O Canada Placemats

Another item on my long list of USOs (UnStarted Objects) is a set of placemats. I am happy to report that I finished them up yesterday!

Why it’s taken me this long to make these I do not know…shame on me.I did use one of the three from the panel on the back of my 150 Canadian Women quilt, but the other two continued to sit. It’s a Northcott fabric put out for Canada’s sesquicentennial in 2017 which would be (choke) when I bought these fabrics.

I used some of those leftover sesquicentennial fabrics on the backs.

These two are by Moda Fabrics

I had saved the With Glowing Hearts part of the selvage wanting to incorporate it somewhere and this seemed a good place to do just that. The four maple leaves were perfect for the other. A spot of fraycheck should help to preserve the edges, or undo the seam a bit, fold the raw edge under and stitch. I just thought of that this moment would you believe. I’m gifted with afterthought!

As you can see I kept the quilting simple for a fast finish. I had considered FMQ-ing around the map of Canada, but then said to myself, 'Don't be silly; these are placemats and will be covered with plates and cutlery, so get them done already!' I had done a simple stitch and flip so I could preserve the borders, stitching around the two with red thread. I also stitched around the maple leaf in the top right. Then I did straight lines 1" apart, more or less; one placemat was a little wonky despite me pulling on opposing corners to try to get it more on grain.

They're perfect for next year’s Canada Day on July 1, or anytime, really, especially now with our 'Elbows Up!' patriotic feelings running high.

Quilt Stats:

Size: 16" x 13"

Pattern: a preprinted panel
Fabric: Northcott Fabrics Canadian Sesquicentennial 

Batting: Hobbs Thermore

Backing: leftover chunks of Moda Fabrics With Glowing Hearts

Quilted: on my Bernina

Threads: quilted with Isacord red and Exquisite pale yellow, both 100% polyester

Fixed! Now I can wash them without worry.