Spring/Summer Placemats

I love making placemats. They are a fun easy project that doesn’t take a huge time commitment. They also are a great way to freshen up a room.

I recently made these super easy and super cute ones for my family. As a southerner, you know I love putting names on everything so added the names on these too.

Here is how I did it:

Supplies

Sewing machine (I love my Janome 15000)
4 Fat Quarters of Kona Cotton
1 yard of backing fabric (I used a neutral from Cotton + Steel Fabric)
1 Yard of batting (I used Soft n’ White)
Binding (I used this pre-made binding, but you can certainly make your own)
Sulky Cotton threads – I used Sulky bobbin thread in my bobbin and Sulky 30 wt. Cotton Blendables in colors that matched my fabrics for the top.
Sulky KK 2000 Temporary Spray Adhesive for basting
Sulky Stick ‘n Stitch for adding the names (Water soluble sticky backed stabilizer that will rinse away after we sew)
Chalk for line placement

Cutting and prepping

Cut the batting to 15″ squares and cut the back and front fabric to 16″ or 17″ squares, whatever you are comfortable with, You will square them all up at the end.

Use KK 2000 to spray baste the quilt sandwich together

Make quilt sandwiches and spray baste them with Sulky KK 2000

Go to your computer and type out the names you want on each mat in a font that is pretty wide. I use Google Docs and used font verdana. I was able to fit all 4 names on the page and then print on one sheet of Sulky Stick ‘n Stitch. I printed the names in grey instead of black so there is less ink to rinse away later.

How To Do It

If you are anything like me, you aren’t going to read all the words anyway so I will use as few words as possible. 🙂

Place the name where you want it. I put mine in the bottom right corner.

Using your chalk and a ruler, add some guidelines, beginning in the center and going out 2″ apart

Guidelines are 2″ apart

I use Sulky bobbin thread in my bobbin and 30 wt Sulky Cotton Blendables on top

Add your walking foot to your machine and begin sewing on the guidelines from the center out

Once your initial guidelines are sewn, Let’s sew the name!

Change the foot to the open toe applique foot (I don’t know if that is the real name, it’s what I call this foot) and sew around each letter. Be sure to use the locking stitch at the beginning and end of sewing each letter.

Here is the name finished and a few more quilting lines have been added.

Change back to the walking foot and use the edge of the walking foot to keep the lines straight and keep sewing in between the lines until you are the desired width apart. I sewed mine until there was approximately a 1/4″ between each line.

After all the quilting is finished, run the Stick n Stitch under water to wash the stabilizer away.

Iron the placemats partially dry and square them up as much as possible. Let them air dry after ironing.

Square up the placemats and get ready for binding!

I used premade binding for this one because it’s so cute. My stiletto and clips came in handy putting it on.

And you are done! Aren’t They sew cute….

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Free Embroidery Design and Project in honor of MLK

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – His very name evokes some kind of emotion in most people. For some, that is honor and respect. Unfortunately, for others it is anger and hatred. It is because of the later that we must continue to share his message and passion with the people around us. This is my small part to spread the love that Dr. King died to show.

I designed this project and embroidery design for Sulky a few years ago. It’s completely free. I hope you will download it and stitch it out. Even if it’s just for yourself.

Let’s all remember to side with love.

You can get the design and tutorial here.

Paper Pieced Heart Quilt

Paper piecing is a great technique that is the perfect tool when precision is key to creating the look that you want. I designed this fun quilt for Sulky using two different paper piecing techniques. This is a great way to learn how to do these on a simple quilt so you can use them on a more complicated quilt later! You don’t have to be intimidated by paper piecing. Once you know the basics and the tips I show you here, you are ready to tackle any pattern your heart desires.

The full pattern including the templates are on the Sulky website.

Enjoy the pattern and let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Sew Emoji Pillowcase

I am thrilled to be a part of the Sew Emoji Blog Hop! I love Gailen Runge (check out the post I did for her Kraft Tex bag book here) and these emojis were sew fun to make.

My nephew Sammy is in love with emojis so I decided to make him a pillowcase.
I gathered my supplies first: Fabric, Sulky Cotton and PolyDeco thread, Steam-A-Seam 2 and the Sew Emoji book.

Since I will probably make more emojis, I drew the circle and the poo emoji on Sulky Totally Stable® so I could use it over and over.

The book has wonderful directions so the emojis and pillowcase were easy to make (Thanks Gailen!). I used white Sulky PolyDeco in top and bobbin for construction.

I personalized the pillowcase by adding Sammy’s name to it. My Janome Quilt Maker Memory Craft 15000 has amazing fonts already built in so it was super quick and easy to add his name.

I think he will love this pillowcase! If you don’t already have the book, you can get it here.

As a side note, my nephew is autistic and April is autism awareness month! If you don’t know much about autism, or want to know how you can help people and families affected by autism, check out the Autism Speaks website here.

Happy Emoji Sewing!

Modern 70’s Look Hand Embroidery

I have been doing some hand embroidery every night for years. I love the design from Indygo Junction’s “Stitched Style” book.

It has 20 great hand projects that are easy and hip. They are a modern take on the 70’s which I love.

I have used several of the designs from this book for various projects, but one of my favorites is this little business card holder. I use it everyday!

I started by printing the design on Sulky Stick ‘n Stitch and grabbing a spool of Sulky 12 wt. cotton.

Just stitch through the Stick n Stitch.

When you are finished stitching, wash the Stick n Stitch away, stitch up the card holder and you are ready to go.

Matchstick Quilting for Sulky’s Block Party

I was honored to be asked to participate in Sulky’s Block Party this year. Since Matchstick quilting is one of my favorites, I featured a block using this technique and using the negative space to spell out my name.

Here are some pictures:

Read the full blog post here.

Why I Became The Southern Sewist

Thank you for joining me in my brand new adventure. If you read my bio, you already know I love to sew and create, but you also know I love my family.

My family on vacation

In 2018, I realized that my job, although it was my dream job, was keeping me away from my family too often. My two daughters are in middle school and they need me to be home now more than any other time in their life.

So I talked to some good friends in the industry, I prayed and talked with my family. We brainstormed, cried, argued and prayed some more. That is when the idea for Southern Sewist came to me.

I decided to start this website that will hopefully grow into a brand. Here is where I will continue to bring you all the tutorials, new designs, advice and tips that I previously did for Sulky. You will probably still see me doing guests blog posts and projects for Sulky!

I hope you will join me, talk with me and help me along. I am excited (and a little scared) to start this great journey with you.