by Sherri Sylvester | Dec 7, 2015
I love having a theme with a deadline to sew for, it brings out all kinds of crazy-creative in me and today’s project is no exception. I’m thrilled to be part of Making Merry with Janome today! Since Janome Canada is my sewing machine sponsor, they’ve let me borrow a beautiful Skyline S5. (Squeee!)
This Janome machine truly makes my sewing more merry all on it’s own. But this blog hop is about Making Merry by sewing at Christmas, so I decided to create a Christmas-themed table runner, since our family didn’t have one yet. Now we do and I love it! The tutorial with printable pattern pieces is included below so you can make one too.
These quilted 14″ placemats can be used for a table setting or laid out in a row as an interchangeable table runner. I prefer to use them in table runner style to save myself the mild heart attack of letting my kids eat cranberry sauce over them! Of course, you could make just one to decorate a small round side table as well. If you are a little bit adventurous, you could even turn the circle applique into a round pillow. How cute would that be?!
All of the fresh and pretty fabrics I used for this project were provided by my blog sponsor, Country Clothesline. Their uniquely curated fabric selection is full of gorgeous florals, vintage reproductions, dots and stripes. Plus you never know what else you’ll run into! Apparently I like dots, since three of the 4 fabrics in this project have them. Find them all here: Red Dot, White Dot, Grey Dot, Wintery Blue.
As usual, please feel free to use my patterns/tutorials for your personal projects and gifts and for charitable fundraising events. Please do not sell anything sewn with this pattern. If you are interested in making this item for sale, please contact me and I will set up a license for it in the shop. Thank you!
Materials:
- 1/2 yard each of 3 pre-washed fabrics (to make 3 placemats)
- 1/4 yard (or fat quarter) for hanger applique
- one 14.5″ square of quilt batting per placemat
- fusible web for applique (this one is my favorite!)
- 1/2 yard backing fabric (enough for 3 backing pieces)
- matching thread for applique
- removable fabric marker
- fusible interfacing to layer under applique if colour shows through (I used this between blue/white stripe)
- optional: walking/even foot is desirable for quilting
- optional: basting spray (or pin baste)
- CLICK TO DOWNLOAD: Christmas Ornament Placemat Pattern Pieces, 5 page pdf
Printing the Pattern:
- Download the Pattern Pieces using the link in the Materials listing. Print out all 5 pages of the pdf on letter size (8.5″ x 11″) or A4 paper. Important: Do not select “fit to page” when printing, make sure you print at the original size. Once you have printed the pages, measure the 1″ test square to ensure the pattern is the correct size.
- Cut the pages on the outer gray lines and tape/glue the pages together, matching the letters in the gray half-circles. Once you are finished, cut out each pattern piece.
Cutting your Fabric:
- Use the cutting layouts below to cut each pattern piece. ** Be sure to cut as indicated to leave room for the bias cut binding strips.
- Cut 3 bias-cut binding strips to match each main ornament fabric (as shown below)
- Cut one 14.5″ square of low loft batting per placemat
- Cut one 14.5″ square of backing fabric per placemat
- Cut fusible web for each stripe and hanger pattern piece you need
- If desired, cut fusible interfacing to place between the stripe and the main ornament fabric. This helps a darker main colour not to show through a lighter stripe.
Preparing to Sew:
- Piece the three bias strips together to make one long strip. Fold the bias strip in half lengthwise and press well. Set aside.
- Layer your main fabrics. Place the backing right side down, layer the batting on top, layer the main ornament circle over the batting right side up. Spray baste if desired, or pin baste later on.
Sewing the Applique:
- Place the stripe and hanger correctly on the ornament circle following the red/dashed lines on the pattern piece. Adhere the fusible web.
- Pin baste layers together (if not spray basted earlier)
- Use an applique/blanket stitch to stitch around both fused pieces. (Skyline S5 Stitch #37: 3.5 wide, 3.0 long, AUTO tension)
Quilting the Placemat:
- Mark all light grey quilting lines from the pattern piece onto the ornament and hanger, including the hanging loop. I found that my hera marker worked well – I placed the paper template over the fabric and marked each line, then traced them with a water soluble fabric marker for better visibility. You can also use dressmaker’s carbon and tracing wheel, or even cut the pattern pieces on each line and trace around them to mark each one.
- Stitch the Quilting line on the hanger with the applique/blanket stitch.
- Quilt all other lines with a straight quilting stitch, leaving hanging loop to the next step. (Skyline S5 Stitch #01: 4.5 wide, 3.5 long, Tension at 3)
- Use a contrasting thread and small zig-zag to stitch hanging loop. I had some grey-tone embroidery thread on hand that I used. (Skyline S5 Stitch #11: 2.0 wide, 0.2 long, AUTO tension)
Binding the Placemat:
- Trim excess backing and batting, following the edge of the main ornament circle.
