" Placemat Purse " Fun and Easy

Here's a quick project. I purchased this quilted placemat at a Walmart department store for $ 4.00. To make the purse set the placemat on a table with your choice of the right side facing down and the rectangle vertical. Fold the bottom up to one third from the top as shown in the photo below. The arrows are to show where the bottom edge of the placemat is after the fold.

NOTE: The fold dimensions are approximate. Depending on your placemat design you may want the fold shorter or longer. Sew the side edges together. Add Velcro as shown. Another option is to use snaps for closures.

Fold the top down. The photo below shows the finished project. Try experimenting with handles from a craft store, or add fabric straps. To keep it simple leave it as is. A clutch purse.

This makes a great gift. Something to think about. Why not make one and fill it with goodies for a special some one as a thank you.

Enjoy,

Joan



Free Quilt Pattern "Flower Garden"

Block measures 6" x 10" finished

Here's a great way to use up your stash.

Label your pieces as you cut them.
For each block cut:
Flower color-Red "A" (1) 2-1/2" x 3-1/2"
Flower color-Red "C" (2) 2-1/2" x 4-1/2"
Green "D" (3) 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" squares
Green "E" (2) 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" squares
Yellow "B" (1) 1-1/2" x 2-1/2"
White "F" (2) 3-1/4" x 3-1/4" squares
White "G" (6) 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" squares

PUTTING IT TOGETHER
Step 1- Sew the "A" and "B" pieces together for the flower center. Press to the darker color.

Step 2- Flying Geese units. Draw a diagonal line on the back of (2) "D" and (2) "G" squares. Place a marked "G" square on one end of a "C" rectangle, right sides together. Sew on the line.

Fold the "G" square back over the seam and press. Cut the center layer of fabric in the corner off leaving a 1/4" seam allowance.



With right sides facing sew a marked "D" square on the opposite side of the unit. Fold back, press and cut center layer away as previously instructed.



Repeat instructions but reverse placement of squares as shown in the picture.



Step 3- Half-Square Triangles (Make 4)
Draw a diagonal line on the back of (2) "F" squares. Place a marked square on top of an "E" square, right sides facing. Sew 1/4" from each side of the drawn line, then cut apart on the line. Press seam to the dark fabric. Cut off the dog ears.



Trim the half-square triangles to measure 2-1/2" square. Note: The 45 degree line on the ruler is on the diagonal seam.



Step 4- Sew a flying geese to each side of the flower center. Press seams to the center.


Step 5- Sew a "G" square to a half-square triangle. Repeat one more time turning the half-square triangle to match the picture. Press seams to the "G" squares.



Sew these sections to each side of the flower. Notice placement in picture. Press seams to the side sections.



Step 6- Bottom row. Sew the remaining pieces together as shown in picture. Press seams to one side.



Join the bottom row to the piced flower. Press seam to the bottom row. This completes one block.



I designed a quilt in EQ5 to show one option on how these blocks can be used. Adding a sashing and narrow border brought it all together.

2010 Jay Bee Designs copyrighted material. All rights reserved.
If you have any questions or find an error feel free to contact me at jaybeehive@yahoo.com
Enjoy and happy stitching,
Joan

Simple Scrappy Quilting Ideas

Whenever I have any spare time I like to go through my fabric scraps and cut them into 2-1/2" squares and 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" pieces.  The following are three of my versions on how to use these pieces. One unit is made for all three. To make the unit sew two 2-1/2" squares together. Press seam to one side. Sew a 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" neutral color to the pieced squares. See photo below. I did keep the neutral colors the same but it's not necessary.

The following pictures show the three ways to use this unit in a quilt.

Option #1-Sew units in horizontal rows.

Option #2-Flip every other unit to create a zig-zag effect.

Option #3-Referring to the picture place the units to create what I call positive and negative scrappy squares.

I had more fun with this. I think I'll go cut more scraps.

Another idea! Why not get together with friends and have a cutting party. Everybody cuts the same size and swaps fabrics they don't have.

Happy stitching,

Joan



Sharing Tips

I've done one wool applique and found that I could really get hooked on it. I just read somewhere that to keep the wool applique pieces in place you can put a small piece of fusible webbing on the back and fuse them in place. I'll call it fusible basting. I love that I don't have to worry about frayed edges or having to turn the edges under. It goes quicker than fabric applique.

The pictures below show a way to use a lipstick case as a  holder for bobbins of different colored threads. Add this to your applique travel kit. The lipstick case was bought at a Dollar Store.

 

When I have more time I might play with using wool in place of fabric on a fabric applique pattern. It's a thought. Has anyone tried this?

Thanks for visiting. I will now move on to getting my tax records in order for our CPA. Yuck! I'd rather be quilting.

Cheers,

Joan

Ironing Board Hint

This is a top view of how I use my ironing board. By having the iron on the narrow part of the board I have more surface space to iron my larger quilt projects. Actually I keep my board this way for all my ironing.

If your left handed set your board as shown below. Sorry about the iron being turned wrong but you get the idea.

All for now. Cheers.

Joan



A Quilter's Experience

I've decided to squeal on myself. I'm in the midst of designing a new quilt. I cut my fabric and sewed 16 blocks before I realized I made a mistake. Wrong dimensions on a corner piece. I wont bore you with details but I did it on all 16 not just one before I caught it. The waste of fabric doesn't make me happy. The good news is all it takes is a seam ripper and a little time to reverse what I did. The lesson here is to remember the important hints such as; try one block before cutting all the fabric requirements and sewing a multiple of blocks. The seam ripper is a handy tool. I saw the neatest way to use one in a magazine once.  Just stick a small seam ripper in a spool of thread as shown in the picture below.  Great for cutting loose thread ends if your doing hand work, cutting thread from the spool it's in or using it by your machine. I wish I could remember which magazine I saw it in so I could give them credit.

Well now that I've taken a break I'm ready to tackle the sewing again. By the way I need to make a total of 64 blocks for this pattern. Sixteen blocks with errors doesn't sound so bad. Life is good.

Thanks for visiting,

Joan

The Neatest Quilt Site

I needed to calculate fabric for an odd pattern I was trying to create. I found this site on Google. I have had more fun playing with this fabric calculator. There's no signing in or signing up. Do yourself a favor and check it out. http://www.vrya.net/quilt/index.php  Click on "Flash Quilt Calculator". I bookmarked this one as I know I'll be using it often.
Enjoy the day.
Joan