QUILTsocial Winter 2015-15 Issue | Page 19

skill level beginner finished measurements 18" x 32" [45.5 x 81cm] materials 7 Fat Quarters of your choice Note: Since this is a reversible mat, it’s advisable to choose a colour way for one side and another colour way for the other. The sample has been done in a green colour way on one side and a red one for the other. 12" x 12" [15 x 15cm] remnant of fabric for the centre of the mat 21" x 35" [53 x 89cm] quilt batting Gütermann All Purpose or cotton thread Komfort Kut 18" rotating mat Quilting Ruler 4¼" x 14" Schmetz Quilting needle size 90 5" Sew Easy Hexagon template Clever clips Clover Flower Head Pins Gold Eye Sharps #10 Hand Needles Heirloom Thread snips instructions cutting 1. Using the 5" Sew Easy Hexagon template, fussy cut 2 hexagons from the small remnant of fabric for the centre of the mat. 2. Using the same template cut 1 piece of batting. Make a sandwich with the 2 hexagons with batting in between. 3. Cut 4 – 2½" x 22" [6.3 x 56cm] strips from each of 6 fat quarters. Three green prints were used for one side and three red prints for the other side of the sample. 4. Cut 10 to 12 – 2½" x 22" [6.3 x 56cm] strips of batting. first set of strips 1. Make a sandwich starting with a 2½" [6.3cm] strip of batting, 2½" strip of green fabric right side up, hexagon sandwich, 2½" strip of red fabric wrong side up. 2. Line up the edge of the sandwich and stitch along one side of the hexagon. Take the sandwich to the ironing board and press the strips out from the centre. 3. Repeat with the same colours on the opposite side of the hexagon. 4. Lay the pressed pieces on cutting board and with a rotary cutter trim the strips following the lines of the hexagon. A reversible mat is so cool. Make it in 2 of your favourite colours, and turn it to the colour that best suits the day’s mood, or your mood. Most of the time, a room will have 2 colours in its colour scheme. To beat winter doldrums, make it in two lively colours that match the room, and turn this reversible mat daily. second set of strips 1. Make a sandwich with a 2½" [6.3cm] strip of batting, the second strip of green fabric right side up, hexagon sandwich (so that this seam will be on the hexagon and one side of the 1st strip), second strip of red fabric wrong side up. 2. Stitch through all layers. 3. Take the sandwich to the ironing board and press the strips out from the centre. 4. Repeat with the same colours on the opposite side of the hexagon. 5. Lay the pressed pieces on cutting board and with a rotary cutter trim the strips following the lines of the hexagon. third set of strips 1. Make a sandwich with a 2½" [6.3cm] strip of batting, the third strip of green fabric right side up, hexagon sandwich (so that this seam will be on the 1st strip, the hexagon and the 2nd strip), third strip of red fabric wrong side up. 2. Stitch through all layers. 3. Take the sandwich to the ironing board and press the strips out from the centre. 4. Repeat with the same colours on the opposite side of the hexagon. 5. Lay the pressed pieces on cutting board and with a rotary cutter trim the strips following the lines of the hexagon. 6. This creates a diamond shape. fourth, fifth and sixth sets of strips Continue adding strips in the same way using the colours in a way that is pleasing to you until the mat is approximately 18" x 32" [45.5 x 81cm]. binding Using the 7th fat quarter, cut 5 – 2½" [6.3cm] strips for the binding. 1. Sew the binding strips together to make one strip long enough to go all around the table topper. Press seams open. join right side right side binding fabric binding fabric 2. Fold the binding strip in half lengthwise with wrong sides together. Press. 3. Using a walking foot or even-feed foot, sew on the binding using a scant ½" [1.3cm] seam allowance. 4. Fold the binding over to the back and hand-stitch in place. At each corner, fold the binding to create a 45° mitred corner. This can be stitched down or not, as desired.   Donna Housley www.hakidd.com QUILTsocial .com ● winter 2014/2015 19