Quilted placemats with matching napkin rings

 I have a habit of learning a new sewing skill right when I'm on a deadline to finish a gift for someone. I became obsessed with this Eiffel Tower fabric for my aunt when I first saw it and couldn't decide what to make. Cloth napkins? No, too straightforward. Simple flat placemats? Maybe...but what if they were quilted? Yeah! And I could make my own bias tape to trim them with! And then I saw this tutorial on Prudent Baby for making reversible napkin rings.

Of course I waited a little too long to start on these and had many sewing machine snafus along the way, but I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out and my aunt liked them a lot too when I delivered them to her at 9:30 p.m. on her birthday. Sewing right up until the last minute!

I love that they are reversible and I love all of the different options with the napkin rings. Prudent Baby's quilted table runner tutorial was a really good guide for making the placemats. I paired the Eiffel Tower fabric with some nursery print fabric from Jo-Ann's (brown with white dots) and I found the most beautiful sparkly pink buttons at Jo-Ann's during their BOGO button sale.

Another bonus? I learned how to make my own bias tape, use the one-step button hole function on my machine and do a little machine quilting, all in 3 days! The next set of placemats should be a breeze :)

So, I made my own bias tape...

It turned out pretty well. I used a combo of these great tutorials from MADE and Prudent Baby. I like the way Prudent Baby has you cut one continuous strip, but because I didn't measure and mark properly this may not be the best method for me, I cut a nice long continuous strip, but the width is inconsistent. MADE's method may take a little more time, sewing all of your shorter strips together, but for me and my lack of attention to detail with measuring and cutting, I think it will yield the best results. Yes, note to self...with sewing, measuring and cutting are rather important. 

I probably should've made my first attempt with practice fabric, but that's not my nature, so I made 10+ yards for a placemat project I'm working on. It was an enjoyable process and I can't wait to make more, I love bias tape and am so excited to be able to make my own!

I heart President's Day at Jo-Anns

BOGO buttons! What could be better. I went Saturday, Sunday, and today because I kept thinking of things I "needed" and I had to use all of my coupons, of course!

I got some great buttons for cheap, knitting needles and yarn, fabric, but my very best score of all was a little bias tape tool I needed  to make my own bias tape. I love bias tape, but I find it very cost-prohibitive if I need a substantial amount. So, I was thrilled to find it for only like $6.99. THEN, when I got to the register, it turned out to be on sale too! So there it was, for $3.49. I am so glad I didn't order it online last week and pay full price and extra for shipping!.

I know I am a big dork, but I try to be very budget conscious whenever possible. I don't make stuff by hand to be cheap, but it is an added bonus. I am happy to spend money on quality materials and tools when they are called for, but I also like a good bargain hunt and a deal whenever possible!