Last week, I showed you my progress on a swirly little project that filled some of my sewing time in between time-sensitive projects. I used the Creative Grids Mini Pineapple Trimmer and my Swirl pattern notes to make little square mug mats from 5" scrap squares.
This week, this project was in the home stretch!
I decided to turn 6 mug mat contenders into blocks for a place mat for my desk. I added a couple borders, and backing fabric.
Layered batting (I used fusible foam batting), backing right side up, and placemat top, right side down.
Then pinned all around the edge.
I sewed a 1/4" seam, leaving an opening on one side.
Then I turned the place mat right side out after trimming the extra batting and backing. Then I closed the opening by hand with a ladder stitch.
Since I used fusible foam batting, I eliminated the pin-basting step before quilting. Once turned, I gave the whole thing a nice steamy pressing from the front and from the back. Very satisfying. I'm loving that bright green sashing fabric. It'll look very cheerful on my desk.
Then I did some in-the-ditch quilting around the blocks and in a swirly pattern inside the blocks.
As I was quilting, I noticed a little hiccup in one of the blocks. I must say, even with the tool, I didn't do a great job of trimming a couple of the edges inside this particular block.
You can see where the arrow is pointing, the fabric width is a bit thick.
In a million years I bet you'd never notice that unless I pointed it out. It took about 3 seconds for me to get over it and move on.
So here is the finished place mat below. On the right you can see how much it snaps up my desk top! It's very cushy under my wrists as I type this message!
So that ends my little side trip into swirls and mini-pineapples!
Or does it? Now that I've finished the placemat project, I've got a hankerin' to pull out that brown and blue (my all-time favorite color combination) pineapple quilt to finish it up with some quilting.
The border fabrics featuring mooses (mice? no, I think it's still moose if there are one or two of them) was purchased on a trip to Alaska a few years back.
It's about time I finished it up and put it to good use dreaming about what a fun trip that was!
And then, as I was quilting the place mat, I couldn't stop thinking about how cute these swirl blocks would be as those little chicken pin cushions that you make with two squares - like this little army of Chickens lined up at a retreat (when we used to do those) from my friends Cheryl and company in Delaware.
Then I thought, do I really need to make another pin cushion?
. . . Maybe!
Is this stuff ever about 'need?' *Wink!*
Happy Stitching!
Joan Ford
Head Hummingbird
Love your desk mat idea! I’m ordering your mini pineapple swirl pattern notes ….I’m going to make one for my desk!!!
Love the moose quilt! And who doesn’t need another chicken? Thanks!
Right?!
My very first quilting class was learning to make pineapple blocks for a set of placemats. Over the past 30+ years, that pineapple block has become my favorite. I rarely make the same thing twice; but, I have made quite a few pineapple block projects, all with the same Pineapple Ruler I purchased for that first class. I love your blue/brown combo in batiks. Also, one of my favorites. I come back to it frequently as it always says “beach” to me.
I don’t know what it is about pineapple blocks! They look difficult to make, but they’re not – tools to make them easier. They work in a variety of colors and settings. And I completely agree regarding the Blue/Brown/Beach feel!