Valentine's Day {Quilted Projects}

"Love does not make the world go round.  Love is what makes the ride worthwhile."

 About two weeks ago, I pulled out these leftovers.

They were leftover layer cakes and cut triangles from my Layers of Charm quilt I made two years ago!

 

I didn't finish all of my Valentine's Day projects until the end of that day.  My husband and I went on vacation to Maui and I just didn't get all the quilting and binding done to take it with me on the vacation.  But I was excited to come home to these "minis".

 I'm actually super excited that I got these done so they are ready for next year!   

I don't mind being late or really early.  I just like being done!  

I used the leftover backing from the Layers of Charm quilt to make hidden zipper backings.

 

I was worried about using solid black binding, but I'm glad I did.  I feel like the eye is drawn only to the triangles of prints and stands out against the quilt on the chair.  The second pillow pops out against the second red chair (and more to come for a coordinating quilt in the works!).

I still had two leftover layer cakes to make two Hugs and Kisses potholders.

I intentionally set aside the lip layer cake for the X potholder.

And a red dot layer cake for the O potholder.

I used insulbrite and batting and then echo quilted both of the potholders. 

I used a fun Teal with white dot leftovers on the backings of all the potholders and trimmed them with black binding and a loop to hang them.

I almost ignored the four HSTs I had sitting around.  But before I put them in my scrap bins, I decided to play around with them and chose to make a trivet.

I didn't love it until I decided to add a coral pink embroidered stitch.

Then to round things out, I decided to make some quilted coasters for the family room again.

I raided my stash and made six of them and it makes my hubby happy because he loves my quilted coasters.

I was also inspired to make a Hugs and Kisses bunting for the fireplace.  I tried to use scrapbook paper I had in my stash that matched the colors in the Moda Kiss Kiss Fabric.

I'm sooo excited about decorating for next year and also making a few more valentine's quilts. 

 Stay Tuned!

Quilted Coasters

I can't say enough how easy these are!!!!  Hoping that you think so too when you view this tutorial!  I am thinking of making holiday sets.  Make a set and tie up with a ribbon.  Voile!  A hand made gift that keeps on giving!

For this project, I had a bunch of scrap pieces of fabric from my window treatments,  birdhouse quilt, and pillow in my studio.  

TUTORIAL

 Supplies

Sewing Machine

Walking Foot preferred

Iron & Ironing Board

Scissors or Rotary Cutter

4 1/2 square ruler (optional)

Straight pins

Materials

4 1/2 inches x 10 inches piece of fabric for each coaster

Batting

Cotton thread that blends with the fabrics

Directions

Step One:  Cut fabric.  Each coaster should be 4 1/2 inches x 10 inch pieces. 

Step Two: Cut Batting.  Each coaster needs a 4 inch square of batting.

Step Two:  Fold the fabric in half, right sides together to form a 4 1/2 inch x 5 inch rectangle.

Step Three:  Sew the 5 inch sides, so you have an opening at the end of the rectangle.

Step Four:  Trim corners, and turn the fabric right side out.

Step Five: Tuck the batting in between the two layers.  The first time was a bit tricky, but since I used a low-loft batting, so it seemed to lay flat easily.  Each time I did another, it became easier and easier! 

Step Six: Fold the coaster's open ends in.  Make sure that your coaster is 4 inches square.  Iron the end to keep the end secure.

Step Seven:  Pin the end.

Step Eight: Attach your walking foot on to your machine if you have one.  A normal foot is possible, but be prepared for possible snagging in your bobbin area because of the layers.

Step Nine:  Start sewing at the pressed/pinned open edge of the coaster.   Start at approximately 1/8 inch from the edge.  Make sure you backstitch to secure your work!

Step Ten:  Sew to the bottom edge of the coaster and stop approximately 1/8 inch from the edge.

Step Eleven:  Make sure your you put your needle in the down position.  I am lucky to have the ability to preset my machine to always stop at a needle down position.  *If you don't have this option, hand turn your needle to secure the needle in the down position.

Step Twelve:  Lift the presser foot and make a 90 degree turn.  Lower the presser foot and continue sewing 1/8 inch away from the edge until you reach the next edge.  Again, stop approximately 1/8 inch away from the edge.

Step Thirteen:  Again, keep the needle down, lift the presser foot, and turn your coaster 90 degrees.  When you reach a point where you are meeting previous stitching, keep your next sewing line 1/8 inch from the sewing line next to it. (see whre my finger is pointing?)

 

You will continue this procedure until you have made concentric rectangle/squares to the center.  Make sure complete with a backstitch to secure your quilting! I don't know if you can see my thread well, but I am surprised how nice and flat the coasters out.  I have no worries that my glass might spill over from the coaster being too fluffy.

Other Ideas

Double sided:  I had some extra fabric, but not enough to make up for the length of 10 inches I needed.  I took two squares of 4 1/2 x 5 inches and sewed the two pieced fabrics to make a 4 1/2 inch x 10 inch strip.  When I folded it, I made sure that it was on the seam line where the two fabrics met.  Now I have a coaster that can be either fabric, depending on my mood!

Gift ideas:  I am thinking all of that holiday fabric I have been collecting over the years could make a nice set.  I love decorating for all the different holidays, but don't like to overdo.  I think these are a subtle way to have Easter, Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanskgiving, and Christmas make there way on our coffee tables!!