placemats also feature a red fish backing.

Oh Cherry Oh by Moda Fabrics 

From a 39 charm square pack, I stitched 3 rows of 13 charm squares.  I found the cherry backing in a sale bin but it was a tad short so I added a few inches of red.  However, my stitching was really crooked, hence the added ribbon to hide the flaws!

Wonderland by Momo for Moda Fabrics *All Scraps!!*

I used this fabric to make 2 baby quilts but had some beautiful scraps left over. Being inspired by the whimsical decor in Basho Cafe, I made these for Sister C. I was able to make a mini skinny runner and 6 mug rugs.  The mini skinny runner features a forest pattern on one side and fun polka dots on the other side. Three mug rugs also feature the forest pattern, and three mug rugs have the fun polka dots. On the other side of the mug rugs, there are random patches from the cheater panel.

 

I have a few more packs of charm squares...

Sent with Love Leftovers Mug Rugs

Remember those green leftover pieces from the Sent with Love runner?

I made 4 mug rugs that look like this (added some pink strips).

What are mug rugs? There are several descriptions online but in short, it's a mini-placemat that is larger than a coaster to fit a mug and some snacks (optional).

A way to use up scraps, potentially try some new techniques and no size rules... sounds good to me!

These ones measure 7.5 X 9.5 inches. Currently, baby C uses them as placemats for pretend picnic and tea time.

Quilted Table Settings

After a baby-induced quilting hiatus, I was really missing the humming of the sewing machine. I found a Sent with Love by Deb Strain honey bun in my stash and was brimming with ideas! I was originally drawn to the red/pink (Victoria Secret?) color combination but what to do with 40 1.5 x 44" fabric strips? 

To make my main project(s), I excluded 6 fabric strips that had green colors, leaving me with a total of 34 strips to work with.

As you may know, I like to use up all the fabric per collection (if possible) and so I made the following:  

Table Runner
I didn't really know what to do with the 1.5" strips, so I just sewed them all together. It's not that creative but looks good!

The backing is a white denim from my stash. For the binding, I bought a simple red polka dot fabric.

Placemats (X 4)
I bought half a metre of the Michael Miller pink fabric with red dots (my favorite! So very Victoria Secret), which works well with the Sent with Love collection.

These placemats also have a white denim backing and red polka dot binding,

Mug Rug/Trivets (X 2)
With some left over scraps, I was able to make 2 mug rugs/trivets. It was an opportunity for me to practice making a postage stamp quilt - and with my first attempt, the squares do not line up! I also didn't do a good job arranging the squares and had to manually pick apart some squares and re-arrange them so that the colors were spaced out "randomly".

Mini Buttons
With all the tiny left overs (1.5 inch X 1.0 inch rectangles), I made some mini fabric buttons. I bought a kit from the Japanese toonie store and it only cost $2 for 27 buttons.

I'm not sure what to use them for, but they are really cute!

Now, what to do with the 6 green strips?

Quilts for Bébé

As a hoarder of many things, yarn being one of them, and fabric being another, I was excited to be using some of my cherished fabrics for something special for bébé. 

I started with an adult-sized lap quilt (roughly 45" X 70") but after it was finished, my husband said "OMG, that is HUGE!".    So, I thought I'd make something smaller (roughly 35" X 45").

For the larger quilt, I used "Love U" by Deb Strain for Moda Fabrics (now discontinued). 

• The front used 1 layer cake (40 X 10" squares)
• The back used roughly 1.5 charm packs (42 X 5" squares) and lots of ivory for the stacked coin design
• The binding was a multi-color dot fabric.

 

For the smaller quilt,

• The front used 2 charm packs from "It's a Hoot" by Momo for Moda Fabrics (now discontinued)
• The back used a large dot fabric from Michael Miller, plus some leftover fabrics for the monogram (yes, we know the name will start with the letter "C")
• The binding is a pink plaid leftover from another project.
I just love all the colours!

Quilts

Here are a few quilts made in 2013 (or earlier) but were not blogged yet:

1) Vonn
I made this quilt LONG time ago, but felt it was missing something.  When my friend had a baby called Vonn, I thought adding his name to the blanket would be the thing to spice it up.

2) Time for Teddy (for boy)
I completely forgot to take photos before giving this to the recipient.  Ooops.  But I managed to get ahold of some pics.  The front consists of 5" squares and the backing is all one print.

Front

Back

 

3) Time for Teddy (for girl)
Using pretty much the same fabrics as the previous quilt, I made a more girly version.
The front uses disappearing 9-patches (a great tutorial here), and the backing is all one print.  There is one boo boo on the front, but I don't think anyone notices it!

Front

Front (close-up)

Back

 

4) Moda picnic

I love Moda charm packs. They are easy to use and you get to sample all the print designs in a fabric line.  For the front, I used one charm pack and the border is a Michael Miller argyle.

