May 22, 2014

Spin Placemats

I finally have a finish to share! It had started to feel like a long time since I finished anything, and then I realized that's because it has been a long time...this is my first finish this quarter. Yikes!
I made these placemats a couple of years ago. It was my first time designing anything and, even though they're fairly simple, I was so excited when I sewed the first one together and found I had all the quilt math right. I know, it's easy to make me happy.

I wanted to make another version of them and actually write the pattern this time, so I made a set of four like this.

There is one big difference, which is the size of the large pinwheel. In the original set, it was a 12" pinwheel. This time I used a fat quarter bundle from Connecting Threads and a fat quarter isn't large enough to make four 12" pinwheels. So, it's 8" with a border. I quite like the new look.

I played around with the fmq on these. First, I did straight lines in the grey parts of the large pinwheels...

and this freeform pinwheel in the small ones.
I also stitched in the ditch around everything and stippled in the black border. I love how the quilting looks on the back.
Then I tried something new. I've always machine stitched my bindings to the front and then hand stitched them to the back, but I've been seeing a lot of pretty machine bindings online lately and decided to give it a go.

I started off by making a mistake right at the start. Machine bindings should be sewn onto the back first so the last side stitched (which ends up looking the neatest) is the front. Yep, I stitched mine to the front first. I could have ripped it out and started again, but I didn't. Too lazy.

Once I was finished the first side, I pinned the binding to the back all the way around. I found this worked nicely and kept things from shifting out of place. Now I see the appeal of the binding clips! On something this size I didn't find I stabbed myself very often as I stitched the binding, but I think it would be a different story with a large quilt.
Then I stitched slooooowly! That helped a lot.

It's certainly not perfect, especially around some of the corners, but all in all, I'm pleased with the machine binding. I'll be doing it again, especially for projects I want to finish quickly.

I'm still working on the pattern, but if you're interested in testing it for me, please let me know. You can leave me a comment or email me at piecefullydevoted at gmail dot com.

I'll be linking up with My Quilt InfatuationI Quilt, TGIFF, Can I Get a Whoop Whoop and Finish it up Friday and YOU Made it and Love It.

14 comments:

  1. Congratulations on a finish! Sometimes I think making a set of placemats is almost more time consuming than making a baby to lap size quilt because putting the binding on something that tiny can be a bit of a wrestling match, so I think machine stitching the binding is perfect for projects like this. I'm new to trying machine sewing binding myself, so it might be a good project to try to build up my skill level. I did take the plunge and buy some clover clips last week. I was hooked immediately, and I think you would like them, too. :)

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  2. I really like the change to 8", and that it allows use of FQ's and more quilting options. Cute finish!
    And you can call me backward, but now that I have done a few machine bindings, I actually prefer attaching to the front.

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  3. cool stuff. I wish I had a moment to test the pattern... good luck with it!!
    leeAnna Paylor
    lapaylor.blogspot.com

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  4. Have been trying out machine binding too, but I actually enjoy the hand stitching so will stick to the old-fashioned method unless I am in a hurry.

    Would be happy to test the pattern for you.

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  5. These are super fun! I especially love the yellow/gray fabric combo!

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  6. Fun patterns. Love the gray and yellow. Thanks for linking up to TGIFF!

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  7. I have been wanting to make some placemats. I would love to test the pattern for you.

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  8. Visiting from Whoop Whoop! Will be following you on Bloglovin, cute mats!! Carole @ From My Carolina Home

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  9. Very cute pattern and I love the quilting you added to each.

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  10. Great placemats, it's so rewarding when all your calculations work out isn't it?!

    ukcitycrafter@live.co.uk

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  11. They are really pretty, well done for trying something new to you! I can't get to grips with machine binding, it just turns out a massive mess for me!

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  12. Hi from Ontario - I hope your weather is as lovely as ours!

    Gorgeous placemats - I really like the grey and yellow combo, and the fun quilting designs - lovely! I used to do my (quilt) bindings by hand too, but when my hands got too "tetchy", I had to give it up. It certainly goes faster by machine!

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  13. Straight line FMQ is awesome isn't it, such impact. And I like the continuous curve on the pinwheels , really brings out the pattern of the piecing. great mug rugs.

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  14. Yellow and grey!! My favourite :) The quilting looks wonderful!

    -Soma

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