Week 8 in the Zakka Style sew along is a wonderfully, simple block quilt designed by Leslie Good. It is another design in the Zakka Style book of projects (compiled by Rashida Coleman-Hale) that oozes Japanese elegance. Just one teensy, weensy problem from my perspective - it is lap quilt size and I really don't need another lap quilt! You see, I have just finished one - I was given a new sewing machine for Christmas and I made a lap quilt as a way of getting used to the machine. So, what to do this Zakka Monday? I want to make every item in this wonderful little book but I also want them to be useful and practical. There is only one thing for it - I will make the item fit my needs.
After last weeks mug rug - which was my first ever mug rug I might add - I decided to resize the lap quilt to make a placemat (alternatively it could be used as a doll's quilt). This was relatively easy due to the simple block design. I reduced the original pattern down from 45" x 61" to 8" x 11". Click here for cutting and size measurements if you fancy having a go. It is a great way to use that ever growing supply of scraps.
As you can see from the picture, not all my squares ended up evenly sized but I still love the look. I am also still practising my freestyle machine quilting - will I ever get the hang of it?? But this little beauty is on my small table at present with the fruit basket placed on top. Perfect.
Michelle from I Like Orange has made the full size quilt in a wonderful denim look fabric with vibrant prints. It is stunning. She has also provided lots of links for newbie quilters - and I must agree with her - this is a perfect first quilt project.
Aside from Zakka Monday, I have been working on a journal protector for a friend at work. The front of her journal is decorated with jewels and gems and she keeps the journal in her bag wrapped in a tea-towel for protection. Well I thought I could come up with something a little bit better so I made a simple square with velcro tabs which folds over her journal.
It is reversible; one side is a lovely Parisian print and the other a green check. She particularly wanted something that is easy to open and close as she often writes little sayings or thoughts down in it. I hope this does the job otherwise it is back to the tea towel!!
I am also designing a mug rug to swap with another Zakkarist from the United States. I am using colours and fabrics that I don't normally use whilst at the same time trying to make it unique. I love the designing aspect and putting patterns and colours together and this mug rug swap is just so much fun. I can see this getting addictive just like those little Zakka magnets!! So much fabric and so little time - choices, choices, choices!!
Your mini-quilt is very cute. I've been wondering if I will have time to finish the lap quilt in this week. I'm going to try, but I do like a smaller option as well.
ReplyDeleteThink reducing the quilt to a mini was an excellent idea.
ReplyDelete