FNSI - TruStitch and Quick Placemats

There was enough snow today to close the schools early, so since  I was going to be staying home this evening, I thought it was good timing for the Friday Night Sew-in (FNSI).  I had missed seeing the signup this week, but did just notice it, so I'm signed up for it at Handmade by Heidi.


I wanted to make a quick gift for my mom's 83rd bday this weekend, but I had to take care of some over-due tasks first.  I needed to get my Sweet 16 back up and running.  I had sent off some of it's computer guts to HandiQuilter before the holidays to get a (free) upgrade to support the TruStitch Stitch Regulator.  I've received the parts back, and they been waiting patiently for me to get to it.

So here's how my Friday Night Sew-In started....

Sweet 16 C-Pod unit.  Just have to remember where each plug went.

Once that was done, then I got the TruStitch set up.

TruStitch by HandiQuilter for stitch regulation.

Practiced some FMQ on a few test sandwiches.  Now that I don't have to worry about stitch length, I can focus on my quilting skills.  :-)  I need lots of practice!

There are a few options of how to work with the regulator.  I think I prefer to have the little controller (the white hockey-puck looking thing) under the quilt, with my right hand over it.  When the controller is under a quilt, it flashes a bright light so that you can see where it is under the fabric.

You can see the bright light that flashes under the quilt when using the TruStitch.

I decided to make a couple of placemats with coordinating cloth napkins for my mom, to go along with the lunch I'll be bringing her.

Fabric for napkins, placemat fronts & backing.  Ready to stitch.
How To:
  • I cut the placemat fabrics and batting at 13" x 16".  The napkins were cut square at 16" x 16".
  • I used a temporary fabric spray to adhere the batting to the wrong-side of the front placemat fabric. 
  • Pinned the front and back fabrics, right-sides together and stitched it pillow-case style with 1/4" seam, leaving an opening at the bottom.
  • Turned it right-side out through the opening, hand-stitched that opening closed, and top stitched 1/4" the around the edges of the placemat.  
  • I turned the edges on the napkins 1/4" twice, and stitched them down.
  • I added a free-motion quilting stipple stitch to the placemats and was done.

Quickie gift.

I stitched a little tie to wrap it all up.

The flower print is on the back of the placemats.

That was quick and easy.  Just a little something something to go with her lunch.  

Here is a photo of my mom & I, copied from my About Me page.
Happy Bday Mom!  She'll be 83 on Monday.

I'm sharing this at Pigtales and Quilts' Sharing Saturday.

Happy Stitching!!

13 comments

  1. Hi!!! WOW!!! These are so sweet and pretty!!! You mom is going to love them!!!

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  2. The placemats are really pretty and your mom will be delighted!

    Thank you for linking to the Saturday Sharing Day linky party over at my blog.

    www.pigtalesandquilts.com

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  3. What a sweet gift to go along with lunch. I love the pasley fabric. Nice job!

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  4. snow days are perfect for sewing days-love your placemats Kathy

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  5. Please tell your mom Happy Birthday from me. Loved your post. Wonderful gift idea. Thanks for linking up to Saturday Sharing Day. That is where I found you blog. Happy Stitching Hugs, Kathleen from Beautiful Nelson Bay, Australia http://kathysnest32.wordpress.com/

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    1. Hi Kathleen,

      I'm happy to wish mom a happy bday from you. Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting.
      Have a great day!

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  6. These are really cute! I need to start now to be ready for birthdays and Christmas for next year.

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  7. The placemats and napkins are beautiful .... I do love paisley! Such a lovely gift for mom.

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  8. Happy Birthday to your Mom! The placemats look great, thanks for sharing!

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  9. Found you over at Marcia's New Blog Linky Party. I just bought a Sweet Sixteen Sit Down machine and decided to follow your blog hoping I'll learn from you! I love it so far. Just started my first good sized quilt on it. Still getting used to the stitch regulator. Nice to meet you!

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  10. What a lovely project! Well done!

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  11. Greetings Sylvia. How wonderful to share in your mom's 83rd BD. Moms are so precious!

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  12. How I love paisleys and that one is so pretty! That's a wonderful gift....will brighten many days ahead!!!! The photo of you both is so sweet, also! I didn't get the stitch regulator as I really wasn't "sold" on the concept. I have a Bernina 440QE and don't use the BSR on that, either, so figured I would not use it on Ms. Sweetie. Love my SS!! Have a bunch of "have to get finished" projects then will get to the SS pattern. I promise, I will NOT forget! (smile) Blessings, Doreen

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