New Year, New Placemats with Island Batik

I decided to have a little fun with this challenge. I chose to be a bit untraditional and make these with really bright basic fabrics from Island Batik.

I started with these solids and added these basic textures.

I put all of them in the wash together. One thing I love about Island Batik is the fabulous color fastness of the fabrics. No running of colors at all!

To make the "plate" and "cup" circles, I traced perfect circles on some fusible web.

I rough cut them out and fused onto the textured batiks.

I then cut them, but not perfectly on the lines. I did not want perfect circles. I wanted just a bit hand drawn look.

I fused them all, mixing up all the colors just for fun.

Aurifil thread matched perfectly for the blanket stitching on my Janome M7.

The quilting and embroidery of silverware was the finishing choice.

I started with a traditional setting, but really that isn't the way we live. Mostly the silverware will be all over the placemat.

I moved around the silverware for each placemat. I used metallic thread for a subtle look on the placemats.

I plan everything out so that I am not surprised when I start all the thread work. The quilting was done first, matching the quilting with the background fabric. Hobbs 80/20 batting provided a nice foundation for the placemats.

Then the silverware.....

I bind all my quilts on my Juki sewing machine.

Here they are:

Setting up on my kitchen table with all my fiesta dishes.

Breakfast:

snack:

Dinner:

The living room bistro table....

And the out take.....Photo bombing by other Island Batik quilts.

Disclosure: The products featured here were provided to me free of charge by Island Batik, Aurifil thread and Hobbs Batting.

Here is a list of all the Island Batik Ambassadors for 2021.

Visit and follow them for great ideas in quilting!

Pamela Boatright ~ Pamelaquilts

Elizabeth DeCroos ~ Epida Studio

Jennifer Eubank ~ Archipelago Quilting

Jennifer Fulton ~ The Inquiring Quilter

Preeti Harris ~ Sew Preeti Quilts

Joanne Hart ~ Unicorn Harts

Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts

Jane Hauprich - Stitch By Stitch Custom Quilting

Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs

Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood

Denise Looney ~ For The Love Of Geese

Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights

Sally Manke ~ Sally Manke, Fiber Artist

Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine

Claudia Porter ~ Create with Claudia

Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads

Brianna Roberts ~ Sew Cute And Quirky

Michelle Roberts ~ Creative Blonde

Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail

Andi Stanfield ~ True Blue Quilts

Jennifer Thomas ~ CurliCue Creations

Suzy Webster ~ WebsterQuilt

Janet Yamamoto ~ Whispers of Yore

Megan Best ~ Bestquilter

In the light of current events, we really need to find some joy. The bright colors and act of creating with fabric can bring so much joy in a stressful time. Follow me on Instagram to find more fun and colorful quilt projects (and some gardening and cooking too!). Follow me on Instagram @bestquilter .

#islandbatikambassador #islandbatik #iloveislandbatik #hobbsbatting #aurifil #aurifilthread #janome