Pleated Table Runner and Placemat Set

This is a wedding gift for my great-niece Jamie and her husband-to-be, Mark, who are getting married in October.

Freezer-Paper-and-Starch Machine Appliqué Technique Tutorial

Freezer Paper and Starch Machine Appliqué Technique

Blanket Stitch on Iris Appliqué

The iris appliqués are stitched down.  I won't quilt it yet, as someday I will incorporate it into a quilt.

Hearts Mug Rug

Thinking I'd better bring an easier design than the 37-piece irises appliqué pattern to the quilting group next Monday, I drew up a little heart mug rug.  Now the ladies will be able to make this one, should they prefer, or use it as a practice run before trying the irises.

I used a couple pieces of sewn-together strips, left over from another project.

Templates ironed to fabric

Dots of glue on seam edge after starching and pressing edge under and removing template.

Hearts glued to background

Finished mug rug.  Edges are blanket-stitched.

Quilted with an echo stitch.

Business Cards

I printed up some new business cards to take to the quilting group next week:

On the back: 

Iris Appliqué

I have been invited to show my Graceful Garden quilt to a quilting group Monday, September 14, give a tutorial on my appliqué method, and present a trunk show of my quilted items.  I decided to draw up a pattern and type instructions for the ladies who will attend.  The instructions are done, and here are photos of the appliqué work:

Iris appliqué pattern, drawn from a picture

Iris appliqué pattern, numbered

Iris appliqué traced templates

Iris appliqué traced templates

Back of numbered templates

Freezer-paper templates sorted onto the fabrics

Freezer-paper templates ironed onto fabric

Trimmed pieces

Edges starched and pressed under

Appliqué tools

Sticky bottom of Clover mini iron

Faultless Hot Iron Cleaner works its magic

In between uses, I rest the hot mini iron in a cup, because...

... the stand didn't do its job so swell.  After the hot iron sat on it for a couple of hours, the iron heated the metal part of the stand, and the hot metal melted the plastic base.  By the time I went to find the source of the burning plastic odor, the little iron was resting flat against the base, and it was a soft, gooey mess. 

Background fabric is placed on the pattern... another pattern at the side for reference while placing the pieces.

Watered-down Elmer's glue on seam allowance

Iris appliqué, all glued down

I will do a blanket stitch around all the pieces tomorrow, insert the photos into the tutorial, and print enough for the ladies at the quilting group.