Today I cut into a gorgeous bundle of Bella Solids that just screams summer. I’m beginning a new project, since my baby boy has yet to make his arrival and I amazingly have completed my other big pre-baby sewing project goals. Plus, Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, is a perfect day to begin a summer project, right? My plan is to make a set of six (6) placemats, since we have a surprising lack of quilted home accessories.
I bought this bundle of Moda Bella Solids, called “August”, at Fiddlehead Artisan Supply when I went in to choose the bundle I gave away for the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day. The hot days of summer were still teasing us, and I couldn’t resist the summery feel of these colors together. (For those of you who want to get your hands on this bundle, too, the coupon code nightquilter15% will get you 15% off all online orders from Fiddlehead between now and June 21st!)
I’m hoping to make these placemats using a prismatic half square triangle (HST) style inspired by these quilts by Nydia Kehnle:
Nydia’s advice for making quilts like this was to use MANY different colors to allow a smooth gradation. I know that since the fabric bundle I’m using has only eight colors, my placemats will have a more jumpy color transition, but I’m hoping that they still look cool. I love the transitions of yellows and blues, and hope the jump between the two can be smooth or at least look intentionally jumpy. Time will tell!
I’ve only cut one strip from each fat quarter to start, and plan to pair up HSTs and try a test layout before cutting the fabric for all six placemats.
I’m hoping this will be a good project to continue after my baby is born, too, since I can do it in little bits. Cut a little, sleep, snuggle, nurse, pair a little, sleep, snuggle, nurse, sew a little, sleep, snuggle, nurse, cut a little, sleep snuggle, nurse, repeat.
I’m linking up with Monday Makers–who has some freshly made placemats to show off–, Design Wall, and Molli’s Sunday Stash (again, if I can link more than one post a week!).
Night Quilter 
Great color choices Kitty. Looking forward to seeing the first one. The design is great and looks like it will be a fun challenge.
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of course you can my dear! Let’s see if you can pull this one off! 😉
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What a nice idea. They look like great colors for napkins as well.
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Can’t wait to see the placemats!
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Hi Kitty,
Lovely blog you have. Thanks for inviting me over. Love your placemats’ colour and yes it does sing summer. I’m kind of happy to hear your house is missing quilting accessories. I thought I was the only one ;^)
Good luck with the new project and the eminent delivery.
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Love your inspiration quilts – I’m off to look up more. This will be really cool in your summer colours!
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Those are lovely colours – very rich – I think they’ll gradate (grade?) just fine 🙂
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I love blues and yellows. There is something wonderfully random about the pattern you have chosen – with your eye for colour I think it will be gorgeous. I love your mantra – quilt, feed and sleep. I think it is wonderful – though the sleep part sounds ambitious. I can remember periods when I would have done almost anything for 6 hours consecutively 🙂
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What a beautiful mix of colors, and I *love* using our quilted placemats. They get washed frequently and have held up great for years now!
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Looking forward to seeing these come together!
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Love that prismatic look! Can’t wait to see how yours come together with the colors you’ve selected. Also looking forward to hearing that baby boy has finally arrived!
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They are really summery colours – like sea and sand and sunburn. 🙂
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