Braided Coaster Trivet

26 comments
Those of you that really know me, know I am very forgetful. I get going in one direction and then get carried away and leave what I was doing behind. I call it advanced adult onset quilt ADD. I think they should do a case study at a quilt retreat because I know I'm not the only one. I did get caught up on my google reader last week but sadly my email is bulging. If you asked me a question and I didn't answer, please email me again. Sorry about that.
The very sweet Karen sent me pictures of her dress quilt that she is making and I was going to post the incredible pictures a couple weeks ago. And then I didn't flag the email and I forgot about it. Typical me. Karen designed the lay out of the dresses and block corners in a color wave. I absolutely love it.
Look at the flair this black and white dress has. It is super cute. Karen has done such a wonderful job. Thanks for the photos Karen. The quilt is looking fabulous.
Since getting my latest 2 Japanese quilt books I've been enjoying looking at all the pretty photos and fun projects represented in the pages and dreaming of making every single thing.
This braided hot pad is so inviting. And looks so easy and fun to make. Do I have time to squeeze in a new project? Probably not. Oh well.
Of course I can't read the instructions in the book but the diagram is pretty clear. So I cut 1" strips of fabric and folded them in half. I think the instructions call for folding in the rough edges but I wanted to make it quick and raw first to see how it would work out.
The pattern really calls for making the braid with short strips of fabric in patchwork style. So I might try that for my next one. First I used yellow green and red to start. Then I sewed on different colors to enlarge the circle. Now I'll stitch them together and see how I like it. The green, red and yellow kind of look too muddled but it is ok for a first attempt.
However, I'm still tied to my machine. "V" asked what machine I quilt and sew with. I have several machines but this is the one above I use the most. I think it is about 19 years old. The last of the metal Berninas pretty much. And that handy little light my sister bought me in St. George is perfect, especially for machine quilting. I have a floor light that is pointed above my machine but doesn't give me the spot control needed and can create shadows. This little light with the movable neck gives me the control my 52 year old eyes really need.
I am really excited to see Lori Holt tonight and hear her speak to our Alpine Quilt Group. I'm finally going to meet Lori! Yipee. I promise to take lots of pictures that I'll post probably Thursday. If you haven't gone to Lori's blog to see her work, do so today! And Lori is having a giveaway this week. I am weak in the knees about it. I have mixed feelings about telling you to enter. Cuz I want to win!

I also have to tell you about 2 of my blog friends and real life friends Kim and Nedra having giveaways on their blogs, too. Kim is on Moda Bakeshop this week and Nedra is showcasing a bag made from my pattern. Go check out my friends and then come back here later in the week to see Lori's quilts.

-nanette
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26 comments

Lori Holt said...

hi Nanette- I am so excited to meet you tonight, I'm just getting my quilts together to decide which ones to bring...I'm glad Mr. Honey will be carrying them in for me!LOL
Thanks for showing the adorable braided potholder - I'll have to try that. I have made a few rugs in the past that look the same only on a larger scale by crocheting strips of fabric together with a giant 'Q' crochet hook. I want to try tiny now - you have inspired me once again!

Micki said...

I love that dress quilt...It is so different!
Micki

PamKittyMorning said...

The braided little potholder is darling, I'd probably crochet becuase then I don't have to sew it together. I'm lousy at the finishing. You always seem to get so much done. I admire that.

Have fun tonight. xo

Sherri said...

Love the dress quilt and the braided potholder...and you get to meet Lori Holt tonight!!! Lucky you! I would love to see her quilts in person. I ordered the Japanese book you showed that Jen Duncan also showed...hoping it comes this week! Have fun tonight!

Mary said...

the little braided pot holder in red, green, and yellow makes me think of corn relish! It's the exact same colors.

The dress quilt is just darling. I love quilts with dresses on them.

Anonymous said...

V. here... Precious color wave dresses!! Thanks for telling about your machine-you are busy!! I need a new one, but lack the funds so now it is just research. I love the photo with the red bow, floss and decals and towel-can't wait to see. I love the precious little girls on the needle pack. SEW CUTE!! Thanks, again. v

Di~ said...

