Tuesday 27 November 2012

It's a Purple Hot Mat Trivet Thingy

First things first. I want to thank everyone who read my last post, and I want to hug everyone who left a message. It meant so, so much to me, to feel heard, understood, and not alone. Thank you.

Now back to the purple love: my friend saw some pot holders I made, and said "I want me some of that purple goodness!" and I was commissioned (commissioned!) to sew a hot mat. Or whatever it's called. 

I got to try out not one, not two, but THREE whole new skills with this one!  Check me out, earning my quilting stripes!

Skill #1: I pieced the binding. Okay, not so much of a skill, as a design element. I used two different purples around the edge, and I'm in big love with that little chunk o' Chicopee.

Skill #2: machine binding. It was a fun challenge, even though it probably took me as much time to pin as it would have to hands-sew! This baby has 2 layers of batting inside - insul-bright and cotton - so there was more tugging to get it to fit, if you know what I mean!


Skill #3: feather quilting. I enjoyed this too. Even though it's, ahem, invisible.


Luckily, we have a back...


Here she is, in all her finished goodness.


A word about the fabrics. That amazing woven plaid is from Liberty, circa 1988. I went to the Liberty sale when I was about 17 or 18 years old, just for fun. And bought a ton of fabric. I didn't know how to use a sewing machine, but I figured, one day I would.

I put the Chicopee on the binding because she was blending in too well (ha!) with the Cocoon. Hurray for Free Spirit fabrics, making different lines be friends like that! And look at this: a coordinating Moda, of all things, from the Domestic Bliss line.

Left to right, Chicopee, Cocoon, Domestic Bliss

I'm planning a triangle quilt based around these... what should my solid be? Suggestions welcomed here!

Linking up with Live a Colorful Life and Confessions of a Fabric Addict !

9 comments:

Kat said...

I love your Purple Hot Mat Trivet Thingy! I made my first hot mat trivet thingy this week, also. That Insul-Bright was tough to work with! I love the quilting on yours, I was only brave enough to try a meandering FMQ and even that was tough. Way to go on your feathers!!!! (and other new skills)

I just read your last post. My heart just breaks over this entire situation, but my thoughts and prayers are with all of you in that region. What a beautiful, thoughtful post you wrote, with some reminders we should all heed, no matter where in the world we live.

Linda in Calif. said...

This turned out so nice. I just love it. Pretty feathering too. I think any color you have in there will look great. I think I would try for the light blue (so that the others pop) or maybe the white - but use the color you like best. Then you'll really love it.

Linda in Calif. said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Allison said...

that plaid is really great :) I collected fabric for awhile before I truly became a quilter, too.

A coal grey would be a nice safe choice for a solid, but I'm wondering how it would look with a green like the one in the Bliss fabric, or maybe a shade darker?
I'm sure you will make something lovely with this group of fabrics!

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Great combination of color/lines! I would go with a white (Bella or Kona) and let those fabrics just POP!!

Pattilou said...

Oh, I need some of that bright cheerfulness in my quilting about right now! I'm feeling pretty bored with all my UFO's. Love your colors!!!

Anna said...

I'm a sucker for anything with a text print. Love it! I would maybe do a grey solid with those purple prints. Otherwise I've been really happy with my purple/green fabric combos lately as well. Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Sarah Craig said...

Whoop whoop for such a pretty finish! And I love those fabrics - white or grey (Kona Ash would be my grey of choice) would be pretty, but also a very very pale lavender or blue would be nice! Can't wait to see what you end up using!!

Live a Colorful Life said...

Your feather quilting is fabulous! I haven't tried sewing the binding--I still finish by hand on the back--but I would like to TRY sewing the whole thing. Solid: hmmm, my first choice would be mustard. Ack. Maybe not...