- Apply the bias binding as desired. I like to machine quilt my bindings and use this tutorial as a guide. ((Skyline S5 Stitch #01: 8.5 wide – brings needle to 1/4″ from edge of even foot, 3.0 long, AUTO tension)
Remove all fabric markings, press if desired, and you’re done!
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I’d love to see your project! You can share photos on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (links below) using the hashtags #alongforthreadride and/or #threadridinghood. Thank you!
Disclaimer: Janome Canada is my sewing machine sponsor, you can read more about why I love Janome machines from earlier this year. Country Clothesline is a blog sponsor and provided the fabrics for this project. I truly love each of their products and always give my honest opinion. Thank you for supporting this blog’s amazing sponsors.
by Sherri Sylvester | Nov 2, 2015
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This year, due to a general time crunch this month, I almost bought our costumes. I say almost, because I actually took the girls (for the first time ever) to look at the costume aisle. And then I regretted it… too many flimsy costumes labeled $20 and $30! Granted, if you buy a $50 one it may last a while, but for a one-time use costume, I have a hard time justifying the cost. I’d rather spend more on fabric to make a quality costume!
Now, I know how this sounds. And I know a lot of you buy costumes. (Namely some of my good friends.) So hang in there! I’m not stuck up, or a super mom – trust me! Purchased costumes are amazing, fast and glittery and generally look way more pulled together than my versions. But since my job is to sew, I am going to sew my kids’ Halloween costumes! (And hope they don’t hate them.)
This year I accidentally leaned heavily on a few of my favorite bloggers for costume help. While trudging through the masses of online “easy”, “quick” and “handmade” costume tutorials I came to a list featured on the DIY Network that I thought would work. My kids picked their favorites and I was so pleased to see that they were written by two bloggers that I follow regularly! Simple Simon and Company wrote the Black Cat tutorial, and Jess Abbott from the Sewing Rabbit wrote instructions for the Garden Fairy.
I won’t elaborate too much on the construction of them, due to the time crunch I mentioned earlier, and the fact that I have now clogged this post with way too many photos! Suffice it to say they were fast and now they are finished! One night’s work last Tuesday, since (procrastinating as usual, of course) the girls needed them on Wednesday for their Ballet class party. I was also fortunate that this Halloween they wore them 3 times, and I know they will live in the dress-up box for years to come. The amortization on them is worth it alone!
If you would like to see more handmade costumes, you can also find Cinderella, Pirate Princess and Izzy (Jake & the Neverland Pirates), Princess Leia and Little Red Riding Hood.
What do you think?How do you feel about premade costumes… hate ’em or love ’em?!
by Sherri Sylvester | Apr 6, 2015
I hope you enjoyed your long Easter weekend! We had a lots of good cousin and family time. Today we are relaxing before heading into another short week.
I started this as a tutorial, but along the way my careful embroidery got derailed by some water, causing fangs and crazy eyelashes… not so good for a white shirt. Of course, a shirt with a mind of it’s own has to be dealt with harshly, so it sat by itself in the corner of my sewing room for the better part of a week! The day before it was needed I gave up and covered the mess with a circle. Thankfully, my youngest still likes it!
The main idea for this shirt was to make a dolman tee with lengthened arms. Similar to the one I made myself, so I could post the sleeve tutorial I’ve promised – or so I thought. I guess I’ll have to make another shirt for myself instead, I’m not complaining about that. *insert cheering here!*
Oh, and did you sort out the arms yet? They’re the bunny ears! It’s a bit of a stretch, but it works in theory – and it’s good enough for my almost-5 year old. Though she did very dramatically proclaim after school that her arms got tired from being held up for “sooooo long”. She’s got a lot of visible personality, this little one!
As far as fabrics, I am happy to have de-stashed my way through this one. Some natural coloured sweatshirt fleece for the body, and cream terry for the sleeves, collar and bunny face. They both have a slight stretch and it fits perfectly! The pattern is the Skipper Top – the kids’ version of the Seafarer dolman tee from Sew Much Ado. I LOVE her patterns. They are so simple to make, and very clear. I’d really recommend them. I’ve reviewed the Skipper top for the pattern tour as well, and wrote up a tutorial on gathered shoulders as well.
I’d better go, we’ve got plans to head over to the grocery store for some sale Easter candy. I’m hoping to throw in a little trip to the fabric store as well – supplies for the many projects I’m working on for Creativ Festival. (Maybe a little bit of bribery for them on their day off!)
Reader Feedback: Did you sew anything for Easter?
by Sherri Sylvester | Feb 11, 2015
Disclaimer: The following poem may cause hilarious fits of laughter OR make you wonder why I am brave enough to post this on the internet. You have been warned!
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Mom, I need some cards, post haste!
There really is no time to waste.
Valentine’s is coming soon,
the day of red, pink, white – maroon!
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Computer bound, I went upstairs,
(because our office is up there).
Drew a heart, scanned in a name,
Thought up a pun (it’s kind of lame).
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Printed them on card stock, quick!
It’s not so hard, there is no trick.
