Hello friends and welcome to the Minnesota Designer blog hop. For those of you that are new here, I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. My name is Gudrun and I am actually a Minnesota transplant! I am originally from Iceland and just moved to Chanhassen, Minnesota 6 years ago with my husband Torir and 3 kids; son Atli (now 16), son Gisli (9) and daughter Svana (7 going on 17). My pattern company GE Designs was started in Iceland with my pattern designs in Icelandic only and since being in the States I have designed books and patterns in english. In 2006 I designed my first fabric line with Red Rooster Fabrics and last quilt market in May we just introduced fabric line number 7 called Glow, which will be in stores this fall. Working from home, doing something I absolutely love is such a blessing for me. We love being in Minnesota and my kids are talking like true Minnesotan's already.... ya you betcha!!
I decided to do a "Quilt As You Go" pattern for my tutorial in the blog hop to celebrate my new book that just came out last month, Fast & Furious - quilting as you go. It has 17 smaller projects in it that are all done with the quilt as you go method. Included are table runners, baby quilts, placemats, bags and coasters and many of them are done with the precut fabric cuts out there (charms, jelly rolls, honey buns....)
Be sure to say hi in the comments to be able to win a kit to make 4 of the Anytime Placemats out of my Glow fabric along with a Fast & Furious book!! And if you visit all the other designers in the hop and post your comment, you will be eligible for the grand prize drawing.
Enjoy the Anytime Placemats!!
Fabric Requirements for 2 placemats
Fabric A: Fat Quarter
Fabric B: Fat Quarter
Fabric C: Fat Eight
Fabric D: 2/3 yd.
Backing: 1/2 yd.
Batting: Two 15" x 18" rectangles
Cutting for 2 placemats:
Fabric A: Cut Two 8-1/2" x 12-1/2" rectangles.
Fabric B: Cut Four 5-1/2" squares, Four 3-1/2" squares and Four 1-1/2" squares.
Fabric C: Cut Four 4-1/2" squares and Four 2-1/2" squares.
Fabric D: Cut Eight 2-1/2" strips.
Baste your backing and batting together using fusible batting or with a basting spray. Center a fabric A rectangle on the batting, right side up and pin down.
Draw a line on the back of all the squares cut from fabric B and C. Layer two 5-1/2" fabric B squares on two corners of the fabric A rectangle, right sides together, exactly as shown. Pin down.
Using a walking foot on your machine and a bobbin thread matching your backing, stitch on the lines. When starting and ending each seam, sew a few stitches in the same place to secure threads.
Trim the seam allowance to a 1/4" with scissors and press out.
Layer two 4-1/2" fabric C squares on the two corners with the fabric B triangles, right sides together, exactly as shown. Pin down. Sew on the line, trim and press.
Follow the same method as before with the 3-1/2" fabric B squares on top of the fabric C triangles by sewing, trimming and pressing.
Do the same with the 2-1/2" fabric C squares and then the 1-1/2" fabric B squares. Press.
Layer a 2-1/2" border strip on the top and bottom edge of your center units, trim them to the right length and stitch down with a 1/4" seam allowance. Press out.
Repeat with the two sides of the placemat and press.
Sew the rest of the 2-1/2" strips together into a long strip, press it in half lengthwise and add binding to the placemat.
I hope you enjoyed the Anytime Placemat tutorial. Remember to comment to be able to win the prize!!
This blog hop is wonderful. Thanks for the pattern. I will add it to my "to do" list.
Posted by: Gloria | July 03, 2009 at 09:53 AM
Fast and wow 756 comments so far..I have cut the fabric for your placemats and hope to finish them this holiday..thanks for offering the instructions...they are very clear and so are your pictures!
Posted by: carol | July 03, 2009 at 09:09 AM
I love this quilt as you go placemat and plan to use them togather to make a tote bag. Thanks for the great tutorial.
Barbara
Posted by: Barbara York | July 03, 2009 at 01:14 AM
I hope to try this pattern using my Christmas fabrics.
