We try very hard to give handmade gifts over here at Chez Magpie. I would like to say it’s just because we value handmade, which we do, but it is also because we can’t afford to buy anything. So gift giving for us is always an exercise in making something out of nothing. It’s kind of fun, actually. How can you make something both beautiful and functional that someone will appreciate from what you have on hand?
In this case, we (the kids and I) decided to make place mats. With a little insider info, we found out that not only would that be appreciated, but that the recipient had been shopping for place mats just recently and had been unable to find anything in the fall colors she wanted. I love it when things work out like that.
Meanwhile, these place mats were finished today, ready to ship out to Oma for her late Christmas present. Everyone helped with this one, from picking fabrics to doing the quilting, they are truly a family gift.
I just love the mix of colors on these.
How about you? Are you still working on Christmas gifts or am I the only one?
Comments
10 responses to “Scrappy Bargello Quilted Placemats”
They are lovely!
Thank you! 🙂 I hope the recipient likes them, too. ~Angela~
They are beautiful. The place mats look like something World Market would have and at a pretty price. You make me wish I could sew. I had the choice of taking drama or home economics in high school. Wish I had taken home ec. They did a lot of sewing in that class and all I can do is be dramatic about not being able to. Have a great week. Melinda
Thank you so much, Melinda!! I never took home ec either, I was just a very determined teenager and taught myself. It’s never too late! 🙂 ~Angela~
Beautiful! Wonderful job on those corners, too! I’m assuming you machine quilted them. Did you use your regular machine or do you have one of those big, super-delux quilting machines? My mom hand quilted and taught me how. Have not done one on my own since she passed, but I still might!Beautiful, as I said!
Thank you, Dona!! I did machine quilt them, on my regular sewing machine, and I machine stitched down the binding as well. I have a free motion foot that I use for the quilting, and then my regular 1/4″ patchwork foot for everything else. I haven’t done a really big quilt that way yet, just little things, but I’m hoping to try it this year! ~Angela~
Those came out fantastic!
Thank you, Skye!! I honestly didn’t think I’d like them because it’s not my color palette and I didn’t really love the pattern. But now that I’m seeing the Scrappy Trip quilts all over, and seeing how fun and easy these were to make, I’m hooked!! ~Angela~
That’s a great idea, plus you are very creative. You should sell the plalce mats or start making like decoration acessories for houses, you’d become rich :).They’re beautiful and very original!
Thank you, Danielle! I’m too fickle to go into manufacturing, but I put up a tutorial for anyone who wants to make their own. Check it out! Thanks for stopping by. ~Angela~