Appleton Dance

F lannel binding and pocket detail of "manly" quilt From Janet D.: I wanted to make a "manly" quilt of my husband's favorite fabrics -- worn denim and soft, old flannel and I wanted it "sofa" sized because that is where he naps. I thought I had enough old blue jeans and flannel shirts and bathrobes around the house to do it which appealed to my frugal leanings.  No batting needed Virginia had told me not to put in batting as it would be too heavy and I took her advice. I cut 8 x 8-inch squares of denim, using all the parts of blue jeans that were salvagable including the pocket parts, both front and back.  I had various colors of blue including some striped. I backed them with flannel, about five different varieties, all plaid. I sewed flannel and denim squares together differently depending on what the denim was like and according to my whims. Many were with an X, some followed the pattern or seam of a pocket, some with a square and one wit...

I saw this watermelon-slice placemat at my local quilt shop, The Stitchery , and liked the look of it as well as the fact that it is a log-cabin, quilt-as-you-go design. I enjoy the quilt-as-you-go method and had never tried this log-cabin technique so I was eager to give it a try. Karen at The Stitchery said the design was " Quilt a Summertime Table Runner " by Shelley Robson from Better Homes and Gardens' spring 2007 edition of their American Patchwork magazine. I made some changes to the pattern to make a placemat for a 36-inch round table instead of a runner. My adaptation didn't turn out perfectly, but I had fun and enjoyed learning something new. I love this log-cabin, quilt-as-you-go method and want to try it again.