December 30, 2012

December's Across The Pond Project

Just in the nick of time...
I've finished my December project


Our lovely Amanda, The Patchsmith,
has outdone herself this month,
with TWO versions of a clever and useful placemat.

One features whimsical appliqued trees...


And here is the paper-pieced style!


I happen to love the paper-piecing process,
so I chose to make that version of Amanda's pattern.
This is what mine looks like!


 If you don't mind a bit of detail...
and a lot of photos...I'll walk you through my design process.

Fabric selection is almost always the best part for me!
I started with some fat-eighths from my Cherry Christmas bundle,
by Aneela Hoey for Moda,
and I still have plenty left for other projects.

{Whew! I can continue to hoard some of it!}



I mixed in a couple of other prints, like some Modern Meadow by Joel Dewberry and Glace by 3 Sisters for Moda. 

{I love the celery greens with tiny bits of red and brown.}


I had more fun creating the snow-topped trees,
especially because we have some REAL snow outside!

{The little birdies on the trees are too sweet!  Oops...some of them are upside-down!}


Once the trees were stitched and pieced to the background...


it was simple to finish up the top with patched borders.

{I skipped the napkin ring, because I may want to use
mine as a wall hanging sometimes.}


My background was an ivory linen.
Maybe I could have selected a sharper contrast, but I like it very much.
The linen is luscious for quilting, especially once I got it fused
to my dear friend, Pellon 987F fusible fleece!

{The overlapping straight lines in the corner are my favorite part of the stitching.}


For the borders, I made some crisscrosses, and the quilting was done!


and my edges came out perfect in no time!



This project is very versatile and would make an adorable table topper...


as well as a useful placemat.


I'm going to enjoy it all winter long!


Susie, Amanda, and I welcome you to jump in 
and join the Across the Pond Sew Along,
at any time!

{Jump in to the Sew Along, that is...NOT the Pond!}

Please feel free to share photos in our Flickr group!
Happy New Year, friends!


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8 comments:

  1. Just in the nick-of-time indeed but December is such a busy month - time runs away from us all. I think the birds are upside down because they must have slipped on the snow-topped trees. As for binding - perfect. Love the fabric choice and I think the background fabric works well too. The asymmetrical quilting is an excellent idea (and one I may borrow from you in the future). Nice work Amy - and happy Hogmany/New Year.

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  2. Whoops - that should be happy Hogmanay. xxx

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  3. Lovely version of Amanda's trees. Love how you added the snow to the tops.
    Gelukkig 2013.

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  4. I love each one of these! If the water's not to deep, I may want to jump in. :) I've been feeling ready for another sew-along.

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  5. Love your beautiful project! Such pretty colors!

    Susie

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  6. Gorgeous! I have mine started. I will be posting late, but I was happy to at least start! :) I love the fabrics you chose for yours. Absolutely beautiful!

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  7. Your placemat is gorgeous! Love the colours

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  8. I love the fabrics you chose to use for your placemat! I'm still trying to decide on mine... and taking too long!! Yours is so beautiful :)

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I look forward to your comments and will read each and every one, even if I am not able to reply to all of them.