Posted by: Donna Gober | July 02, 2009 at 11:32 PM
I love the placemats. I have the perfect Christmas fabrics to make these.
Posted by: Donna Gober | July 02, 2009 at 10:48 PM
thanks so much for all the fun things you have shown, I really enjoyed all the ideas, and one more day to go. what will the last day bring???
Posted by: Virginia | July 02, 2009 at 08:54 PM
This is a great technique! I like the stacked corners. Simple to do, but it makes for a really interesting look. I also REALLY like the fabrics! I'm assuming they're from the new line. I like it, and will be looking for it.
Posted by: Lydia | July 02, 2009 at 02:02 PM
I love the use of the triangles to do those diagonal lines, very clever! Thanks for the tutorial and the chance at the giveaway.
Posted by: Liz B | July 02, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Love your tutorial!!!!! Thanks
Posted by: Susan | July 02, 2009 at 07:53 AM
I love your placemat tutorial, I haven' tried a quilt as you go yet.
Thanks
Glenda
Posted by: Glenda | July 01, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Happy Anniversay Gudrun!!! I know your "sister" is smiling at you. Virginia
Posted by: Virginia | July 01, 2009 at 07:39 PM
What a fun way to whip up some placemats...I'm headed to my stash right now;) Thanks for the HOP
Posted by: Karen aka Grammy Mac | July 01, 2009 at 04:47 PM
I'm kinda of late in participating in this
blog hop but I believe it's better to be late than never. What a GREAT idea and expossure to a lot of interesting patterns
and ideas. Thanks for creating it!!
Posted by: Genia Sheerman | July 01, 2009 at 02:55 PM
I got a late start to the blog hop, just found out about it! I love these placemats, I forsee quite a few different ones in my sewing future. Your designs are so awesome, I love all of the strip quilt patterns! Keep up the great work!
Posted by: Cindy Young | July 01, 2009 at 11:16 AM
What a great idea, this blog hop! I'm late in starting, but love the idea. Whoever won the drawing on the 22nd must have been delighted! Love your pattern. Welcome to Minnesota!
Posted by: Barb Hanson | July 01, 2009 at 10:36 AM
Great pattern! I have been looking for a wonderful placemat pattern and I love the mix of colors.
Posted by: Mary Anne | July 01, 2009 at 10:08 AM
Neat project!!
Posted by: Lynda L | July 01, 2009 at 07:53 AM
Sniðugar diskamottur.
Posted by: Brynja Thorarinsdottir | July 01, 2009 at 06:04 AM
I love those corner stripes! Thank you for sharing your lovely pattern.
Posted by: rustybird | June 30, 2009 at 11:49 PM
I just found out about this. I hope it's not too late. Wow what a fun idea. I've never blogged before. It's not too scary. Thank you for the quilt as you go pattern. It sounds like fun.
Posted by: Carol Kietzman | June 30, 2009 at 10:43 PM
What a wonderful project to use on those odd sized leftover batting pieces. Will whip up some placemats for this weekends BBQ!
Thanks!
~Ann B
Posted by: Ann Barlament | June 30, 2009 at 10:38 PM
Loved reading about how you came to Minnesota. Welcome and hope Minnesota Nice is living up to its name. Can't wait to try the pattern.
Posted by: Arlene | June 30, 2009 at 10:22 PM
Hi and Thanks for sharing the placemat pattern! It looks like a fun technique and I look forward to giving it a try!
Posted by: Yvonne | June 30, 2009 at 06:45 PM
It looks so easy to make.
I also love your placemats using Figgy Pudding showed at quilt market.
Posted by: Meg99 | June 30, 2009 at 06:14 PM
What cute placemats!
Posted by: Rebecca | June 30, 2009 at 05:48 PM
I'm so not a poster but this just sounds like such a great thing .I'm hooked . I've got plans for the place mats already . Thanks for such a wonderful idea .Keep Blogging :O)
Beth
Posted by: Beth Macdonald | June 30, 2009 at 02:49 PM
I love the as you go technique as I don't own a quilting machine! thanks!
