The Summer Scrap Elimination 2023: Week 5

Good morning Summer Scrappers! It's Week 5 and we are still scrapping it up here in the studio, doing our best to cut down on our small left overs and make room for all our new pretties!

Last week we had a quick and easy beauty of a quilt. This week we are going a little more complex, but I think you'll find that this is an easy project to make in multiples. I started with 3 of these place mats for the dining room and ended up making three more the next day!

Now as you can see in the first photo, there is more than one way to make this place mat. I'm going to give you the cutting for the one you see at the top of the first photo and you can easily see how to make adjustments to move the little corner element around depending on your preferences.

Cutting for 1 place mat (unfinished size 12 1/2" x 18 1/2"):

Lights:

2 ½” strips cut at the lengths of 6 ½”, 8 ½”, 9 ½”, 11 ½”

1 ½” strips cut at the lengths of 8 ½”, 9 ½”, 11 ½”, 12 ½”

3 ½” x 12 ½”

Coordinating strips (3) 1 ½” x 12 ½”

Highlight color 4 ½” square (2)

2 ½” square (5)

Coordinating colors 4 ½” square (2)

2 ½” square (2)

Coordinates with highlight color 1 ½” x 2 ½” (2)

1 ½” x 4 ½” (4)

1 ½” x 6 ½” (2)

Step 1:

We're going to start with the variation on a log cabin block.

Begin with one of your 2 ½” highlight squares and stitch both of your 1 ½” x 2 ½” coordinating rectangles to the left and right sides. Press toward the added rectangles.

Stitch 2 of the 1 ½” x 4 ½” coordinating rectangles to the top and bottom.

Stitch the remaining 2 of the 1 ½” x 4 ½” coordinating rectangles to the left and right sides.

Check to be sure this unit measures 4 ½” x 6 ½”.

Step 2:

Complete the log cabin section by stitching the 1 ½” x 6 ½” coordinating rectangles to the top and bottom. Check to be sure that your block measures 6 ½” x 6 ½”.

Mark each of your remaining 2 ½” highlight squares on the diagonal as shown in the adjacent image.

Step 3:

Turn the unit you've created into a "snowball" block!

Position the 2 ½” highlight squares on the block as shown.

Stitch on your marked diagonal lines and trim away the excess fabric on all 4 corners.

Press toward the added corners.

Your block will still measure 6 ½” x 6 ½”.

Step 4:

Stitch the 2 ½” x 6 ½” background rectangle to the right side of your completed block. Press toward the added rectangle.

Stitch the 2 ½” x 8 ½” background rectangle to the top of the unit. Press toward the added rectangle.

The piece will now measure 8 ½” x 8 ½”.

Step 5:

Using one of the 4 ½” squares of your coordinating colors add the corner triangle using the same technique we used to create our snowball corners on the 6" block.

Press toward the added coordinate.

Step 6:

Continue framing your block out.

Stitch the 1 ½” x 8 ½” background rectangle to the right side. Press toward the background.

Stitch the 1 ½” x 9 ½” background rectangle to the top. Press toward the background.

Use one of your 2 ½” squares of coordinating color to create the triangle in the corner, continuing to use the same added triangle technique from Step 3.

Step 7:

Ok, you know what we're up to now.

Add to your frame out with a 2 ½” x 9 ½” background rectangle on the right side.

Stitch your 2 ½” x 11 ½” background rectangle to the top.

Using the remaining 4 ½” square of your coordinating colors add the corner triangle using the same technique we used to create our snowball corners on the 6" block.

Press toward the added coordinate.

Step 8:

Complete your frame out with a final round, adding your 1 ½” x 11 ½” background rectangle to the right and your 1 ½” x 12 ½” rectangle to the top.

Finish the frame out with your final 2 ½” square of your coordinating colors to create the last triangle in the upper right hand corner.

Y0u can also see in this image that I have stitched together all of my 1 ½” x 12 ½” coordinating rectangles and added them to the right side of my 3 ½” x 12 ½” rectangle.

Add these strips to the right side of the unit you have created to complete a 12 ½” x 18 ½” place mat.

Step 9:

Add the final 2 highlight squares to the right side corners to create the final triangle elements and press toward the added triangles.

Your completed mat will measure 12 ½” x 18 ½”.

I had so much fun making these and moving the block around in the mat depending on what I decided was fun at the moment. I love the idea that these feel modern and use traditional techniques to create. Making them all a little different was fun and I can't wait to quilt these and put them on the table when we get the kitchen done!

For those of you that are looking to turn this concept into a quilt, consider making a few of the variations of the place mat concept and rotating them to create some interesting directionality in the "arrows" of the quilt.

In this design idea, I would use a 4" border for a balanced outer edge.

This variation on the project requires 24 of our place mat blocks and with the border is a queen sized quilt at 80" x 80".

Last week we had the amazing Nancy Meyers from Patchwork Breeze and this week I am so pleased to be able to introduce you to one of our returning designers, Tammy Silvers from Tamarinis. Tammy is one of my favorite examples of a innovative quilter who creates patterns that push boundaries and yet are also designed to create confidence and comfort in their construction.

I'm so excited about what Tammy has to offer you this week. Check out her blog post and the fabulous scrap project she has created for you. Enjoy!

Next week, we'll be back with a new Wall Hanging project from me and another wonderful project from, Kathy Bruckman at Kathy Kwilts.

Finally, how about a little extra fun with the Summer Scrap Elimination this year? You got it!

1. Keep track of the Scrap Projects you create with both my blogs and those of the guest designers.

2. Post any project you complete (it doesn't have to be quilted, but it does have to be a completed top.

3. Tag me @SwanAmity on Instagram or Swan Amity Studios on Facebook. Be sure to also tag the guest designer if your project is from one of their blogs.

When I see your tagged post I will comment and add your name to the drawing for a prize pack of new batik fabrics, a brand new rotary cutter from Quilters Select, and a mystery package of patterns to play with! This prize pack will include beautiful fat quarters from my last two signature lines from Island Batik. We'll also be drawing two additional names and those winners will also receive fabric packs and fun products to keep you stitching happy all year long!