I'm on a roll...........(jelly roll that is)........

I don't know when this happened, but for the last few weeks, at least, I've been on a REAL roll with my crafting and sewing (mostly sewing)! My mojo has returned full force, even while I was sick with the diverticlitis (well.. I had to take a few days off!).

What is this you say?

I'm in the MAKING MOOD. I know some of you get like that, as I've read your posts where you make things over and over and over again because you are addicted to it! That's me lately. I haven't sewn that much in years.. but lately... I just WANT....TO....SEW!

I mean... I've made a few cards (will show those later), and in my mind I want to make some more sweet and unusual mini albums, but the sewing machine has taken first place for now........

First up...........placemats. Why? I don't know. (Well I think I may know..... I watched so much YouTube while I was sick, that I saved TONS of things I want to make and watching it reminded me of things I've made in the past - that I want to make again!).

I think I happened upon some "easy placemats" on YouTube, and they were using some jelly roll strips, so I just had to try them. I have had an old jelly roll (42 strips of coordinating fabric, cut 2-1/2" wide) laying around for years.... have been hoarding it as so so pretty.... but decided.. why not? Use it up and enjoy it!

Here's what a jelly roll looks like (not mine... as mine is totally desecrated now!).....

To make the placemats, cut a backing fabric (from my stash)...  cut the batting...... sew the strips on, through the batting and backing fabric, and  you've already quilted your placemat! So fun! I used two large pieces of fabric from my stash for the backings.... 4 yellows with roses, and 2 yellow with tiny tiny roses on it. The strips are all uneven and stick out over the edge...........

 So once done sewing them on.. you "square up" the mat and trim off all the strips and then make the mat the size you want. Mine are 13" x 19".

Pretty already, right? Just love the pinks, lavenders, yellows and touches of green.

Next...... cut some for 2" strips (I used mostly strips from the jelly roll) and sew them on for the binding. I didn't take any pictures of sewing on the binding but it was fairly easy. I followed a YouTube video of a different way to sew it on, using the machine rather than finishing it by hand. Here's a link to the video: Easy and Fast Quilt Binding.

For me to make SIX placemats and actually finish them... a true miracle! Here's the finished product and I'm very ecstaticly pleased.... and I'm going to KEEP something I made for a change! (NOTE: these were not hard to make, but they were quite time consumming).

See the center mat? It is turned over to the pretty yellow cottage rose side.

The binding on this one matches the backs of two of the mats.

I'm SWOONING over that fabric 2nd from the left, that is white with the soft pink roses on it... wish I had yards and yards of it.

Here's the pretty backing on 4 of the mats. They are all reversible so I can use either side. I have hoarded this fabric for years!

Isn't it funny how when we finish something, and love it.. that we take WAY TOO MANY photos of it? I'm guilty of that..........

These are the two mats with a different backing. I really like it too and it matches pretty well. On these two, I used different colors for the binding.

Ta da! All six FINISHED placemats!

Now that's just a start. Should I show you more now or wait for another post????????????????

Think I'll wait......

Hugs to you.. 
~Marilyn~