Love that yellow bird on the dress! I've admired Lori Holt's quilts for a few years now. I first saw Gramma's Kitchen at Thimbles and Threads...I'd love to make it, but I can't afford the patterns. Pathetic, huh. I was more of her things at Quilts Etc. on the shop hop this year. Have Fun!

Nedra said...

I started your dress pattern this week too. I'll be showing more of the blocks next week after my Give Away is over.
Have SO MUCH FUN TONIGHT!
I'm turning green here in far away St.G.

Purple and Paisley said...

oh the dress quilt is fabulous! i love how she did her colors! very soon i will make mine! ☺

dotti white said...

Nanette...thanks for sharing your tendencies to get sidetracked. Me, too! I always get so many ideas rolling around in my head. I love the dress quilt you showed. I am working on one, too but I had an idea that I would like to work on. I did not save scraps from all of the dresses that I made for my girls and I would so love to make a quilt for them with those fabrics if I had them. I am thinking about posting pix of them together in some of their dresses and see if anyone has any fabric scraps that might help. I guess it would be worth a try...what do you think?

Browndirtcottage said...

Well...sounds to me like you might need a secretary......I'm off to check out Karens 'dresses'....I would LOVE to see Lori...hhmmm am I entered in the giveaways...I better go make sure

Nancy said...

What pateince you have to make those trivets. Can I get a link to karen's blog? I love the little dresses and would like to find out where the pattern is.

Thanks,

nancy

Joy said...

Oh Nanette, I know EXACTLY what you mean!! It takes all my concentration and will power to stay focussed on one particular project - sometimes I have deadlines and HAVE to finish lol. I just LOVE to flit from one project to the next. Makes life interesting :o).
Love those trivets ... I can see myself getting waylaid again LOLOL.
Hugs,
Joy :o)

Pat said...

I love the red, yellow, and green braided piece and don't think it looks muddled at all, Nanette.

Anonymous said...

love the dress quilt, the colors are so wonderful.

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Thanks for showing us the pics of Karen's quilt...gorgeous. I love the braided hot pad, how cute.

*karendianne. said...

Oh my but the dress quilt is something else, isn't it? I dig the braided hot pad. That's fantastic. I love these Japanese magazines you get and really enjoy the things you choose to share with us.

Miss L's Craft Room said...

I too have a "metal" Bernina. I bought the 1260 just as the new line was being introduced. I'm so happy I did. I LOVE this machine! On the dress quilt...gorgeous. I will definitely put this on my "to do" list.
Elaine

Unknown said...

As usual, a wonderful blog today. I am going to ask the teens next door if they want to make those coasters...so very cute and I agree, the frayed edges give the best look.
I love that dress quilt.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

I know exactly what you're talking about and I'm really glad you can't see the bed in my sewing room which is covered with at least 5 projects I've got going. (There's also a quilt in the sewing machine.)

Cathi said...

Those coasters are great! The diagrams in those Japanese quilt books are fabulously detailed!
Love, love, love that dress quilt. But then, I love that pattern of yours!

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Oh Karen's dress quilt is darling!! I have always wanted to make a rug, I will have to watch you. I wanted to get that light too, looks great, i think these old eyes would love it!! I also love to have a lot of things going at once, one to hand quilt, one to machine piece, one to cut, one to buy fabric for, and I am sure there are a ton more!!

Carrie P. said...

The dress quilt is adorable.
Great job on the braided pot holder.

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Nanette this post is full of favorites. Love the dress quilt and you have been working up a storm on your cottages and quilting. I can't wait for things to get back to normal around here.
Keep Stitchen'
Bonnie

Nan said...

Isn't it fun to see what how others interpret your designs? That dress quilt is adorable! I really like the hot pad, too. I should get a Japanese quilt book just to stare at the wonderful photos! I second your words about the bendable light - my 57 year old eyes are extremely grateful for that little gadget!

Peggy said...

I love the dress quilt any chance i could get the pattern from Karen?