Tuesday, November 09, 2010

Place Mat Mania

Hi Knitters,
My family is one for place mats. They love to have place mats on the kitchen table for every meal. Unfortunately, I have only two sets of not very appealing place mats for them to use. Plus, they are constantly in the wash as place mats tend to be.

By the way, did you think "place mat" was one word or two? I thought it was one but wasn't sure so I started looking around. In ads for Macy's and other places it is one word, placemat. Interestingly enough, in the dictionary it is two words so that is what I will use:
place matnouna mat serving as table linen for an individual place setting

I have been wanting to sew my own set of place mats forever. After finishing my large quilt and refreshing my quilting memory I got the inspiration to come up with my own version of a quilted place mat. I didn't use a pattern for this at all in case anyone is wanting to ask for the pattern.

I have finished four so far. Ideally I need at least ten or twelve for my family and guests. We could never really have enough with some always being in the laundry so I will keep plugging away.
I have collected some fat quarter fabric bundles over the past few years and they are making some pretty charming place mats if I do say so myself.
Each mat is reversible and has different quilting lines that are completely random and not measured or marked. I just go at it.
I spent a little time making a huge roll of binding by cutting strips of various fabric pieces and scraps and sewing them together to have on hand. The mismatched fabric makes for a fun edging. I love that.
The whole process is free and easy. I am using one of my store-bought place mats as a size guide. I just lay it on top of the fabric and cut away. There is basically no measuring whatsoever involved. I love the unplanned project so much.
Here are two more waiting to have the binding hand-stitched and then they will be ready for use.

I think I will put up a tutorial for this project at some point soon. It is fun and quick and I am hoping to get some made for holiday gifts for this Christmas season. You might want to do this, too.
On the knitting front, I am working away on this baby blanket in Outer in the Cedar colorway. It is turning out really great.
Also, I just posted a new free pattern on Spud says! for this cute hat called, Go Team! I sized it for young children through adult sized heads! This is another perfect gift idea and let me tell you the teens LOVE this style hat. You won't go wrong gifting this one.


Take care, Knitters. It is a busy, busy week ahead. Off we go!
best, susie

21 comments:

Kar said...

Those are wonderful Susan! I should really make some for my table also. Lots of them because I would be washing mine all the time too. Thanks for the wonderful idea. Love the blanket and hat also. :)

Tiphanie said...

I love those place mats! And it's too funny how you went looking up various places on how to correctly spell "place mat." After viewing your cool place mats, I think I need to learn how to quilt.

I'm looking forward to seeing the completed baby blanket in Cedar you are working on. It has an interesting shape. Is it a star?

KCina said...

love, love, LOVE the hat! ;)

Thanks for all your continued knitting and now sewing/quilting goodness!

~ Kathy C (Oregon)

LittleMissEclectic said...

I love your quilting on them. The diagonal and the waves- so cute!

jill said...

The placemats are great and I love that they are not all the same ... I always struggle with matching ... you are helping me look outside the box!! And the hat is great ... have emailed it to my grandson to see if he likes it for his Christmas hat ... am hoping so!!

Julie P. said...

The color of the Outer yarn reminds of the color of the yarn called Vicuna. You say your place mat lines are random, but in the pics your sewing looks crisp and clean. Last night I just happened to make the rooster bag like yours. FUN!!

Nancy said...

Ok I finally figured out how you get so much done with kids, knitting, quilting, and everything else. You are really twins,,,,right. LOL

Barb said...

Your placemats/place mats (whatever!) are just too much fun!! Makes setting the table and eating even better! You are so creative and I love how you are just willing to try anything.

The baby blanket and hat are beautiful - I'm soooo new to knitting, but I may give that hat a try - you inspire us all! Thanks so much!

Sara in WI said...

Those are adorable, Susan. I am sewing impaired, however, and just might need that tutorial!

Julie said...

Inspiring post! Those placemats are great, must make some myself.
I just downloaded the hat from the Spud site - so cute!

Stefanie said...

Susan :O) the mats are so fun and bright and cheery! Lucky ohana. Loved the story about Peachy's sister and the hat. Glad there was lots of love and appreciation for it. That would be an awesome tradition. You rock!

Unknown said...

Those.....are....adorable!!!!! I mean total cuteness. I want to make some. NOW! But I have to go make bean soup for dinner instead and then finish binding off the shoulders of my dad's vest so I can block it tonight. I really need to go do these things, but I really want to make PLACE MATS!!! So, so, so cute!

j-a said...

these place mats are amazing. it is hard not to be seduced into the world of quilting just by looking at them.

Crystal said...

I love the place mats!! With two toddlers I also have the problem of mine always in the wash. I think I am going to give these a go and a great idea at gifting them too!!

I just love miss matched stuff and these are right up my alley. Can't wait to see the finished baby blanket. Looks so comfy.

Anonymous said...

what a lovely yet so simple idea to use the extra quarter quilting pieces to make placemats (I followed your lead and used the one word route ;) ) I would love to see how you do it ! And the hat at the end looks again, so simple, and adorable. Great quick and easy Christmas Gifts !!! Genius

Jeannie D said...

Susan, the place mats are just what I need to use up some beautiful fat quarter pieces a friend gifted me last Christmas. Thanks for the great idea!

Mom In a Box said...

Adorable! I love the place mats. You have a real gift for picking the right fabrics/colors.
I have been wanting to learn how to quilt, and this would make a fantastic first project. Thank you for the inspiration!

the happy quilter said...

I love your place mats - I think I will have a rake about in my stash and make some myself. But the Amy Butler fabric looks really good.

the happy quilter said...

I love your place mats - I think I will have a rake about in my stash and make some myself. But the Amy Butler fabric looks really good.

jlr said...

I have a set of 6 placemats I made in college. Cotton/linen blend, dyed the yarn myself, and wove them all up. I LOVE them. My family weren't place mat people when I made them, but we are now!

Jennifer Perkins said...

I gotta tell ya I have been writing a blog post on place mats all morning and could not decide if it was place mats or placemats. So glad I am not alone.