For the back, I used a sampler fabric (from the same Moda line), but it was a couple inches too short, so I attached some red/white white fabric (at the top).

Sometimes I try saving money by buying various cuts of sale fabric, but since I often default to making 5" square blankets, I find I end up with A LOT of random fabric left over and that annoys me (I like to maximize every inch).  Charm packs, on the other hand, are usually all used up and often yield a more colorful/energetic/aesthetically pleasing quilt.  Moving forward, I will stick to charm packs!

Bonus Lap Blanket Three

While in sweatshop mode to make bridal gifts #1 and #2, I managed to finish this quilt for the MIL. Since I made this for my mom, thought my MIL would like to have a lap blanket too.

I chose the layer cake called Wiscasset designed by Polly Minick and Laurie Simpson for Moda. It was on sale :) but the blue, taupe and deep reds are beautiful. I actually really love some of the fabrics. With paisley, delicate flowers and traditional striped florals, I would call it modern country. My favorite print is the back print, which is a whimsical paisley.

Again, 5 X 8 squares yield a 48 X 76 inch lap blanket.

Bridal Gift: Second One Complete

I'm in Vancouver to attend two weddings. For one bridal gift, I made this. The colors were fresh and light and reminded me of ancient Chinese ceramics.

For the second gift, I used a Essence layer cake designed by Sandy Gervais for Moda. These colors match the bride and groom's living room furniture of warm browns.
Again, the quilt featured 5 X 8 blocks and I had 2 blocks left over. For the back, I chose a slightly "man-lier" print of leaves in mustard. The quilt measures approximately 48 X 76 inches.

Congrats Li Shia & Joe!

Bridal Gift: One down, one to go!

I have 2 girlfriends getting married in June. Here's a gift for the first one!

It's made from Nature's Notebook layer cake designed by April Cornell for Moda and the back is a light and airy damask pattern from the same line. I pieced the 10" squares into my standard 5 X 8 squares configuration. The quilt measures approximately 48 X 76 inches.

Congratulations Connie and Victor!

Swanky Lap Quilt

The Nest Lap quilt was oozing Fall and Winter colors. Since the sun is shining and it's now Spring, I decided to make a Spring/Summer lap quilt!

I used another layer cake, this time with Swanky fabrics. I cut the 10" squares into 5" ones and pieced together 8 X 14 squares for the center. Added a white border, and added yet another border of green fabric with blue polka dots.

The back features an intersection of small colorful blocks.

It reminds me of Mondrian's Broadway Boogie Woogie. The colors are so happy, I'd like to do some boogie woogie myself!

Applique BB Quilt

Made this for a friend's newborn baby - Elyse. I used a pre-quilted fabric, one side is plain yellow, one side with orange and yellow dots. I added a simple solid binding and appliqued "elyse" .Congrats P & S!

Nest Lap Quilt!

I have a soft spot for charm packs (5" squares) and layer cakes (10" squares). I adore the idea of having at least one square of every print in each collection. Who can resist the assortment of different but coordinating fabrics?

This quilt is made from a layer cake for Nest, by Tula Pink for Moda.

Because the fabrics featured large prints, I kept it simple and just pieced them together. There were 40 squares so I made a 5 X 8 square quilt. It's a great lap blanket.

For the back, I chose one of my favorite prints, a green one that features whimsical birds. This print is gorgeous and I just used it for the entire back. A small border was added.

Another reason to like these fabrics is that it matches my crochet blanket. :) Mixture of dark colors with hints of teal and red.

Love it!

Moon Beam Quilts

Two more...

This fabric is called Moonbeams in a Jar, with images of bears lounging in stars and floating onesies.

Quilt 1 - 5" Squares

I just couldn't resist. Simple, neat, tidy, lovely squares.

The back is like a story board. It's a bit small but ther eare bears hanging off stars and laying on the moon.
Quilt 2 - Random Stripes

I'm starting to like stripes. It gives enough room to see the pattern on busy prints and I can quilt with random lines.

More bears on the back! This time, all boy bears.

Next, I am going to make some lap quilts!

Princess Boutique Girlie Quilts

Two more girlie baby quilts!

The fabric is called "Princess Boutique" and it features fashionably dressed girls, ruffled dresses, shoes and jewelry, flower bouquets, and fairy tale castles. It's bright and dreamy and girlie.

Quilt 1 - 5" squares

My favorite simple pattern of 5 inch squares!The back is pieced as well. Same pattern in two colorways with happy green stripes.
Quilt 2 - Disappearing 9 Patch

It's my first time using this pattern, following the tutorial from cluck cluck sew. It's still easy and but looks difficult! I'm liking the twists and turns created by the rectangles and squares.
The other side is just a simple backing in a busy print.

Again, I'm always amazed at how the same collection of prints looks completely different when cut and pieced differently.

Like magic!