Squares & Triangles: Fall Placemats

A cute and quick decorating fix for the fall table that's pairs perfectly with the Sauares and Triangles table runner.

Wonderful way to dress up the table.

Use the same fabrics or mix it up with different colored leaves for each placemat. Here we use the cheater sandwich technique to quickly create beautiful quilted placemats.

• Small Square - 2"
• Triangle - 2x2x2.8 right angle 
• Border - 2" long rectangle 
• Base fabric - desired placemat size 
• Batting 
• Backing fabric 

Were going to use cardboard patterns of he desired shapes to iron our fabric pieces around to achieve crisp edges and corners. Don't forget to snip the extra fabric from the corners of the triangles! Begin by piling the base fabric on top of the batting and backing fabric making sure right sides are facing out. 

Find the center of the base fabric and begin by placing the first small square on the center point, continue pinning down the remaining squares and triangles to create the leaf. Next, using the border fabric ensure that one ironed under edge is ironed under twice, lending a smooth edge to the turned under side, this is going to be the outside edge that wraps under the base sandwich to seal the placemat. 

Once the border is pinned in place situate the four accent triangles, one in each corner and pin down. 

Sewing these cheater sandwiches is quick, take care to stay near the edge of each piece and to sew down each edge. With these I like to use a wide zig-zag stitch running down the seam between the blocks. 

Holiday Stars Table Runner

Another "cheater" quilt pattern, devised by my mother, is this three fabric holiday star table runner.

It utilizes the same principle of cutting cardboard patterns to iron the pieces around and pinning them into place on top of the "sandwich" with right sides facing out, then sewing them down. I love this cheater style with precision pieces that require points to match up perfectly.

Holiday Stars 

Here we use:

• Small triangles - 3.5" equilateral triangles 
• Hexagon & large triangles - 7" equilateral triangles & 4" sided hexagons
• Base fabric 12" x desired length rectangle.

The difference with this project is that to decrease the amount of ironing, we can sew the small triangles to the hexagon before ironing under the edges. Make sure to leave 1/4" hanging over each hexagon edge, and use a 1/4" seam allowance. 

The star is one unit

Also, the large triangles only require 2 sides to be ironed under.

Assemble the pieces with the points all meeting in the center of the base fabric rectangle, 6" from either edge starting from the center of the base fabric and working out to the ends. 

We'll finish off this piece with the small triangles' fabric as a 1" border around the whole thing. 

Squares and Triangles

This beautiful table runner is super simple to make, and is the first piece I made quilting in the midwest. Using a ton of pins and a iron you can create this festive set too.

Fall leaves are great all season.

Begin by selecting four fabrics that highlight one another, using a mix of light and dark fabrics lends a nice drama to the finished quilt. As well as material for the back, and either interfacing (for a thin runner) or batting (for a puffier runner).

• Outer border & triangles 
• Large square 
• Small square
• Base color 

Next measure and cut cardboard templates of each shape. Shoebox cardboard work best, its thin and durable.

• Large square -  5 & 3/4"
• Small square - 5"
• Triangle 3x3x5 (right angle)
• Border - 2"  

Cardboard cutouts, iron, pins and sewing machine.

The "cheater" part of this style is that you don't have to be precise in cutting the fabric, nor with stitching perfect seam allowances. Each piece is ironed into its designated shape using the cardboard templates, and arranged on top of the base fabric then pinned into place.

Before sewing, add the batting and back fabric to create a "sandwich" with the right sides facing out. Add few pins to make the sandwich stick together while you sew.

Using a color thread that either highlights or hides will give your table runner a different look. Here I went with a light yellow that is just visible, but not a huge contrast to the color scheme. Sew just along the edges of the pinned down shapes, taking great care to not let the stitching waver.

I like to finish the edges by wrapping the border fabric around to the back and ironing the edge under and hand sewing it down for a clean look.

Unconventional Quilting

Moved to the midwest and sure enough, started quilting. Stereotypical no?

Quilting for me is a way to stay connected with my mother, despite the thousand miles separating us, and with the memory of my grandmother, whom has passed away.

Did I take lessons? No. Did I spend hours working with others quilters learning the art? No. Did I take classes or lessons? Nope.

I jumped in and got creative! I love the mental game of figuring out patterns and finding new ways to do things. For my first few projects I devised a way of "cheating" that requires a whole lot of pins, but gives great, precise results.

Since then I have branched out into more conventional methods of quilting, always pushing a little farther and learning a great deal more with every project.

Best Apple Pancakes

Who doesn't love a warm kitchen on a cold morning and the smell of cinnamon and apples? These apple pancakes are quick, simple and honest. Top with a touch of good maple syrup for a taste that will have you wanting these everyday!

Ingredients

1 cup Heart Smart Bisquick mix

1/2 cup Skim Milk

1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 Apple - peeled and sliced thinly I recommend a honey crisp or fuji apple

Vegetable oil (1tbs worked into nutrition)

In a medium sized mixing bowl add the Bisquick and cinnamon using a fork mix in the vanilla extract and milk until just combined. Toss in the apple slices and coat in the batter, make sure not to let the apple pieces stick together. The batter is going to be thick, but nothing a spoon and spatula can't handle.

In a large non-stick skillet heat just enough vegetable oil to coat the bottom of the pan (we're not deep frying these). When the oil sputters with a few drops of water it's ready.

I usually make four pancakes from this. Adjust the apple slices in the pan so they aren't all piled up in one spot and allow to cook for three minutes on each side on medium heat. With the apples inside they take longer than regular pancakes, don't be afraid to flip them multiple times to ensure they are done all the way through.

Serve with a hot cup of coffee and a little good quality maple syrup for a heart warming breakfast.

Nutrition Information

Makes 2 servings

• Calories 324
• Fat 11g
• Carbohydrates 55g
• Protein 6g
• Fiber 4g