.....and Kaffepause placemats!

Once I'd completed a couple of Kaffepause tablerunners, (one for the dining table and a smaller one for the coffee table - pattern by Bente Malm) it was time to get started on some matching placemats. I used fusible pellon for the wadding, which I ironed onto the backing fabric, then used 505 spray to fuse the pieced placemat top to the wadding. Finally I quilted them like the tablerunner, in a very simple way, "stitch-in-the-ditch".....

---

 .....to make the applique leaves, two strips of fabric were sewn together, with the seam pressed open, then the applique design was traced onto the steam-a-seam lite. I cut the shapes out roughly about a quarter of an inch away from the traced outline, and placed it in position on the wrong side of the pieced fabric.....

---

 .....then with a hot iron fused the cut shapes into place. I normally use a teflon pressing sheet for this part, so the iron doesn't get covered in sticky stuff, but this photo was taken before the iron was switched on!!.....

---

.....a steady hand is needed next! The applique shapes are carefully cut out along the traced outline - this gives you a nice clean crisp edge, which will not fray while you are working with it.....

---

.....see? I like using these really sharp scissors by Clover - I've had this pair for about 6 years and they are still razor sharp.....

---

.....then carefully peel off the backing from the steam-a-seam lite, taking care not to rip the applique leaves where the "veins" have been cut away.....

---

.....the leaves can then be put onto the placemats, and when you're happy with the position, they can then be fused into place, again with a hot iron (making sure you use the teflon sheet!) and it's ready for the machine applique..... 

---

.....I tend to always use the same shade when using a brown thread (Mettler quilting thread shade 712) as my local quilt shop, Quilters Haven stocks this colour in larger 457m reels. The machine applique was a bit tricky around these smaller cut-outs.....

---

.....and here is the finished set of placemats. I've really enjoyed making this pattern. Think I might have a rummage in my stash and see what other colours I could make this pattern in - Eva - do you think a green runner would look good??

---