Quilted Ornament Place Mats

For this year's Christmas project, I've made 6 place mats in this ornament shape.  I didn't purchase a commercial pattern, I drew out the circle on paper and used a box shape for the cap on the top.  Searching for my compass was a disaster, and using a pin and string is too involved, so I took the largest plate/platter from my cupboard and drew around it.  I believe it measures 14" in circumference.  The box for the cap is actually an empty straight pin box.

I fused the 3 pieces of the ornament onto thermaweb batting, then sewed on the rick-rack.  I quilted each section with angled lines on the bottoms and meander stitching on the tops. The backs are cut from the pattern shape and using the pillowcase technique, I stitched around leaving an opening for turning.  I pressed the mats, stitched the opening closed and top stitched around the mat.  They will be perfect for our table throughout the season.    

NQM - Blocks 5-8

In an earlier post, I mentioned that I have joined the challenge of the National Quilt Museum of Paducah Kentucky's, Block of the Month program.   Click on this link to join or see the published block projects.  We are to learn techniques each month by making a selected artist's 10.5" block using our own choices and stash of fabrics.

For block #5 (August) they chose the artist, Stephanie Soebbing and the Van Gogh Cherrywood Challenge display at the museum.  She took the play on words, "Up Close with the Stars" display and created a close section of the Starry Night painting.   I created two blocks and chose to go with the one on the right and then added more to it.

I used embroidery stitches to create more movement and look similar to brush strokes.

I also used Inktense sticks to bring out more orange in a few of the stars.   When I quilt this block, I may make more swirls in the darker blue sky areas.  

The next block, #6 for September, was inspired by the youth education program at the Museum. Becky Glasby, the director of education at NQM, chose the Glider block using machine paper piecing technique.  

This is my block.  Please ignore the grey strip on the right for the moment.  

At this point, I had 6 blocks already done and half way through the challenge.  I couldn't stop thinking about how these were going to go together.  Traditional sashing strips and corner stones didn't appeal to me.  I liked a modern look and the 3D effect of some tops I had seen before.  So, I got to work auditioning fabrics for the outer borders and the 3D shadow pieces and came up with this.

So, at this point the first 6 are together.
Block #7 for October was inspired by the exhibit "Color Outside the Lines" at the museum.  The designer, Justin Stafford, chose the watercolor technique for the block design.  I again, made 2 blocks and had to make a decision.

The top one was done using the exact technique as stated.  I didn't like it at all. Using the fusible pellon grid interfacing made it difficult to sew perfectly and it didn't lay flat. It was bulky and didn't measure 10.5" square.  I did the second one using a strip piecing technique and it ironed flat and measured a perfect 10.5" square.  Not to mention the colors used are more pleasing.  The picture shows the sashing added to the square, which I will do from now on so I can get it done faster in the end.  Keeping notes on each block will help me in case there are any questions about what I did in creating each one.  

The Block for November turned out to be another traditional block called "Dutchman's puzzle".  It is inspired by the display of Kansas City Star quilts currently in the museum.  At this point I am hoping the next couple blocks will be contemporary so they will balance together better.  Faith Jones of FreshLemonQuilts.com was the chosen artist for this month. 

These are the colors I chose to go with.

So far I've completed the 8 blocks and have the first 6 together.