|
Note: Before we go any
farther let me tell you why I want you to use lots
of starch on all of your fabrics. Starch will make the
fabric much easier to handle. Have you ever notice the
manufactories use it a lot? Using starch makes your
machine and needle slide over the fabric. Ever notice
how nice your iron slides over the fabric after
using starch? When the starch is washed out of the fabric
your marks will go with it if you have marked it lightly.
Starch will make the applique fabrics much easier to trim
after applying the applique position stitches. There
will be much less fraying if you have made the applique
fabrics stiff with the starch.
Oh.. one more thing worth mentioning here... do
get a telfon coated iron if you don't have one already.
They make a world of difference.
For each mat you will need. (Note: there is no
certain size to make your mat. Make them what ever
size you need for your own table . This is the size
that works well for me. I will trim it later) Make them
a little larger as they shrink some with the quilting
and laundry. If in doubt..wash and iron your fabrics
before proceeding.
Backside (interlining)
1 piece cut 20 X 14 inches
Backside(lining) OPT.
You can choose to put a linning on the back to
dress it up there... but it is not necessary. Matching
the bobbin thread on a busy print works
well. After all who will turn them over and look when
you have the table all set?
Topside 1 piece cut 19 X 14. Starch
and iron these pieces until firm.
BattingCut two pieces 20 X 14 of Fairfields Cotton Classic
quilt batting. (Do not attempt to use a dracon batt. Also the
100% cotton batts will shrink your mat so if you choose to
use this type better make the mat larger) For a thicker/heavier
mat you can use another layer of this batting. I have
even placed a piece of an old towel or blanket between
the batting when making pot holders
BindingCut some binding strips
2 1/2 inch wide and long enough to go around your mat plus 6
or more inches. (Note: if you are making oval or round
mats you will need to cut these on the bias. Square
or rectangle on the straight grain is fine. Fold
these strips in half lengthwise and press.
Marking the quilting
lines. With the large quilter's
rule and mechanical pencil I began by folding the top fabric
pieces in half both way and making a light crease,
(another reason for the starch)
Next began marking the lines from center outward both
ways 1 3/4 inches apart. Do this very lightly. The stitches
will cover most of these pencil lines and the rest will
wash out if you have not marked them to heavy. The starch
helps to remove the pencil marks.
Making the sandwich. Lay the back (or interlining)
good side down on the table. Having the two pieces
of batt together very lightly spray one side with the
basting spray. Lay it on the back fabric glue side down
smoothing it to get any lumps out. Next spray the other
side of the batting and place the top fabric, right side
up, on this taking care to smooth any wrinkles. Your
sandwich is now complete and it is time to quilt it.
Quilting the mats.... You may/may not need
the walking foot on your machine. You should make a
small sandwich of the lining, top fabric with the 2
layers of batting between to test until you get the results
you like. I use a fine thread and a little larger than
average stitch length for mine. The embroidery bobbin
thread works well on the bobbin. There are two many threads
on the market for me to tell you what to use. Just experiment
until it looks good to you. Another thing worth mentioning
here.......... you can use some of your machine's pattern
stitches too. One is the elastic stitch. The one on
my old Bernina 930 is more rounded and
I like the looks of it much better and use it a
lot. If you have developed the skills to do free-hand
quilting this looks nice also. I love the look of stripple
quilting and love to do it.
|
In the photos above
I have started quilting my mats. I began with the
center mark and worked to my right then without
turning the mat around I roll up the finished side
and stitched the other side. When I had completed
the shorter rows I turned my mat and, began stitching at
the center working to the right. Then I stitched the
lines to the left of the center line..(right photo) Do
not trim the mat now as you may need that extra on
the ends to aid in hooping.
We must now decide the shape of our mats.
I like oval mats for my round kitchen table so
mine will be oval but you can make yours any shape you
like. Make a paper pattern of this shape and use it to
mark the shape on the mat.
Choose your design (I hope you choose one
of my applique designs.) Print it out on thin
paper (I use the food wrap papers) to use as a placement
guide. Pin it where your design should be then put
the plastic template over it, aligning it up with the
marking on the paper template and pin in position. (Full
instructions for this step is in my hooping
instructions. Put your hoop in position and hoop it
all together. I did not need any stabilizers.
| I am now all hooped and ready to apply
my design. I will remove my plastic and paper
templates and applique the designs I have
chosen. I advice using a polyester embroidery
thread and very good grade of fabric because
these will go though many laundries. Since
this is a lesson on making the plate mat
and not on embroider/applique I will skip
over that part.
After the design is in place it is time
to trim the plate mat outer edges. We've already
put the mark where we are to cut so that
will be easy to trim now with the scissors.
|
|
|
|
If you wish you can add a new piece of fabric
for the back at this time. Just cut it the same
as the mat and pin it to the back. You can quilt
this back if you wish or decorate it and you will
have reversible mats. Fold the binding strip as
shown on the right and pin the strip all around
the mat. (Remember my mat is oval so no corner to
deal with. Maybe in another lesson I will explain
how to do the binding on a square corner.) when
you come back to the beginning tuck the end in this
fold. Sew this strip to the mat using a 5/8 inch
seam. The only thing left to do now is to turn the
binding to the back side and whip it down by hand. A
nice relaxing job to do when watching TV tonight. |
|
I'm all done and here it is!
The green/white checks matches the wall paper in
my kitchen.
This little rooster is so cute. I think he
knows it and that is why he is crowing.
I wonder what I should serve my next guest.
Do you think maybe Kentucky Fried Chicken or
scramble egg sandwiches. *grin*
|
|
|
