Happy Holidays From Kim Diehl

Happy Holidays!

First, let me say congratulations to Ethel Snow, who is the winner of my "Very Merry Holiday Party" giveaway ... Ethel, please drop me a line at quiltwench@cableone.net to claim your goodies!

With the holiday season upon us, we're all looking for quick and easy quilting projects, especially those we can whip together and give as gifts. With this in mind, I thought it would be fun to share a fast placemat and table runner idea using my new Garden Grove collection of fabrics.

Ready? Here we go! For each placemat, simply stitch one star block as instructed in the Garden Grove lap quilt project pattern. 

Next, join six assorted print 2 1/2" squares to make a strip ... you'll need two of these pieced strips for each placemat. Press the center seam of each strip to one side, and the remaining seams toward the center.

Join a pieced strip to each end of the star block. Press the seam allowances away from the star block. Layer the pieced top with the batting and a backing, quilt the layers, and bind with the print of your choice for a finished placemat measuring 12 1/2" x 16 1/2."

These are so quick to stitch that I had one pieced in less than half an hour. For even more of a wow factor, try joining three star blocks together end to end, and then surround them with a border of assorted print 2 1/2" squares (you'll need 52 in all) - your finished table runner will measure 16 1/2" x 40 1/2".  So fun and fast, you'll want to gift yourself with a set!

Wishing you all a most excellent holiday season!

Kim


Thanks, Kim!

-hg