Gin Blossoms

I've been playing again. Some of my best ideas come when I'm cutting scraps or straightening up the sewing room. Today's project is one of them.

I like to mix elements from seemingly unrelated dies to form new blocks. Chalk that up to creative curiosity and a love of puzzles. I've never been afraid to change a pattern or design to suit me.

This medallion table mat combines three dies: kite, triangle in square and drunkard's path. I've seen a similar design somewhere before but of course I changed the layout. Shades of rusty red, salmon pink, and stone make a pleasing palette. After adding a 3” border and a chevron binding, Gin Blossoms final size is 23” square.

I free motion quilted with ecru thread using a medium wave ruler in rows 3” apart, then rotated and straight stitched across the curves.

Winter is a natural time to rest and recharge. I highly recommend letting go of expectations, responsibility, and self imposed restrictions. Play a little and see where it takes you.

Accuquilt dies used:
55254 Kite 4” finished
55409 Triangle in Square 4” finished
55739/55743 Drunkard's Path 4½” (trimmed to 4”)
55032 Strip 3½”
55017 Strip 2½” 

A Little Tipsy

A Little Tipsy

How about a glass of sangria? Drunkard's Path block made this table mat just the right accessory for serving up a pitcher on Cinco de Mayo. I found two remnants of purple and stone batik fabric in my stash.

This 19” square mat whipped up so quickly using Accuquilt dies to cut the pieces and binding. I added 2½” triangles in the corners for a different look. Precise straight stitch quilting with light stone colored thread outlines each piece. (I didn't drink the sangria until after I finished.)

I used my brand new Janome HP2 Acufeed foot on this project.  Perfect quarter inch seams and no stretching on curves or bias edges.  Love it!

Here's a hint about my next quilt: hundreds and hundreds of 2½” half square triangles. This should keep me busy for sure. Check back next week for an update.