Monday, May 13, 2013

Quilted Mat Sew Along


I've been thinking about doing a tutorial for one of these ever since I made my first one back in February. I made first quilted mat just to test out my then-brand-new walking foot, but I loved it so much I've since made a couple more. I started putting together the tutorial, and it was getting quite long. Then I was chatting with a few sewing buddies and we were talking about how getting started with quilting was quite intimidating as the projects are often so large and such a commitment in fabric.

So I thought - why don't we do it together as a sew along? Then everyone can encourage each other, ask questions and show off their finished products!

This project is aimed at anyone who has thought that they would love to make a quilt, but the thought of actually sewing up large sized quilt is just overwhelming!

Advanced quilters are SO welcome to join in too - you guys could mix it up a bit by using small blocks or half square triangles rather than squares!

The Sew Along will start on Monday 20th May and will be scheduled like this:

20th May - tutorial 1 - sewing the quilt top
22nd May - tutorial 2 - basting and quilting
24th My - tutorial 3 - binding the mat


Here is one I made earlier this year for a swap partner (I love that pink and grey combo so much!)  You will need 12 x 5 inch squares. You can either use charm squares that are pre cut (like the mat in the picture below) or you can cut your own, which I did for the pink and grey mat.


This one is the first one I made to be used as a sewing machine mat - I used the yellow, green and orange charms from a Half Moon Modern charm pack. They were left over after I made my Quilted Sewing Machine Cover from the aqua, grey and red charms.

What can you use your mat for? Anything really. This latest one that I made using some Cuzco charms will be a mat for my overlocker. You might like to make it as a small table runner (you could add more charms and make it longer), as a place mat for the dinner table, or a mug rug.

It would be AWESOME if you wanted to join the Sew Along in real time and make your mat with me next week. If not, don't worry, the tutorials will always be here on the blog and you can come back any time you like.


So to get ready for the first tutorial, you might like to get your materials ready. You will need:

  • 12 x 5" squares (12.5cm)
  • a 20" x 16"  (50 x 40 cm) piece of batting. Cotton or polyester - as it is not a garment to have against skin, I am happy to make these from cheap batting.
  • a 20 x 16"  (50 x 40cm) piece of coordinating fabric for the backing (an fq will be perfect)
  • 2 yards (2m) of bias binding (tape) - I used a store bought one, single fold 1" wide (2.5cm)
  • quilt basting pins (they look like safety pins but with a curved shape. You can buy a packet for a couple of dollars at your local quilting / fabric store)
  • thread, rotary cutter and ruler, pins
 Optional - walking foot. If you don't have one, just your regular presser foot will be fine!


I strongly recommend you try and use what you have from your stash! 5 inch squares are a great way to use large scraps. If you need some tips on how to accurately cut them, check out this tutorial. The blue polka dot I have used for my backing is a small piece of voile I've had in my stash forever but thought it went nicely with the blue and pink squares I chose for this mat. The pink and grey one was made from me going through my stash and cutting squares from every pink and grey fabric I owned!

I'd love to see your fabric choices and your progress - share it in the Sew Delicious flickr group!


So what do you think? Are you in?

If you are participating, you can grab this button!

Sew Delicious Sew Along

21 comments:

  1. I am in! My laptop needs a mat, it gets so hot I worry it will damage the table :)

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    Replies
    1. What you need is a laptop cooler underneath. I almost lost my laptop from overheating this week. The mat will block the air vents underneath and that heat is a sign of danger.

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  2. Can't wait! I need a mat for under my machine as it's a noisy little bugger. lol.
    PS... love, love, LOVE those fabrics in the top image!!! xo

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Cass! They are from a Cuzco by Kate Spain charm pack :)

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  3. I've been meaning to make something like this! This is perfect!

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  4. Oh WOW - this will be great. Being such a newbie, it will be perfect to help me learn the ins and outs. Yep I am in - might just need a gentle reminder (you know like a mega kick up the behind the day before LOL).

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  5. I am in :) Hmmm now I need backing fabric... pins... and bias...

    I will have to do my best without a rotary cutter and mat for now, saving up for an olfa one :)

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  6. I'm in too :) I have my fabric I will be cutting this week!

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  7. I'd love to join in but am unable to at the moment so I will bookmark the posts as it goes along if you don't mind :)

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    Replies
    1. No worries Emma, once the tutorials are published they will always be here for you to access! :)

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  8. Looks awesome, but I might have to bookmark the posts for a later date too.

    Sarabeth
    Life of an Agnostic Sunday School Teacher

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  9. How do we join in on this group?

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    Replies
    1. Hi Yvonne, you don't have to do anything formal to join, the idea is that we all make the mat at the same time then share our pictures as we sew during the week and the finished product at the end. Very relaxed! :)

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  10. Hi there, I love your crafty blog, so many helpful tips! I'm so glad to have found this tutorial. I have wanted to quilt for such a long time but have found it so overwhelming to get started. This is the perfect solution - a quilted mat! I'm just starting your sew along tutorial today. Thank you very much for all the simple and easy to understand instructions and tips.

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  11. Thanks so much Zena for your lovely comment! Hope it all goes well, would love to see a picture when you finish it :)

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Thank you so much for your comments - I adore hearing from you! I love to reply personally via email so if your email isn't visible in your profile feel free to leave it in your message so I can get in touch!

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