Posted by: Dawn DeMulling | June 30, 2009 at 12:10 PM
wow! just got the address for this today blog hop today! what fun! I have a week of catching up to do!!
Paula
Posted by: Paula Hjelle | June 30, 2009 at 11:28 AM
I am a newbie to this "blogging stuff" ....
anyhow, each day I search for the comment site for each designer..... I have posted comments on their site, or is Gudruns site the official posting site??? I sure want to get my "hat" in the ring for the grand prize. That would be terrific. I have learned many new ideas. I have sewn for many years, but not to the extent that I do now. My daughter rekindled my passion for quilting again. I think that session in Rogers should be attended by this old novice. Virginia
Posted by: Virginia | June 30, 2009 at 07:47 AM
Thank you for the tutorial. Although my placemat came out crooked, I will try again.
Posted by: Carol Radcliffe | June 30, 2009 at 05:31 AM
Love this pattern and have others of your too! Thanks.
Posted by: Sherri Osborn | June 29, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Hello Gudrun ... Welcome to America. I just received your Blog Hop invitation from a friend who knows I love to quilt. I am a week behind but know I am going to enjoy visiting and reading the 10 designers blogs. What a fun idea. Your Anyday Placemats tutorial is great. Thank you for sharing this pattern. I will look for your new book and fabric at my local quilt shops.
Posted by: Darly Dulion | June 29, 2009 at 08:45 PM
the blog shop hop is a great idea. I just bought your Fast and Furious book - there are lots of great projects in it.
Posted by: Pat F. | June 29, 2009 at 05:10 PM
Thanks for introducing the USA to a whole batch of great designers from Minnesota! Great job organizing!
Posted by: bscotland | June 29, 2009 at 03:42 PM
I love them! Great tips! Many thanks!
Posted by: Dandelion Quilts | June 29, 2009 at 12:35 PM
welcome to mn.! thanks for the pattern. karen
Posted by: karen schalekamp | June 29, 2009 at 11:13 AM
Oh I love this. Can't wait to dig through my fabrics and make one...or two...or six.
Posted by: Debbie Cameron | June 29, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Thank you for the lovely placemat tutorial.
Posted by: Siv | June 29, 2009 at 06:57 AM
Beatiful placemate.
Posted by: Mona Ragnhildrød | June 29, 2009 at 12:59 AM
welcome to you and your family to MN. We welcome all quilters.
Posted by: Liz Tarr | June 28, 2009 at 05:19 PM
Great idea. The placemats look like fun.
Posted by: Lisa E. | June 28, 2009 at 11:15 AM
I love the placemats and can't wait to try them. Thanks!
Posted by: Jennifer Grady | June 28, 2009 at 09:32 AM
Nice tutorial - good luck with the blog hop
Posted by: Sølvi in Norway | June 28, 2009 at 08:09 AM
Thank you for the free pattern, I cannot wait to experiment with it and will look for your book when I get to the quilt store!!
Posted by: Debbie b. | June 28, 2009 at 08:00 AM
Hello Gudrun - I will be looking for your book in my local quilt shops. Thank you fo rhte great place mat pattern!!
Posted by: Bev Dixon | June 27, 2009 at 08:40 PM
Cute! So glad I found the blog hop. Nice to meet you...
Posted by: Sharon in FL | June 27, 2009 at 08:11 PM
Loved the placemat tutorial! Thanks. This blog hop was a great idea, lots of fun!
Posted by: KathyC | June 27, 2009 at 07:49 PM
Never though I would do a placemat, but I changed my mind when I saw your tutorial - even though I may be a few days late with my comment! Thanks so much!
Posted by: Barb | June 27, 2009 at 05:12 PM
I love the place mats thanks for sharing
Posted by: Cherie Catanesi | June 27, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Thanks for the blog hop. It's great fun.
Posted by: Cleopatra | June 27, 2009 at 04:22 PM