Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Place mats

I've been working on Christmas presents, of course. Aren't we all? I'm making table decor for----shh! someone! I won't mention how they are related to me, but they are.

Here are some placemats I have just finished up.


I just took rectangles of fabric of approx place mat size and plopped some of my fancy stitches randomly on them. I admit I borrowed the idea from Stupendous Stitches. If I were ever to do this again, I would make my lines straight. It bothers me to see them wiggle. It was interesting to see how some of the stitches worked out.

Carol Ann Waugh, who wrote Stupendous Stitches, suggests making a Stitch Bible with all your machine's various stitches in it, changing as many variables as you can. This is an excellent idea. I didn't do it.



I had to keep adjusting this one so the two rows would meet up in the middle. 


I used a variegated red/green/white thread for the beginning designs, then came back with a dark blue and a bright yellow.




Cute idea, but maybe could have been executed a little better??

Oh well,
Thanks,
Lin

4 comments:

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

It is a super cute idea, Lin. I struggle to get my "fancy stitches" to stay straight when I use them, too - the machine is just so excited to be doing the stitching that the fabric wobbles all over the place! ha! I think this is why I prefer free motion quilting to embroidery - at least I feel like I have a bit of control when I free motion quilt.

Liz said...

This is a really neat effect. My machine doesn't have any fancy stitches, so I just make a lot of straight lines. It would be fun to play around like this! Great gifts!

Cheryl said...

I like all of the stitches, it adds a lot a variety and interest to the place mats. Your machine has some very fun stitches.

Patch the Giraffe said...

I love your variegated thread and all your stitching choices. Just recently I purchased a new machine and a stitch dictionary is a great idea! Although, like you it will probably remain an idea.