basically all that is required for quilting is a straight line of stitching. i chose to engage the dual feed mechanism on my bernina 830, using an open toe foot bernina #20D {“d” is for dual feed in bernina land}. a walking foot would also be just great. you can choose to do it free motion, too, or with any other regular stitching foot of your choice.
i don’t like ‘perfect’ straight lines, so this pattern is perfect. and I just had fun zippin’ along my merry way; but decided to change out my normal stitch plate {pic below} and switch in my straight-stitch plate. that way i get a real nice, straight stitch. it just looks better, and eliminates any of that wobbly-stitch-look that might happen with the straight-line stitching i was doing.
especially with a 9mm wide stitch width opening. there’s lots more ‘give’ in the fabric and needle movement of the straight stitch with that stitch plate. this is a tip i share when teaching mastery classes at bernina, too. want a better stitch when piecing? a straight-stitch plate will help.
i picked superior threads, beginning with king tut 40 wt, and i used isacord polyester 40 wt in the bobbin. works smooth as silk {but it’s not silk} and i loved the slight variegated look from king tut that ‘fades in and out’ on this cool plaid fabric which is the background
for a little extra pizazz, i changed out {for just a few stitching lines down and across} to a superior thread rainbow tri-lobal poly in purple-blue for some fall-color lovin’. {love it with the brown} i did the other one with some rainbows pinks – {love it too}
if you’ve been following my blog for awhile, you already know i’m not much about traditional fabrics. i dig contemporary for the most part. i love traditional ~ but i rarely make it. {but if anyone wanted to give me a quilt that was all about traditional ~ hey, i wholeheartedly raise my hand and scream wildly “pick me ~ pick me!”}
but i dig these charming little floral prints. and when i saw the kit ~ i knew it was the only way i was going to be interested in finishing these cute turkeys. the work was done for me ~ and i love laura’s style, anyway ~ these fabrics are so adorable. for $80 you got the kit, including enough fabric for backing and binding. the kit makes 8 placemats. the pattern was $10
something else i don’t do too much of is hand stitching. love, love, love the look of it… but i just don’t have enough hand strength and not nearly enough time. so i free motioned those details for eyes, beak, red stuff, and his legs. hand stitching would be totally adorable, tho.
i got two of ’em done. and i’m turkey-talkin’ happy about that! i timed myself too ~ took about 15-20 minutes to quilt each mat. not bad. {doesn’t count fusing, cutting, binding and finishing time}
i did a simple, bias binding from striped fabric. love that look, too. i left myself plenty of binding on the back, as I ‘stitched in the ditch’ from the front to get ’em finished easy and quick.
in most circumstances, i like a hand-stitched binding best… but again – time is the deal here, and since these will be washed, this kind of sturdy stitching will endure.
I recently posted about finding this adorable pattern, and the kit I purchased for it on September 25th. You can re-visit that post to see pictures of both. The pattern is an original creation by quilter and fabric designer, Laura Heine, who owns Fiberworks, a spectacular quilt store in Billings, MT. {you will love this store} {and no I wasn’t paid or given a ‘deal’ for this review ~ laura doesn’t know who i am even} she has a wonderful website as well. Click here!
whatdayathink? are they cute or what?
so cute cute CUTE! {two down… six more to go!} i have listed these two in my etsy shop, fyi. i may make more … but the rest will be for our own table here at home.
EnJoY ~ thanks for stoppin’ in! {GOBBLE GOBBLE!}
Comments 8
The finish product is done. It's so facsinating and the color combination are just right. Nicely done. I love it.
sydney hummer hire
You want to talk turkey, eh? Great design and your table will look wonderful!
Oh my goodness… YES, cute!!!
oh i do so like your gobble gobble place mats….
Your place mats are wonderful and round and full of charm and character.
They are cute. I like hand stuff but time is hard to find so machine finishes are great. You are definitely talking the kind of turkey I understand!
They are so cute!
How perfect for the season!!! I love turkey decorations and I may have to give these a try. Even one would be sweet as a small table topper!