Shabby-Romance Mock-Quilted Mat
This weekend, my husband was off for one day. We had a "normal" stay at home day, or, to put it as my daughter would, "Who-who! It's a hang day!" (I have no idea what a "hang day" is exactly, but I am pretty sure Saturday was it, and I can't help but melt every time she says it.) It absolutely amazed me what I was able to accomplish with my favorite support system at home. Housework, home-cooked breakfast and dinner, alone time and pages of writing in 2 hours, 1 1/2 projects, and tons of Q-time with the ones I love the most on this earth. I love days like that! I think Mike's crazy school/work schedule has given me a whole new level for gratitude for normal family days.
Who-who! It's a hang day!
Now, for Made Monday business, since I actually had time to make stuff. Yes! I got to 3 projects over the weekend. One project was a major fail (a shirt dress from scrap fabric that looked much better in my head than it did on me... no, there will NOT be pictures!), one project still needs a couple of finishing touches before I reveal it, and one is for today.
Introducing, the SHABBY-ROMANCE MOCK-QUILTED MAT.
I had an idea in my head. Sometimes it's a dangerous thing. Sometimes it's an awesome thing. Sometimes it leads to disasters. Sometimes, at least half of the time, it leads to something I like. And about 10 percent of the time, it leads to something I absolutely love. This time, it led to something I like. I think I would have loved it though, if I had known what I know now. So, I shall share what I did, in hopes of giving you some inspiration to create something you love.
I wanted a place mat looking thing (I have no idea what the official word is for it) kind of like a table runner to put my cake display/pull-up-a-chair-and-stay-a-while-yummy-goodies container on top of. I wanted to put it on my dining room cabinet (an idea that falls in the 10 percent, I-love-it-and-love-it-still category).
So here's the project:
My personal supply list:
2 yds of double sided bias tape
16" square of denim
2 fabrics ripped into 1" strips, over 16" in length
2 fabrics ripped into 2" strips, over 16" in length
Thread
Sewing Machine
Rotary scissors and cutting mat (measuring tape and scissors may be sufficient)
I needed to iron some of my strips before I used them because they curled from the pulling. I cleaned up some of the super loose threads too.
I had to seam-rip and re-sew twice because the machine grabbed the pieces of my fabric. There was a couple of places that are barely noticeable that I left alone... I decided since it's shabby, imperfections were welcome. Also, my lines didn't come out perfect, but since they all weren't perfect, it looks awesomely shabby (at least that's my story).
In the end, I hated it on top of my dining cabinet--too much color on a cabinet with plenty of color of its own. So I found a new home for it on my side table in my entryway. I love the mix of the linear pattern on a table with feminine curves. I love the shabby-vintage appearance underneath the vintage looking wedding frames.
I think it looks romantic... especially with all the love in the pictures :)
I love my mix of fabrics. It was so fun to put them together. Almost makes me want to tackle a real quilting project... almost.
Side note: Upon editing this picture, I realized my grandparents picture was broken. Thankful I found it, instead of my son (who can now just barely reach it)! It's taken care of now :)
If I could do this over again, I am not sure that I would use the bias tape. It made it looks super "quilty." Maybe I would use something like lace trim... ribbon... I am not really sure what would look best. I also would have made the shape to fit the table I ended up putting it on. I think it could be super fun in a circle or heart shape and your own mix of fabrics.
In case you are curious, I think this took something like 2 hours to make.
Hope your Monday is Made.
xo
Amanda
Who-who! It's a hang day!
Now, for Made Monday business, since I actually had time to make stuff. Yes! I got to 3 projects over the weekend. One project was a major fail (a shirt dress from scrap fabric that looked much better in my head than it did on me... no, there will NOT be pictures!), one project still needs a couple of finishing touches before I reveal it, and one is for today.
Introducing, the SHABBY-ROMANCE MOCK-QUILTED MAT.
I had an idea in my head. Sometimes it's a dangerous thing. Sometimes it's an awesome thing. Sometimes it leads to disasters. Sometimes, at least half of the time, it leads to something I like. And about 10 percent of the time, it leads to something I absolutely love. This time, it led to something I like. I think I would have loved it though, if I had known what I know now. So, I shall share what I did, in hopes of giving you some inspiration to create something you love.
I wanted a place mat looking thing (I have no idea what the official word is for it) kind of like a table runner to put my cake display/pull-up-a-chair-and-stay-a-while-yummy-goodies container on top of. I wanted to put it on my dining room cabinet (an idea that falls in the 10 percent, I-love-it-and-love-it-still category).
So here's the project:
My personal supply list:
2 yds of double sided bias tape
16" square of denim
2 fabrics ripped into 1" strips, over 16" in length
2 fabrics ripped into 2" strips, over 16" in length
Thread
Sewing Machine
Rotary scissors and cutting mat (measuring tape and scissors may be sufficient)
Side note: Upon editing this picture, I realized my grandparents picture was broken. Thankful I found it, instead of my son (who can now just barely reach it)! It's taken care of now :)
In case you are curious, I think this took something like 2 hours to make.
Hope your Monday is Made.
xo
Amanda