Scrappy Block Challenge - Feb

I am really enjoying getting ideas for things to make from other people then making them fit with the fabrics I have. In the Scrappy Block Challenge you have to make something from the suggested block. It is supposed to be finished off so I am sticking to one block wonders I suppose you could call them.

Judy does a great post about each block with a tutorial and lots of ideas and colourways.

This time I made a new kitchen mat for the sink drainer using some of the shell fabric scraps from my shirt material. I repurpose a retired bath towel for backing with no wadding or backing fabric. It makes them economical and good for the sink. They look good anywhere because you can't actually see the back.

It is almost impossible to notice but I did free motion shells across the block. I know they are there at least. I can see me using this free motion design again.

Below is what it looks like. I got it from a site selling programs for long arm quilting called Urban Elements and I just traced it onto the block. This is the tote bag I made.

Today I am linking up with Scrappy Challenge at Patchwork Times.

Please comment on Flickr or Pinterest if you don't use google+
I am thinking I will do a bit of a post on how great I think Google+ is :)
Maybe I will have to call myself the No-Reply Blogger Bandit - I swoop in, leave a comment and then you have to search for me :D
I think life would be much easier if everyone played on Google+

Happy Quilting and Crafting,

Val

Do I cut up the tea towels? Yes!

My DD1 gave me some Christmas presents wrapped in gorgeous matching tea towels from Target. One was red and white check, one was red with white spots and one was white with a red line design and the fancy rick rack border.
My tea towel hangs on the back of the pantry door so it doesn't really get seen much so I decided to cut them up and make three sets of matching placemats or tray mats, coasters, napkins and mug rugs.
This is the basic layout. I allowed 2 cm extra on the edges that would need hemming. The place mat size was based on the size of my trays. I found in the past that I needed a mat on the trays because the tea pot slipped across the tray if I wasn't careful carrying it. The coasters were in the bottom corner so I could use the already hemmed side.

As a guide:
tray/place mat is 40cm x 28cm
napkin is 29cm x 28cm
coaster is 12cm x 12cm and 14cm x 12cm (one needs three sides hemmed)
mug rug is 28cm x 19cm

The bits left over were just the right size to add a border trim and do some applique. I have enough left over now to put a bit of applique on a white or red tea cosy.

Here are all my lovely sets.

Coasters

Mug Rugs

Napkins

Placemats/ Tray mats

Complete set

Complete set

Tray mat in action

Back in September 2012 I took the plunge and made one of my souvenir tea towels into a tray mat. It is nicer than washing it to death as a tea towel of just having it folded up in the cupboard.

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Happy Quilting and Crafting,
Val