Saturday, February 27, 2021

Mini Table Scraps

 This project combines 2 challenges in one project - the Mini Makers at the Constant Quilter, and the Table Scraps Challenge at The Joyful Quilter.

This month I used up some bonus/baby triangles from a quilt that was finished and gifted in 2010 (quilt on the right), so that means these HSTs have been sitting in a box, aging perfectly and are now ready for a project!

The first step is to trim the HSTs to the same size. At this point I realized a variance in the block sizes and didn't want to cut them all down to 1.25", so I separated the blocks into 1.5" trim ups and one into smaller block trim ups. This project uses the 1.5" HST group which means the blocks finish at 1" in the project.


Next you think of a block layout design that you like. That is the fun part. There are no right answers, so do not let this stress you out... just pick one that sings to you.



Then you make 4 decisions:

1) the finished size you want, 

2) how many blocks you need, 

3) sashing or no sashing, and 

4) borders or no borders.

I make these decisions very quickly. I'm making placemats this year, so the size is decided, and that tells me how many blocks I need. In this case it also meant no sashing and no borders due to the space limitation. But I did add a column to both sides to create a rectangular shape for a placemat. 

The next 4 decisions are:

1) batting

2) backing

3) quilt design, and 

4) thread. 

Again, don't stress about these decisions and let decision fatigue set in! Just let the project tell you what it wants, and you decide what you feel like quilting, and then you negotiate. 

Yes... out loud! It's a conversation between the quilter and the quiltee!

I still had leftover fabric in my stash from the backing of the original quilt that was finished 11 years ago... can you believe it!?! That became the binding on this little quilt. Although I measured twice, I was 1" short on the binding! I had needed to insert a piece just to cover the seam allowance on the binding join UGH!

I use a single layer of fabric for placemat binding so that it will lay flatter. And here is the finished placemat.

Finished size: 13" x 16" and uses 80 HST blocks.


The backing fabric is so cute and springy looking!

Linking up to The Joyful Quilter and The Constant Quilter

21 comments:

The Joyful Quilter said...

Super sweet entry for this month's TABLE SCRAPS Challenge, Kathy!! Try as I might, I wasn't able to spot where you used another fabric to cover the join on the binding. Hooray for using up some well-aged Bonus HSTs!

Julierose said...

What a lovely placemat--So great to use up those cut-offs (speaking of cut-offs--do you remember--or are you too young? haha-- cutting off jeans into short-shorts, and letting the hems ravel like crazy? We did that when I was a teenager--long ago!!And now the holey jeans are all the rage!! What goes around comes around, right?) But I digress..;)) as per usual...
Nice work on this hugs, Julierose

Deb A said...

This is such a sweet little placemat! It surely will make whomever uses it smile.

maggie fellow said...

so cute - the floral is so springy

Kyle said...

You listened closely to what these fabrics were telling you. Your mini is very sweet.

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

That really is a fun design, Kathy, and I love the florals in your HSTs and your backing fabric! They all go together perfectly in your placemat.

Chantal said...

That is just beautiful! It is serene and fresh. Love it! and hurrah for leftovers bonus triangles. Great job, Kathy. ;^)

Nann said...

Two birds with one stone -- no, a flock of them. Not only did you fulfill the two challenges, you also made inroads into a WITB (what's in the bag) AND used more of the decade-old backing fabric. Win, win, win, win!

Ivani said...

It is a beauty!
Love the design you chose and the fabrics. Great job Kathy, as always.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

A lot of great tips here, but I really like the 'talk to your project and it will talk back to you'. HSTs can be made into so many great blocks.

Flickenstichlerin said...

They are so cute, thank you for the tutorial.

Quilting Babcia said...

Lovely placement, it's so spring like and cheerful.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Cute. Sorry about the short binding.

ButterZ said...

Very cute.

The Cozy Quilter said...

Wonderful use of your scraps!

Janet O. said...

Now that is a happy looking, springy placemat. Excellent way to kill two links with one project! (That is how the saying goes, isn't it?)

Susie H said...

Kathy, the entire placemat is beautifully springy! Gorgeous!

Kate said...

Very pretty! What a great way to use up those little HSTs and other left overs.

MissPat said...

Sometime when my project talks to me, it says "What on earth were you thinking?" That usually results in it being put back in it's box for a time out. You accomplished a lot with these bonus triangles and have pretty placemats to show for it.
Pat

Kathy E. said...

Loving this! I have so many little pieces like yours (not necessarily bagged tho)...ooops! I need to group them and let them become close friends in a sweet project like this. What a great feeling to make something so pretty and use up those pieces that many others would throw out. Bravo!

Angie said...

Those sweet florals are a great harbinger of Spring! Great idea for using up scrap HSTs!