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Sunday 10 February 2013

Log cabin mat


When I got my quilting cutting boards I knew they needed to keep them flat. The smaller size wouldn’t be a problem as it could just stay on the bench in my work room. Keeping the larger one flat, however, was going to be problem.

Other than the floor (not practical….) the only other place to keep the boards flat would be on top of my wall units.

I wanted to keep all the boards and rulers together so asked Mr Gertie if he had any spare cardboard in his workroom that could be used to make a folder to keep them secure.

Half an hour later Mr Gertie had made me a folder. Don’t get me wrong. It was just what I wanted, however it was rather boring. What it needed was a cover to put over it.

I could have made the cover out of strips, which would have been ok, but I wanted something a little more challenging.  I’ve always liked log cabin patterns but never made them. Why not now….

I didn’t want the blocks to be too big so settled on a small log cabin design using five colours.

The light colours were from old shirts whilst the rest came from left over cocktail/ evening dresses fabric.  

I only wanted to cover the outside of the folder so added a large border to the top of the work using the same dark green fabric as the longest strip.  As the edge was only going to be stapled to the cardboard, I overlocked it to prevent fraying.

Confession time: my overlocker was already set up with cream thread but instead of replacing them with either dark green or black thread I left things as they were and overlocked the edge using the cream. Only I was going to know, however, but  the cardboard wasn’t straight……

Gertie xx

PS pop over to Handmade Monday to see what other fellow craft bloggers have been up to

29 comments:

  1. I like your style! So what if it's not quite straight and bits don't always go right It's a great cover and all handmade! And overlockers are so fiddly to re-thread!

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    1. There's many a time I've wanted to throw my overlocker out of the window because I can't get the tension right after re-threading...

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  2. Cutting boards are so useful they deserve looking after and your cover is a great way to do that :)

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  3. Very clever, and of course you want something pretty to keep your tools in. Too often we make stuff for other people and don't keep anything for ourselves.

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  4. I love your use of recycled materials! A very pretty cover.

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    1. I like the challenge of mixing and matching recycled fabrics.

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  5. Ha! I feel you there, i often look at the thread already in my sewing machine and try to convince myself that it will work perfectly well for what i want to sew next... often not the case but oh well, it adds 'character'! :)

    I love the colours you've used - the splashes of red really bring the blue to life x

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    1. I once stitched a cream pillow case using white thread and a red spool. My excuse was I didn't have a spare spool...

      Thankfully no-one but me was going to see it. As you say, it adds character!!

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  6. That's impressive folder. You and your hubby make a great team.
    Ali x

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    1. One thing I lvve about Mr Gertie is he's so practical. He'll fix or make anything

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  7. Your cutting boards will be very cosy in there! I wouldn't even have attempted this design so I take my hat off to you :)

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  8. A great idea. I have just bought 10 cutting mats for my workshops and something like this to keep them in would be excellent. Hope you have a good week.

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    1. Wow 10 cutting mats !!! I'm so envious...

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  9. I've been toying with the idea of something similar for my large cutting board but I suspect mine will not be as wonderful as yours!

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    1. Having seen your wonderful creations I think yours will be lovely.

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  10. Always nice to make something bespoke and lovely for your own tools and things!

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  11. I'm a real sucker for patchwork and your one is lovely. I like the pop of red in the middle.

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  12. What a lovely creation! Patchwork is on my list of things to do this year and this is great for inspiration, thank you :)

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  13. It's gorgeous and very eye catching,especially the red.

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  14. Ohhh what a good idea - practical but very pretty :-) Simmi x

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  15. I think it looks great! Love the colors you picked. :)

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  16. This is really effective - shame to put it on top of a cupboard - it needs to be on display.

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    1. I'd love to but my work room isn't big enough...

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