Patchwork

 I have watched a few patchwork videos and found a design I love, in a simple format, easy to make, using my stash of Christmas fabrics. I have always planned all projects, and with craft I always double and triple check, my notebook is never far away. The table top is 49cm x 61cm, I do want the cloth to drape down the sides. In my notebook I drew squares to check what size I wanted them on finished item.

Firstly I trim the edges to ensure the fabric is straight, then I cut strips to sew them together in stripes. I cut 14 different fabrics, much more that I need, but as always as I start making, plans change. Plus I have a use for the strips not used.

The strips are sewn together, I now need to cut them horizontal, the strips are cut the same width as the vertical cuts, making neat squares once sewn together, all is measured to help keep corners tidy.

 I now have 11 lengths, I will stitch the ends together creating rounds. I then unpick each round at a different point to stagger the designs.

Now I am stitching the new lengths onto a pretty background fabric to make the tablecloth. I am using clear quilting thread so the stitches can't be seen, it a great help with all the different coloured fabrics. I attach the strip right sides together ensuring the design is the correct way up, thus attaching the top of the previous strip and the bottom of the new strip to the backing fabric, after stitching iron flat and repeat.

I decided to make my own binding, again using fabric I alreay had, therefore making this project without purchasing anything new. It's really easy to make, cut strips fold using an iron for sharp creases and the tuck both raw sides in, ensuring the tape is the same width the whole length.

Some of the patchwork corners are slightly out, it does not bother me, I'm happy with my new cloth, it will look good on the small table under the Christmas tree. 14 squares across and 11 squares up, the table is oblong not square.

I have a huge jellyroll of fabric strips, enough to make a quilted lap blanket, not another design using squares, I'm thinking lots of different lengths of oblongs, no corners to match. I have used vast amount of my stash of Christmas fabrics, most of them fat quarters, a few designs are up to 20 years old, you can feel the difference in the quality compared to modern cottons. 

On my last post  I received a comment correcting my grammar, the comment was anonymous, and no name within, I don't post comments which I find rude, this blog is not my english project, at school I excelled in maths and science, grammar was always a struggle, please be polite and pass over any mistakes as I and everyone else would do on all blogs we read.  

I am back in Somerset visiting family, we all get together on everyone's birthday, last weekend was Bridgwater carnival, not a good time to visit, This is the facebook link, most of the sites now you have to pay to view. The town was full of visitors and very busy, always best to avoid if possible.