Shopped to pick up craft supplies,
and stickered frogs with googly eyes.
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Another aisle, I’ve just begun,
Some washi tape, I’m on the run.
Now more stickers and tattoos,
Almost done, this is good news!
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Back at home, the kids create.
Stickers, tape (they’re not all straight).
Pretty soon you’ll have a stack,
with maybe some stuck on the back.
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Share them with your family
They’ll pipe up, “from You, to Me?“
Share them with your classmates too,
lots of fun from me to you!
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Hee Hee! That was a lot of fun to write! If you’d like to make some of these yourself, click on the links/pics below to get the free PDF printable in two sizes, as shown in the drawings. (These also work for the teachers, just attach them to a pack of glue sticks!)
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4×6
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4-up on 8 1/2″ x 11″ paper
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I’ve got a few more Valentine related posts you might want to check out! Though, none of them are as fun as the one above. (However, I did write this story once…)
by Sherri Sylvester | Dec 19, 2014
A few years ago my daughter’s school sent home a letter asking for donations to local charities instead of teacher gifts, and it got me thinking. I always have a hard time choosing fabrics and sewing for teachers. I’m never sure if they will use what I’ve made, or even if they will like it. So this year we did things a little differently. Still, with some sewing – because I HAVE to sew them something!
We gave each teacher a fabric envelope filled with a painted salt-dough ornament, a handmade card and a certificate saying we bought a World Vision gift in their name. The fabric envelopes are part of my Fabric Gift Bag Pattern, and I modified them by adding a button and leaving off the strap closure. The girls picked the fabric from my stash of fat quarters and I sewed them up yesterday – as per my “regular” last-minute rule!
The girls were already painting ornaments to give as gifts at the retirement home where we will be singing carols this year. So we made a few extras for their teachers as well. And they worked hard to make some cards for their teachers after school yesterday. My oldest is in French Immersion and I’m so amazed at how quickly she picked up another language! She made a card in each language – one for each teacher.
The World Vision gift we chose to give will donate books and literacy support to kids in need. It made me tear up when I bought it – but maybe it’s just a product of multiple late nights I’ve stayed up sewing? My kids love stories and reading. To think that we have a (small) part in helping other children to have that ability as well – it’s a great feeling! I printed each graphic straight from the e-card. Easy Peasy (and thankfully fast!)
Now we are almost ready for the holidays, I’ve just got to tackle the gift wrapping!
- Reader Feedback: What is your favorite go-to appreciation gift?
by Sherri Sylvester | Nov 25, 2014
I’ve been busy behind the scenes getting a couple of patterns ready in partnership with Fabric Spark. They were sold as kits at the Fall Creativ Festival this year and now I am releasing the pdf version to be sold in my pattern shop as well!
PURCHASE the Fabric Gift Bag PDF Pattern – $7.00
This Gift Bag Pattern was created as a beginner-friendly pattern that only uses 1 yard of fabric! Each instruction is well written, with minimal cutting and simple construction. It is a great way to use your stashed fabrics to wrap your gifts. Use a one yard piece, or cut each bag individually from different fabrics. The fabric bag becomes a permanent gift for the receiver as well! Here is a little bit about each of the four bags.
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Bottle/Sock Bag: Perfect for hostess gifts, or as a stand-in for Christmas stockings, this bag ties it all up with a bow. Fill it with your favourite wine, homemade jelly, socks or a few small toys. The more the merrier.
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Santa Sack: The minimal yardage and simple construction of this Santa Sack make it a quick favourite. Sew up one, or twenty and have a paper-free gift giving season!
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Envelope: An envelope can hold so many things. Use this pretty fabric envelope to uniquely wrap your favourite flat gift. This envelope is perfect for mailing because it fits inside flat packaging!
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Tote Bag: A tote bag is a useful gift and so much more when it arrives as the gift wrapping! This bag is the perfect size to hold books and other small objects. Use it as is or tie the top with ribbon before gifting. |
Here is what you can expect when you purchase the instant PDF Pattern download:
- A 10 page PDF pattern e-book with instructions and lots of photos to help you through each step.
- Simple, detailed instructions and a glossary to help with sewing terms.
- Over 50 full colour photos to illustrate the step-by-step process.
- Granny’s Sewing Basket – highlights Notes and Tips to make sewing these gift bags faster and easier! (introduction to Granny)
- Large seam allowance icons throughout, no more searching when you forget.
- Check boxes in all lists and for each step, for those of you who love to keep track of your progress!
- This pattern includes a limited production seller’s license.
Supplies needed to complete the Fabric Gift Bags:
- 1 yard/metre of quilting cotton
- 45″ of 3/8″ wide ribbon
- matching thread
- large safety pin
Ready to make them?
PURCHASE the Fabric Gift Bag Instant Download PDF – $7.00
If you would like to purchase a kit to compete your project,
please visit Fabric Spark to see available colour options.
If you need any more information or help throughout the pattern I am always available – please email sherri@threadridinghood.com
