Every now and then it's good to just do a fun little side project and that's what these placemats are. It started when I saw the new Wonky quilts that Wanda is making. I have a container of batik strips and I thought it would be fun to make some placemats like this. On my way to the batik container I happened upon the leftovers from this quilt and decided to use those instead. I decided to foundation piece them onto my backing and batting (flannel sheeting).
Hmmmm. Not so great. Now I am never afraid to toss out a failed project but I wondered if I couldn't do something to salvage this one.
I have boxes of trims from my garment sewing days and I found this cool black and white trim. I soaked it in hot water to pre-shrink it and then stitched it down (after it was dry, of course) to frame the center of the placemat. Then I did some very wonky quilting on the frame.
A black binding finished it off.
I liked them enough to make a set of 4. Chris says these will be great winter placemats and I agree. I like them a lot!
They look great and the trim really sets off the center colors.
Posted by: Ruth Lane | June 21, 2012 at 07:14 PM
i like them, too. great job. great project for leftovers. just how many placemats to you now have? seems like it should be dozens. LOL
Posted by: shirley bruner | June 21, 2012 at 08:13 PM
NICE placemats, Vicki! I love how you always use leftovers to make cool things.
Posted by: Ivory Spring | June 21, 2012 at 09:07 PM
great use of leftovers! And they will make a perfect winter table set.
Posted by: Deb Levy | June 21, 2012 at 09:27 PM
Meeee Tooooo!!
Posted by: Leslie | June 21, 2012 at 10:48 PM
Hi Vicki,
Great placemats. Love how you "fixed" them.
Vicky F
p.s. I just ordered some patriot fabric from your etsy shop.
Posted by: Vicky F | June 21, 2012 at 11:46 PM
Bold and beautiful. Love how you saved the project to satisfy yourself. :o)
Posted by: Stephanie | June 22, 2012 at 06:12 AM
Really love what the trim and black binding does for those placemats. I'm a big fan of small black and white stripes in small amounts and this really has that effect. Very nice!
Posted by: Marjorie Busby | June 22, 2012 at 07:16 AM
The perfect way to set a beautiful table. Love how you used your hand dyes. And thanks for sharing the link to Wanda's wonky!
Posted by: Marty Mason | June 22, 2012 at 07:42 AM
I have a lot of trims too, I'll have to remember this! The preshrinking was a good tip too. So many times they really shrink a lot.
Posted by: Wanda | June 22, 2012 at 09:19 AM
Good save! I like them....now.
Posted by: Jody | June 22, 2012 at 12:14 PM
I didn't think the design looked bad before the trim, but the after photo shows you know what you're doing - great story!
Posted by: Cheryl K. | June 22, 2012 at 05:05 PM
These are great, love the mix of colors with the black and white!
Posted by: Gina Skillings | June 22, 2012 at 06:06 PM
They are so cool! I love them!
Posted by: Terri | June 23, 2012 at 08:27 PM