Hey Everyone, welcome back to Coffee Talk Saturday. No photo shoot today just cute placemats.
Almost 2 years ago I turned my Animal Party quilt into an online class called Zoo Friends at The Academy of Quilting and have been teaching it on a regular basis ever since. Registration is now open for the next class which starts October 24.
Zoo Friends Quilt
I had all these bright coloured fabrics left over from making the quilts and was just playing around one day and came up with the placemats to compliment the quilt. They could even be used as toppers for bedside tables or dressers in a child’s room. Definitely would add some colour if mine were used.
As a bonus in this class, the pattern is provided for these great little placemats. It uses the four patch star block just like in the quilt although it has been a bit elongated from the original block.
Elongated four patch star blocks
The appliqué designs are larger than in the quilt to fit in the open area of the placemat which makes for easier stitching around the pieces.
The quilting I mimicked from the original quilt in that I did free motion stippling around the animals and echo quilting in the black sashing around the stars and rectangles.
These were just as much fun to make as the quilt. I only made two though as I didn’t really need 13 placemats. It was hard to choose which ones to make though as all the animals are so cute. I chose the lion and butterfly. For both I used pretty wild and bright fabrics for the appliqué but I think it looks fabulous and would brighten up any kitchen table.
The Lion
The Butterfly
My friend Ruth of Arbee Designs decided to make a few bibs with the animals as she had a new grandchild. They were a great hit. This pattern is also a bonus with the online class.
Bibs with the fish and frog
How does an online class work? The class is set up with three lessons and extra time at the end to complete the quilt. Once a week for 3 weeks a lesson is released with each lesson focusing on a different aspect of the quilt – the four patch star blocks, the appliqué and putting it all together. You have a week to work on each lesson at your pace in your own space in the time you have available. The classroom remains open for the whole time in order to ask questions, post pictures of progress and have discussions with the instructor and other students. It is a great way to learn from the comfort of your home.
Hope to see you in class.
I think any child would like to have lunch with the animals and critters from Zoo Friends – don’t you?
Happy Quilting!
